# NTSB ATL93LA076: Cessna 180, N2738K, Jonesboro, GA, April 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1993, 12:33 local (16:33 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, GA
- Coordinates: 33.519783, -84.349754 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5198&lon=-84.3498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA076

## Probable cause

The pilot's abrupt and excessive swerve to avoid a deer on the runway. A factor was the strong crosswind that precluded the pilot's directional control recovery.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2738K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1853052
- Airframe hours: 1296
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ellis, Donald E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1992, 57 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MCDONOUGH, GA
- Destination: 9A7
- Airport: 9A7, South Expressway, runway 6, 2,980 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 5 nm away

## 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 19930417010859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930417010859A), Apr 17, 1993: Cessna 180, Jonesboro, GA, Substantial damage. On landing roll swerved to avoid a deer. Lost control. Ran off runway into a ditch and nosed over.

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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