# NTSB CHI95LA033: Cessna 150, N9143U, Tomahawk, WI, November 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1994, 18:20 local (Nov 9, 1994, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Tomahawk, WI
- Coordinates: 45.470474, -89.720886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4705&lon=-89.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA033

## Probable cause

the collision with deer during landing - flare/touchdown.

## 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)

## Analysis

WHILE FLARING THE AIRPLANE FOR TOUCHDOWN, TWO DEER SUDDENLY APPEARED OFF TO THE RIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE. IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID STRIKING THE DEER, THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE UP. THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE DEER. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, ONE OF THE DEER WAS THROWN INTO THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On November 8, 1994, at 1820 central standard time, a Cessna 150, N9143U, was substantially damaged when it struck two deer while landing at Tomahawk Regional Airport, Tomahawk, Wisconsin.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 local pleasure flight originated from Tomahawk, Wisconsin, at 1630 without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

According to the pilot, he saw a deer on the threshold of runway 09 as he was preparing to land.  The deer moved to the side of the runway and pilot decided to land the airplane after he did not see anymore deer on the runway.  The pilot stated the runway lights and the airplane's landing lights were on at the time.  During the landing flare, two deer suddenly appeared off to the right of the airplane.  In an effort to avoid striking the deer, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up.   The airplane's main landing gear struck the two deer.  After the initial impact, one of the deer was thrown into the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer.  The pilot was able to land the airplane without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9143U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9143U), registered now, S/N 15078094, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078094
- Airframe hours: 4035
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randall J. Olszewski
- Registered owner: Randall J. Olszewski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1994, 23 hours before
- Departed: WI46
- Destination: WI46
- Airport: WI46, Tomahawk Regional Airport, runway 9, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 281 total, 200 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19941108037909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941108037909A), Nov 8, 1994: Cessna 150M, Tomahawk, WI, Substantial damage. While landing two deer ran into path of plane. Pulled up to avoid, but main gear hit deer. Deer hit stabilizer.

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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