# NTSB ATL03CA135: Piper PA-28-140, N3542K, Murfreesboro, TN, September 1, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2003, 19:44 local (Sep 1, 2003, 00:44 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Coordinates: 35.877223, -86.377502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8772&lon=-86.3775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Nashville FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03CA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03CA135

## Probable cause

An on-ground collision with an animal (deer) during an attempted takeoff. .

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

During take off at approximately 70 knots a deer charged the airplane. The power was reduced to idle and the deer struck the airplane. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right front engine cowling, and bending of the propeller. The right side of the firewall was buckled.

## Factual narrative

On August 31, 2003, at 1944 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3542K, registered to Max Air Inc., and operated by a certified flight instructor (CFI) collided with a deer during takeoff roll on runway 18 at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the CFI and private pilot were not injured. The local flight originated from Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at 1942, on August 31, 2003.

According to the flight instructor during take off at approximately 70 knots a deer charged the airplane. The power was reduced to idle and the deer struck the airplane. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass. The airplane came to rest on a 355-degree magnetic heading.  Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right front engine cowling, and bending of the propeller. The right side of the firewall was buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3542K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3542K), registered now, S/N 28-23617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23617
- Airframe hours: 5610
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2003, 10 hours before
- Departed: KMBT, Murfreesboro, TN
- Destination: KMBT, Murfreesboro, TN
- Airport: KMBT, Murfreesboro Airport, runway 18, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 19; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 1, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 697 total, 260 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 106 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KBNA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030831023329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030831023329A), Aug 31, 2003: Piper PA28140, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Murfreesboro airport, deer hit aircraft while on take/off roll, damaging right front engine cowling and firewall. Flight instructor on right side of…

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.

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