# NTSB CEN12CA419: Grumman American AA-5A, N26181, Ray Township, MI, July 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2012, 20:30 local (Jul 7, 2012, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Ray Township, MI - Coordinates: 42.736946, -82.888885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7369&lon=-82.8889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 84193 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA419 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84193/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84193 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA419 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a deer that ran in front of the airplane during the landing roll. ## 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: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3960106), [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: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After the airplane touched down, the pilot noticed two deer on the left side of the runway. One deer ran across the runway and was struck by the airplane’s left wing tip. The impact caused the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway onto the grass. The pilot raised the flaps, applied right brake/rudder and full power in an attempt to go around. The airplane lifted off momentarily and then struck a runway light. The pilot abandoned the go-around attempt. The airplane traveled across the runway and stopped in an open field. Both of the wings sustained leading edge damage, the nose gear was sheared off, and the lower engine cowling was crushed. The underside of the fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer were also substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative During landing touchdown the pilot noticed two deer to the left of the runway. One deer ran across the runway and was struck by the airplane’s left wing tip. The impact caused the airplane to veer to the left off the runway and onto the grass median. The pilot raised the flaps, applied right brake/rudder and full power in an attempt to go-around. The airplane lifted off momentarily, and then struck a runway light. The pilot abandoned the go-around attempt. The airplane traveled across the runway into an open bean field and stopped. Both wings sustained leading edge damage, the nose gear was sheared off, and the lower engine cowling was crushed. The underside of the fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer were also substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26181](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26181-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N AA5A0469, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American Aviation AA-5A - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5A0469 - Airframe hours: 4635 - Engines: Lycoming 0-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Berz Flight Training, Inc. - Registered owner: Snoopy Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2012 - Departed: K57D, Ray Township, MI - Destination: K57D, Ray Township, MI - Airport: K57D, Ray Community Airport, runway 09, 2,494 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 2 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KMTC, 8 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 20120706014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120706014119A), Jul 6, 2012: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A, Ray, MI, Substantial damage. Upon touchdown for landing on runway 9 at 57D the aircraft bounced 2 to 3' into the air and the pilot saw 2 deer jump up off the left side of the runway. One… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84193. 1.2 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-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.