# NTSB CHI91LA052: Piper PA-32-260, N33797, St. Ignace, MI, December 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1990, 19:05 local (Dec 28, 1990, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: St. Ignace, MI
- Coordinates: 45.859367, -84.720031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8594&lon=-84.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA052

## Probable cause

THE DEER CROSSING THE RUNWAY WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A NIGHT LANDING ON RUNWAY 07 WHEN A DEER CROSSED THE RUNWAY. HE WAS ABLE TO ADD POWER AND AVOID THE DEER; HOWEVER, A SECOND DEER CROSSED THE RUNWAY AND CONTACTED THE AIRPLANE SHEARING OFF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE RESULTED DURING THE LANDING DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE LEFT GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33797-2010-07-21), registration cancelled 2010-07-21, S/N 32-7500031, built 1975 (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: 32-7500031
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Great Lakes Air
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: Y84, MACKINAC ISLAND, MI
- Airport: 83D, Mackinac Co., runway 7, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901227056349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901227056349A), Dec 27, 1990: Piper PA32260, St Ignace, MI, Substantial damage. Deer ran in front of landing aircraft. Added power,missed deer but struck another unseen deer on touchdown.

## Other investigations on N33797 (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 CHI97LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA051), Jan 13, 1997: Piper PA-32-260 (N33797), St. Ignace, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was the snowbank which the airplane contacted.

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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