# NTSB CEN13CA031: Cessna 150, N5978E, Carrollton, OH, October 24, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 24, 2012, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, OH
- Coordinates: 40.561389, -81.078056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5614&lon=-81.0781&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85428/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85428
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA031

## Probable cause

The airplane’s collision with two deer during the takeoff 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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071802), [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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, two deer ran out onto the runway. The propeller struck one deer and the second deer was struck by the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The empennage was twisted and partially separated at the aft bulkhead and the right horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft and bent up. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane before the impact.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, two deer ran out onto the runway. The airplane struck one deer with the propeller and the second deer with the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The empennage was twisted and partially separated at the aft bulkhead and the right horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft and bent up. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5978E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5978E-2013-02-14), registration cancelled 2013-02-14, S/N 17478, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17478
- Airframe hours: 2752.5
- Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2012, 8.5 hours before
- Departed: KTSO, Carrollton, OH
- Destination: KACK, Akron, OH
- Airport: KTSO, Carroll County-Tolson Airport, runway 25, 4,297 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 19 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KPHD, 17 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 20121024024129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121024024129A), Oct 24, 2012: Cessna 150, Carrollton, OH, Substantial damage. During takeoff just as the pilot began to initiate rotation, two deer struck the aircraft. This caused the PIC to stop rotation and maintain control of the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85428. 393 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 393 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381215&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.

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