# NTSB CEN24LA235: Piper PA-28-180, N32426, Crete, NE, June 21, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 20, 2024, 22:45 local (Jun 21, 2024, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Crete, NE - Coordinates: 40.618377, -96.925709 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6184&lon=-96.9257&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194522 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194522/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194522 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA235 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a deer on the runway during a touch-and-go landing. ## 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; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102808), [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; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102808), [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); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff phase of a night touch-and-go landing, a deer ran out across the runway from right to left. The airplane collided with the deer and the pilot rejected the takeoff. The right wing and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32426](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32426), registered now, S/N 28-7505059, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-7505059 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 6927 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 2024 - Departed: BIE, Beatrice, NE - Destination: CEK, Crete, NE - Airport: CEK, Crete Muni, runway 17/35, 4,201 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 570 total, 481 in this make and model, 499 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KLNK, 16 nm away - METAR: KLNK 210354Z 15007KT 10SM CLR 27/21 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP199 T02670211 ## 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 20240620008049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240620008049A), Jun 20, 2024: Piper PA-28-180, Crete, NE, Substantial damage. The aircraft was performing take offs and landings for night currency. During one of the touch and go sequences a deer ran onto the runway and was struck by… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194522. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17390537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Incident%20Report_Crete_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17390746&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA235%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Cek chart supplement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17390736&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AFD-Rel.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.