# NTSB CEN26LA054: Lou Malinchak Titan T-51D, N251LM, Bristow, OK, November 26, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 26, 2025, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Bristow, OK
- Coordinates: 35.796264, -96.428147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7963&lon=-96.4281&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Will Rogers FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202077/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202077
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA054

## Probable cause

The collision with two deer during takeoff which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## 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 · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Lou Malinchak TITAN T-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05634C4), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Lou Malinchak TITAN T-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=05634C4), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was initiating a takeoff from his private airstrip when he saw two deer off the right wing. He then felt a thump at the right main landing gear and heard a thud near the right wing root. The airplane pitched aggressively nose down and rolled right. The pilot applied corrective control inputs and reduced engine power, which enabled him to return the airplane onto the runway surface, but the airplane was in a 40o left turn relative to the runway centerline. The airplane veered off the runway and struck trees resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. There were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N251LM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N251LM), registered now, S/N M07SV6S0HK0127, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOU MALINCHAK TITAN T-51D
- Registry model: [Lou Malinchak TITAN T-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/lou-malinchak-titan-t-51d) (registry code 05634C4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M07SV6S0HK0127
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: Suzuki H27ANA 183 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2025
- Airport: OK69, Malinchak Private Airport, runway 5, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,592 total, 145 in this make and model, 9,328 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 25.00 inHg
- Observed at: CQB, 19 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 20251126017409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251126017409A), Nov 26, 2025: Lou Malinchak TITAN T-51D, Bristow, OK, Substantial damage. Part 91, day VFR flight attempt departing a grass strip approximately 1.5 nautical miles southwest of jones memorial airport(3F7) in Bristow, Oklahoma. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202077. 165 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 164 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19752065&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19752356&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Template-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.

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