# NTSB CHI08CA263: Cirrus Design SR20, N1281, Greenville, MI, August 26, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 25, 2008, 21:30 local (Aug 26, 2008, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, MI
- Coordinates: 43.13861, -85.25222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1386&lon=-85.2522&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA263

## Probable cause

The deer that ran onto the runway contacting the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the dark night conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was planning on making one night touch and go landing. He stated that just as he was rotating on takeoff, he saw a deer run across the runway. In addition, he heard a loud bang and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain he contacted a second deer, but he continued the takeoff as he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, the pilot was able to see the damage on the left wing. He stated he maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land. The pilot stated the airplane handled "very well" until short final when the left wing dropped and the left main contacted the runway first. He maintained control of the airplane and turned off on a taxiway where he shut down the airplane. The pilot reported he did not see the second deer before it contacted the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 2008, at 2130 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR-20, N1281, operated by Western Michigan University collided with a deer during takeoff from the Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6), Greenville, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The solo instructional flight was operating under title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated form Battle Creek, Michigan, at 2100. The pilot reported he flew to 6D6 and was planning on making one night touch and go landing. He stated that just as he was rotating on takeoff, he saw a deer run across the runway. In addition, he heard a loud bang and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain he contacted a second deer, but he continued the takeoff as he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, the pilot was able to see the damage on the left wing. He stated he maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land at 6D6. The pilot stated the airplane handled "very well" until short final when the left wing dropped and the left main contacted the runway first. He maintained control of the airplane and turned off on a taxiway where he shut down the airplane. The pilot reported he did not see the second deer before it contacted the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1281](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1281), registered now, S/N 1581, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cirrus Design Corp. SR20
- Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1581
- Engines: Continental IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Western Michigan University
- Registered owner: Sovereign Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BTL, Battle Creek, MI
- Destination: 6D6, Greenville, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 197 total, 18 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: GRR

## 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 20080825846069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080825846069A), Aug 25, 2008: Cirrus SR20, Greenville, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Private pilot on night solo crosscountry hit deer at rotation on takeoff. Pilot returned to airport and landed without incident. Deer hit left wing and…

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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