# NTSB CEN11CA025: Cessna 182Q, N759BJ, Sparta, MI, October 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 21:00 local (Oct 2, 2010, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Sparta, MI - Coordinates: 43.460556, -85.678337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4606&lon=-85.6783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-GRR-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77622/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77622 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA025 ## Probable cause An inadvertent collision with a deer during a night takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis Just after the airplane lifted off the runway surface during the night takeoff, the pilot observed two deer crossing the runway from left to right. He stated that one deer was in front of him and the other was to the left of his path. He pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to avoid the deer at which time he heard a loud "bang." The pilot reported that he missed the deer that he observed and contacted a third deer that he did not see. The pilot continued the flight to his destination where he made an uneventful landing. The injured deer was located at the departure airport. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative The pilot observed two deer crossing the runway from left to right just after he rotated during the night takeoff. He stated one deer was in front of him and the other was to the left of his path. He pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to avoid the deer at which time he heard a loud "bang." The pilot reported he believes he missed the deer that he observed and contacted a third deer that he did not see. The pilot continued the flight to his destination where he made an uneventful landing. The injured deer was located at the departure airport. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N759BJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759BJ), registered now, S/N 18265860, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18265860 - Airframe hours: 4596 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth A. Thompson - Registered owner: Mohawk Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2010, 15 hours before - Departed: 8D4, Sparta, MI - Destination: GRR, Grand Rapids, MI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 8D4, Miller - Sparta Airport, runway 25, 4,033 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 568 total, 143 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 16 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 20101001047999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001047999A), Oct 1, 2010: Cessna 182Q, Sparta, MI, Minor damage. Pilot stated that he was departing runway 25 at Paul c. Miller airport at Sparta at about 2100 EST on October 1, 2010. After rotation he observed two deer… ## Other investigations on N759BJ (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 ATL88LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA148), Apr 17, 1988: Cessna 182Q (N759BJ), Lowell, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77622. 647 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.