CHI96LA026

The aircraft struck two deer that ran across the runway as the aircraft was landing at dusk. One deer was killed; the second deer ran off. After striking the second deer, the aircraft went off the right side of the runway and damaged a runway light.

On November 5, 1995, at 1750 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 150, N21960, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with two deer during landing roll on runway 27 at the Wabash Airport, Wabash, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed from Wabash, Indiana, at 1415 est.

The pilot said runway 27 was clear, and he could see the full length of the runway. The pilot reported that neither he nor his passenger saw any movement along the sides of the runway. During landing roll, when the nose of the airplane began coming down, the pilot said he and his passenger saw deer running in front of the airplane. A police officer reported one deer was killed by the airplane's propeller and the second deer was struck with the airplane's horizontal tail and ran off. The airplane's horizontal tail was bent back approximately 30 degrees from its original position. After striking the second deer the airplane went off the right side of the runway, damaging a runway light.