# NTSB DFW05CA205: Beech 35, N8753A, Boerne, TX, June 30, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2005, 21:40 local (Jun 30, 2005, 02:40 UTC) - Place: Boerne, TX - Coordinates: 29.721111, -98.690002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7211&lon=-98.6900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio - NTSB case key (mKey): 62162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62162/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA205 ## Probable cause The airplane's collision with a deer during touchdown. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The 785-hour pilot reported that it was a "very dark night" when he made his visual approach to the runway, and both his landing light and the runway lights were on. Just after touch-down, with the nose-wheel still in the air, the pilot saw something on the right [side], then felt a thud and saw a deer under the nose on the left side. The pilot then, "felt a second thud" which he believed to be the deer, passing under the left flap. The airplane's nose then dropped, and skidded along the runway, as the airplane veered to the right. The airplane came to a stop approximately 20-feet from the right side of the runway. The deer was killed from the impact. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2005, at 2140 central daylight time, a single-engine Beech 35 airplane, N8735A, sustained substantial damage after it collided with a deer while landing on Runway 34 at the Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1), near San Antonio, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A flight plan was not filed for the 711-nautical mile cross country flight that originated from the Weedon Field Airport (EUF), near Eufaula, Alabama, about 1715, with 5C1, as its final destination. The 785-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that it was a "very dark night" when he made his approach to 5C1. The pilot stated that the runway lights were already on when he entered the traffic pattern and when he was on final, he turned the airplane's landing lights on. Just after touch-down, while the nose-wheel was still in the air he, "saw something on the right [side], then felt a thud and saw a deer under the nose on the left side." The pilot then, "felt a second thud" which he believed to be the deer, passing under the left flap. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane continued to skid on the runway, as the airplane veered to the right of the centerline. The airplane came to a stop approximately 20-feet from the right edge of the runway with, " the nose in the dirt and the tail up in the air." The pilot also noted that the deer was killed and was laying on the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane's nosewheel had been sheered off at the lower strut, the lower engine cowl/gear doors were damaged, both propeller blades were bent back, and the left flap was bent upward. The airplane was examined by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic. Photos of the airplane revealed structural damage occurred to the firewall. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 under the section; Recommendation (How This Accident Could Have Been Prevented): "Surround the airfield with a deer-proof fence, to keep deer and other wildlife off the runway. Use an airport dog that will chase deer away, or by eliminating food sources that attract wildlife." At 2153, the automated weather observing system at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), approximately 16 miles southeast of the accident site, reported wind from 140 degrees at 12 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.95 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8753A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8753A-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N D-2175, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 - Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-2175 - Airframe hours: 3811 - Engines: Continental E185 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2004 - Departed: EUF, EUFAULA, AL - Destination: 5C1, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Airport: 5C1, Boerne Stage Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 785 total, 277 in this make and model, 703 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SAT, 16 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 20050629026909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050629026909A), Jun 29, 2005: Beech A35, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) This accident occurred at night in very dark VFR weather at the conclusion of a 711 nautical mile cross country flight. During the landing sequence the… 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.