# NTSB CHI03LA193: Cessna 172H, N3832R, Plymouth, IN, June 30, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2003, 19:40 local (Jun 30, 2003, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, IN
- Coordinates: 41.365001, -86.300277
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3650&lon=-86.3003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA- South Bend FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA193

## Probable cause

The collision with a deer during landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a deer while landing.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 2003, at 1940 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172H, N3832R, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a deer while landing on runway 28 (4,400 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at Plymouth Municipal Airport (C65), Plymouth, Indiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot and his passenger were uninjured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The flight departed Warsaw Municipal Airport, Warsaw, Indiana, at 1915 with an intended destination of the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, Griffith, Indiana.

The pilot stated he landed normally and the deer "darted" onto the runway impacting the airplane's right stabilizer and elevator tip.  The stabilizer was bent upward and aft, and the tail section of the airplane was bent about 30 degrees to the left.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or defects.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3832R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3832R), registered now, S/N 17255332, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255332
- Airframe hours: 3452
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2003, 55 hours before
- Departed: ASW, Warsaw, IN
- Destination: 05C, Griffith, IN
- Airport: C65, Plymouth Municipal Airport, runway 28, 4,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 25, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 373 total, 300 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 20 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 20030629019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030629019929A), Jun 29, 2003: Cessna 172H, Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) N3832R Cessna 172H hit a deer on landing at Plymouth muni in, C65. Aircraft damage was substantial, right stab, vert fin and tail cone bent approx. 15-20…

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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