CHI04CA281

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-28-140 · Jackson, MI · September 23, 2004

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
September 22, 2004, 21:45 local (Sep 23, 2004, 01:45 UTC)
Place
Jackson, MI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N98222Piper PA-28-140
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night
Status
Completed · report December 3, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO
FAA report
20040922022639A
Case key
60280

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

Collision with a deer when it crossed the airplane's path during landing rollout. Factors were low lighting (night) conditions and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the collision.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - animal(s)Cause
Light condition - nightFactor
Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Directional control - not possiblePilot in commandFactor
Terrain condition - grass

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged during a collision with a deer on landing rollout. The pilot reported that he landed normally and had been rolling out for a "few seconds" when he saw a deer in "close proximity" to the aircraft. This animal did not pose a collision hazard. However, shortly afterward, the aircraft's right wing struck a second deer. He stated that he did not see the second animal prior to impact. He noted that the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and came to rest in the grass about 40 feet from the edge of the pavement. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Factual narrative

On September 22, 2004, at 2145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N98222, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a deer during landing rollout on runway 14 (3,500 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at Jackson County Airport-Reynolds Field (JXN), Jackson, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Fitch H Beach Airport (FPK), Charlotte, Michigan, approximately 2130.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that he landed normally and had been rolling out for a "few seconds" when he saw a deer in "close proximity" to the aircraft. This animal did not pose a collision hazard. However, shortly afterward, the aircraft's right wing struck a second deer. He stated that he did not see the second animal prior to impact. He noted that the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and came to rest in the grass about 40 feet from the edge of the pavement.

Aircraft

Registration
N98222
Reported as
Piper PA-28-140
Category
Airplane
Serial number
28-26117
Engine
Lycoming O-320-E2A, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
15 Corporation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
FPK · Charlotte, MI
Destination
JXN · Jackson, MI
Airport
JXN · Jackson County-Reynolds Field, runway 14, 3,501 × 100 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
40
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
July 23, 2004
Seat
Left
Flight hours
212 total · 211 in this make and model · 168 as pilot in command · 13 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night
Wind
160° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F, dew point 54 °F
Altimeter
30.27 inHg
Observed at
JXN

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N98222 · 3

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.