# NTSB CEN26LA291: Vans RV8, N412CV, Linden, MI, August 3, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2026, 10:25 local (14:25 UTC)
- Place: Linden, MI
- Coordinates: 42.807526, -83.771608
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8075&lon=-83.7716&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203600/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203600
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA291

## Probable cause

The collision with a deer during touch-and-go landings.

## 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: [Walters Don L RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05624UI), [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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Walters Don L RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05624UI), [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: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Walters Don L RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=05624UI), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Walters Don L RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05624UI), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Walters Don L RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05624UI), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 27 he observed three deer crossing the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and heard a loud bang during the maneuver. The pilot subsequently flew a traffic pattern and returned for landing, unaware that the deer strike had damaged the right main landing gear and separated a portion of the landing gear assembly. During the subsequent landing, the airplane veered to the right and struck a runway marker sign, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane then skidded into the grass area adjacent to the runway and came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft lower fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airport directory found a remark to alert pilots to deer on and in the vicinity of the airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N412CV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N412CV), registered now, S/N 81149 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS RV8
- Registry model: [Walters Don L RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/walters-don-l-rv-8) (registry code 05624UI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Superior IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-io-360-series) (registry code 59251, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 81149
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 276
- Engines: Superior IO 360 xp-10360-B1AA2 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 20, 2025
- Departed: 3DA, Flushing, MI
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 9G2, Prices, runway 09/27, 3,999 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private, remote, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2026; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 724 total, 5 in this make and model, 724 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: KFNT, 10 nm away
- METAR: METAR KFNT 031353Z 30004KT 10SM CLR 21/16 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP154 T02060161=

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20260803011619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260803011619I), Aug 3, 2026: Walters Don L RV-8, Linden, MI, Minor damage. The aircraft was landing on runway 27 and struck a deer with the right main landing gear, which snapped off. He then performed a go-around maneuver. On the…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203600. 5.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20846465&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PILOT%20AIRCRAFT%20ACCIDENT%20REPORT,%20NTSB%20FORM%206120.1_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20847961&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PHOTOS-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, airport manager (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20848013&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD%20-%20AIRPORT%20MANAGER%20-%20TELEPHONE%20INTERVIEW-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� additional information to 6120.1, pilot email (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20847675&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD-PILOT%20-EMAIL_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Airport facility directory - prices airport (9G2) (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20848875&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20AIRPORT_FACILITY%20DIRECTORY%20-%20PRICES%20AIRPORT%20(9G2)-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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