# NTSB CHI94LA136: Cessna 150A, N7044X, Angola, IN, April 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 1994, 22:30 local (Apr 20, 1994, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Angola, IN - Coordinates: 41.640678, -84.999237 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6407&lon=-84.9992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9509/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA136 ## Probable cause the on ground collision of the airplane with a deer. A factor was the dark night. ## 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) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported he felt an impact during landing roll, and later discovered the airplane had collided with a deer. He said it was a dark night and he did not see the animal. The following morning, an 80 pound white tail deer was discovered dead beside the runway. A representative of a local FBO stated the airport was actively participating in a deer depredation program in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 1994, at 2230 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150A airplane, N7044X, sustained substantial damage while landing in Angola, Indiana. The solo commercial pilot received no injuries. The personal flight originated at 2215 in Kendallville, Indiana and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot stated he landed uneventfully on runway 23. During the landing roll, about 1000 feet down the runway, the aircraft was struck by a deer. He stated it was a dark night and he did not see the deer but felt the collision. He stopped the aircraft and discovered substantial damage to the outboard leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. The fuselage just forward of the empennage was buckled on the right and a rivet line was separated on the left side. The following morning an 80 pound male deer was discovered dead on the edge of the runway. A representative of Tri-State Airways, a local fixed base operator, stated the animal had a broken back. During a telephone interview, William Eyster of Tri-State Airways stated the airport is enclosed by a "farm fence" which is four feet tall and topped with a strand of barbed wire. He said three sides of the airport are wooded areas and deer are often discovered on the airport. He stated the airport possessed a depredation permit issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and removed 8 to 10 deer per year from the premises. Additionally, the wooded areas are being reduced to minimize the habitat. Eldra Van Hoey, the District Wildlife Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, reported he worked closely with local airports in an effort to control the deer hazard. He said the animal was probably a young white tail deer and a 10 foot fence is required to contain them. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7044X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7044X), registered now, S/N 15059144, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150A - Registry model: [Cessna 150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150a) (registry code 2071804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059144 - Airframe hours: 4483 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James H. Renkenberger - Registered owner: James H. Renkenberger - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1994, 83 hours before - Departed: C62, KENDALLVILLE, IN - Airport: ANQ, Tri-State Steuben County, runway 23, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,325 total, 550 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940419008559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940419008559A), Apr 19, 1994: Cessna 150A, Angola, IN, Substantial damage. Struck by an unseen deer on the landing roll. Stabilizer damage. Fuselage buckled. Airport fence inadequate. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.