ATL93LA076

The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane in a strong left crosswind. As the airplane touched down, a deer darted across the runway, from the right. He swerved abruptly to the right to avoid the deer, and was unable to recover directional control. The left wing dragged the ground and the airplane nosed over when it rolled into a shallow, wide ditch.

On April 17, 1993, at about 1233 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, N2738K, veered out of control, during an attempt to avoid a deer, while landing at Jonesboro, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot, while the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was a private airstrip at McDonough, Georgia at about 1145 on the same day.

The pilot reported that a deer crossed the runway, just as he touched down with the left wheel on runway 06. A left crosswind existed. He swerved right to avoid colliding with the deer, and was unable to recover from the abrupt maneuver. The left wing contacted the ground, the left wheel was locked with the brakes, and the airplane hit a ditch about 150 feet to the right side of the runway. It then nosed over. Examination of the accident site revealed that there were fresh deer tracks leading from the woods adjacent to the taxiway to the runway.