# NTSB CEN11CA501: Piper PA-32-260, N3815W, Bolivar, MO, July 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2011, 20:23 local (Jul 22, 2011, 01:23 UTC) - Place: Bolivar, MO - Coordinates: 37.596111, -93.347778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5961&lon=-93.3478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA501 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81205/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81205 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA501 ## Probable cause The collision with a deer during landing at an airport with known wildlife activity. ## 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103206), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing flare and touchdown, the aiplane struck a deer. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing leading edge, which was part of the integral fuel tank. The Airport Facility Directory remarks for the airport stated that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The airplane was landing at the destination airport when it struck a deer upon touchdown. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing leading edge, which was part of the integral fuel tank. The pilot stated that the airport had not been recently mowed and the vegetation along each side of the runway was more than 36 inches high, which may have acted as an attractant to wildlife. The Airport Facility Directory remarks for the airport stated that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3815W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3815W), registered now, S/N 32-746, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-746 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2011 - Departed: 2MO1, Willard, MO - Destination: M17, Bolivar, MO - Airport: M17, Bolivar Municipal Airport, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 20, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 24,968 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 24,200 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 22 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 20110721016019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110721016019A), Jul 21, 2011: Piper PA-32-260, Bolivar, MO, Substantial damage. The aircraft was landing on runway 36 at Bolivar Municipal Airport (M17), Bolivar, Missouri. As the aircraft flared and just before touch down, a deer ran in… ## Other investigations on N3815W (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 DIA68D0197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0197), Jan 30, 1968: Piper PA-32 (N3815W), Rural Retreat, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81205. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Airport Facility Directory (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Facility%20Directory-Master.PDF - FAA Photo of Damage (item 4, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo%20of%20Damage-Master.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.