# NTSB CHI03LA258: Piper PA-32-260, N3258W, Litchfield, IL, August 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 2003, 20:40 local (Aug 10, 2003, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Litchfield, IL - Coordinates: 39.162498, -89.67472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1625&lon=-89.6747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57705/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA258 ## Probable cause An animal wandered onto the runway and collided with the airplane. A factor was the night light condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - animal(s) (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it struck a deer during the landing roll at night. The pilot reported that he performed a low approach to check the runway condition prior to executing the landing. The pilot reported that one deer ran across the runway while the airplane was on the landing roll and shortly afterward, a second deer ran onto the runway and was struck by the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2003, at 2040 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3258W, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a deer while landing on runway 36 (4,003 feet by 75 feet, concrete) at Litchfield Municipal Airport (3LF), Litchfield, Illinois. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his three passengers reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed from St. Louis Regional Airport, Alton, Illinois, approximately at 2025 According to the pilot, he was flying to 3LF to conduct some night full-stop landings. He performed a low approach to check out the runway, then the pilot performed an uneventful approach and landing. As the airplane was slowing down, and before he started to brake, he saw a deer run across the runway in front of the airplane. Shortly after seeing the first deer, the airplane impacted a second deer which ran onto the runway. The airplane was damaged on the left fuselage and the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3258W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3258W), registered now, S/N 32-81, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-81 - Airframe hours: 4259 - Engines: Lycoming 054-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Clifton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2002, 75 hours before - Departed: ALN, Alton, IL - Destination: 3LF, Litchfield, IL - Airport: 3LF, Litchfield Muni, runway 36, 4,003 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; military, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 5,321 total, 56 in this make and model, 4,118 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: ALN, 24 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 20030810021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030810021249A), Aug 10, 2003: Piper PA32260, Litchfield, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) N3258W had landed on runway 36 at Litchfield when a deer ran in front of aircraft impacting the left wing root area. No injuries were sustained during… ## Other investigations on N3258W (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN21FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA263), Jun 14, 2021: Piper PA-32-260 (N3258W), Madisonville, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during final approach for landing, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. 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.