# Accident 20251104016669A: Cessna 172M, Grantsburg, WI, November 4, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 4, 2025, 18:00 local time
- Place: Grantsburg, WI
- Airport: Grantsburg Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.7999° N, 92.6688° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7999&lon=-92.6688&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9490H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9490H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 757 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA035) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251104016669A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PIC WAS ON AN IFR APPROACH AN HOUR PAST SUNSET. AS THE PILOT FLARED TO LAND, HER RIGHT WING STROBE LIGHT BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED A DEER WHICH WAS RUNNING FROM THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND SHORT OF TOUCHDOWN, BUT THE DEER STRUCK THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ON GO-AROUND THE PIC OBSERVED REDUCED CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND RIGHT YAW BUT FELT SHE MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT CONSIDERED RETURNING TO LAND BUT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO AN AIRPORT TEN MILES AWAY AFTER SUSPECTING THERE MAY BE MORE DEER ACTIVITY OR A DEAD DEER ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE. SHE FELT THAT AIRPORT LIGHTING DID NOT ALLOW FOR A SAFE LANDING. THE PILOT NOTIFIED ATC THAT SHE HAD A DEER STRIKE AND REQUESTED TO DIVERT. ATC GRANTED THE REQUEST. THE PIC LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO NOTED HUMAN INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER’S LEADING EDGE, RIBS, SPAR, AND UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN26LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA035), Nov 5, 2025: Cessna 172 (N9490H), Grantsburg, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The collision with a white-tail deer during the landing in dark night visual conditions.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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