# NTSB CHI98LA181: Piper PA-28R-200, N9324N, Sikesville, MO, May 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1998, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Sikesville, MO - Coordinates: 36.88095, -89.580711 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8809&lon=-89.5807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10899/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA181 ## Probable cause the deer which ran in front of the airplane during the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were the inadequate airspeed which resulted in the pilot not being able to maintain directional control of the airplane as he attempted to avoid deer, and the trees which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - object - animal(s) (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis Two deer ran across the runway as the airplane was at an altitude of 10-15 feet agl during the landing flare. The pilot attempted to climb the airplane over the deer. He stated the airplane was '...behind my power curve...' and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway where it contacted a small group of trees. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R- 200, N9324N, operated by a commercial pilot collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control during a go-around at the Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport, Sikeston, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Somerville, Tennessee, at 1255 cdt. The pilot stated that at an altitude of about 10-15 feet above the ground, during his landing flare, two deer ran across the runway. He reported, "...I tried to go up and over them but I was behind my power curve and was unable to maintain directional control due to the crosswind and torque of the engine." The airplane veered to the left and off the side of the runway where it contacted a small group of trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9324N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9324N-2004-08-10), registration cancelled 2004-08-10, S/N 28R-35024, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-35024 - Airframe hours: 2800 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles E. Ellis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1998, 28 hours before - Departed: FYE, SOMERVILLE, IN - Destination: SIK - Airport: SIK, Sikeston, runway 20, 5,502 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 27 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 13 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 88 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CGI, 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 19980531011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980531011519A), May 31, 1998: Piper PA28R200, Sikeston, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot tried to avoid strikiing a deer on landing, and lost control and struck a tree. Sikeston, MO (-23)during approach for landing, pilot stated that two deer… 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.