CHI00LA024

The airplane impacted an unseen deer during a night landing at a private airstip.

On November 7, 1999, at 2200 central standard time, an American AA-1B, N9927L, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting a deer during landing on the southeast runway (3,200 feet by 30 feet) of a private airstrip called the Lake Viking Airport, near Gallatin, Missouri. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The deer was fatally injured. The flight departed the Chillicothe Municipal Airport, Chillicothe, Missouri, at 2140, en route to the Lake Viking Airport.

The pilot reported the following in a written statement, "While approaching Rwy 15, no deer or obstructions were observed by Rwy. lights or landing light. Upon flair, when main gear tires were just ready to touch ground, an unseen (12 pt. Buck) deer struck the front and right wing of the airplane. Plane spun around and slid sideways to the right as main gear were just touching runway. Plane departed runway at appox. 45 degree angle as full left rudder, full left aileron, and power was applied. Collision with hanger was avoided and plane came to rest in grass parallel to runway. Nose strut was found near dead deer at point of impact. E.L.T. was sounding through radio, so K.C. center was notified on freq. 125.25 of accident. Columbia F.S.S. was called via phone within 10 minutes, then again after E.L.T. was disarmed."