# NTSB CHI06CA065: Piper PA-28-161, N8325H, West Branch, MI, January 12, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 12, 2006, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: West Branch, MI
- Coordinates: 44.24472, -84.179725
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2447&lon=-84.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Grand Rapids, MI FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA065

## Probable cause

An encounter 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 - roll
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane contacted a deer during a landing roll.  The pilot reported that the landing was normal.  During the landing roll, she felt the airplane "jerk" to the left.  She reported that she was able to maintain control of the airplane on the runway.  A passenger in the airplane stated that he saw the deer just prior to it contacting the airplane, but there was not enough time for the pilot to take evasive action.  The deer contacted the left wing of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The airplane contacted a deer during a landing roll.  The pilot reported the landing was normal.  During the landing roll, she felt the airplane "jerk" to the left.  She reported she was able to maintain control of the airplane on the runway.  A passenger in the airplane stated he saw the deer just prior to it contacting the airplane, but there was not enough time for the pilot to take evasive action.  The deer contacted the left wing of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8325H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8325H), registered now, S/N 28-8116130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116130
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sarah A. Peasley
- Registered owner: David S. Peasley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ESC, Escanaba, MI
- Destination: Y31, West Branch, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 445 total, 436 in this make and model, 381 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observed at: HTL

## 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 20060112030889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060112030889A), Jan 12, 2006: Piper PA28161, West Branch, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) This FAR part 91 accident occurred at 1800 EDT on January 12, 2006. The Piper PA-28-161 with pilot and three passengers, on landing rollout at West…

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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