# NTSB CEN15CA013: Piper PA-28-181, N2817X, Ann Arbor, MI, October 10, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2014, 19:59 local (23:59 UTC) - Place: Ann Arbor, MI - Coordinates: 42.223056, -83.745552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2231&lon=-83.7456&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 November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration;East Michigan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90267/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90267 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA013 ## Probable cause The 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident occurred as she was practicing nighttime takeoffs and landings. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane was rotating for liftoff, the airplane collided with a deer on the runway. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff on the remaining runway. Following the accident a portion of the deer was found wrapped around the nose landing gear. Further examination revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and firewall as result of the collision with the deer. The pilot reported that, before the collision with the deer, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the accident occurred as she was practicing nighttime takeoffs and landings. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane was rotating for liftoff, the airplane collided with a deer on the runway. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff on the remaining runway. Following the accident a portion of the deer was found wrapped around the nose landing gear. Further examination revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and firewall as result of the collision with the deer. The pilot reported that, before the collision with the deer, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2817X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2817X-2016-07-11), registration cancelled 2016-07-11, S/N 28-7990457, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990457 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 6693 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: BVD Co Flying Club - Registered owner: BVD Co Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2014, 4 hours before - Departed: ARB, Ann Arbor, MI - Destination: ARB, Ann Arbor, MI - Airport: ARB, Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,505 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,000 total, 473 in this make and model, 827 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: ARB ## 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 20141010018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141010018449A), Oct 10, 2014: Piper PA-28-181, Ann Arbor, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on take off roll for the 3rd take off of the evening, runway 06 at arb. At approx. 65 KTS, pilot looked down to check instruments, looked up as… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90267. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 6 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airframe Damage Overview (item 4, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airframe%20Damage%20Overview-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Forward Fuselage and Firewall (item 5, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Forward%20Fuselage%20and%20Firewall-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.