# NTSB BFO91LA005: Cessna C152, N757RM, Bridgeport, WV, October 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1990, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, WV
- Coordinates: 39.289844, -80.249412 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2898&lon=-80.2494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH DEER WHICH HAD MOVED ONTO THE RUNWAY DURING THEIR TAKEOFF ROLL. THE DARK NIGHT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT BY LIMITING THE PILOTS' VISUAL OUTLOOK.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous (cause)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND DUAL STUDENT WERE DEPARTING ON A LOCAL NIGHT FLIGHT, WHEN THE TOWER INFORMED THEM ABOUT SEVERAL DEER WALKING ON THE AIRPORT. THE CFI STATED THAT A LANDING AIRCRAFT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR, SO THEY TAXIED INTO POSITION FOR TAKEOFF. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED ROTATION SPEED, THE PILOTS NOTICED TWO DEER ON THE RUNWAY IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE CFI REDUCED POWER AND VEERED RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE COLLISION, BUT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ONE OF THE DEER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757RM-2007-12-28), registration cancelled 2007-12-28, S/N 15279944, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15279944
- Airframe hours: 6389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kci Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 1990
- Airport: CKB, Benedum, runway 21

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,010 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19901020046619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901020046619A), Oct 20, 1990: Cessna 152, Clarksburg, WV, Substantial damage. Saw deer on runway, aborted and swerved but left horizontal stabilizer struck one of the deer.

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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