# NTSB CHI94LA124: Cessna 177RG, N7581V, Charlotte, MI, March 31, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1994, 20:30 local (Mar 31, 1994, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, MI
- Coordinates: 42.560989, -84.829124 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5610&lon=-84.8291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA124

## Probable cause

the deer which ran onto the runway.  Factors related to the accident were the night conditions and the runway lights which were contacted.

## 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 - runway light (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT VEERED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING A LANDING ROLL, IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID TWO DEER WHICH RAN ACROSS THE RUNWAY.  IN DOING SO, THE LEFT STABILIZER AND PROPELLER CONTACTED TWO RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 1994, at 2030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N7581V, operated by Arthur R. LeBlanc, collided with two runway lights on landing at the Fitch H. Beach Airport, Charlotte, Michigan, while on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Bluffton, Ohio, on March 30, 1994, at 1930.

The pilot reported that during the landing roll two deer ran across the runway in front of the airplane.  He veered the airplane to the left in an attempt to miss the deer.  The left side of the horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged when it along with the propeller contacted two runway edge lights.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7581V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7581V), registered now, S/N 177RG0872 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0872
- Airframe hours: 2144
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur R. Leblanc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1993, 51 hours before
- Departed: 5G7, BLUFFTON, OH
- Airport: 07G, Fitch Beach, runway 20, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 116 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 20 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 19940330009489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940330009489A), Mar 30, 1994: Cessna 172RG, Charlotte, MI, Substantial damage. Veered on landing to miss a deer. Struck runway lights.

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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