# NTSB ERA11CA072: Piper PA-28-140, N15499, Andover, NJ, November 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 13, 2010, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Andover, NJ - Coordinates: 40.186943, -74.124443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1869&lon=-74.1244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77877/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77877 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA072 ## Probable cause An inadvertent collision with a deer on the runway during a night landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was on final approach with the runway lights and airplane landing lights illuminated. During the landing flare, he heard a "bang" from the right side of the airplane. As the airplane continued on the landing rollout, the right wing settled onto the ground. The airplane veered to the right and came to rest on the edge of the runway surface. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear was separated, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The separated right main landing gear was located on the runway adjacent to a dead deer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to it colliding with the deer. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was on final approach to runway 3, and the runway lights and airplane landing lights were illuminated. He initiated the landing flare, and then heard a "bang" from the right side of the airplane. During the landing rollout, the right wing settled onto the ground, the airplane veered to the right, and then came to rest on the edge of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear was separated, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The separated right main landing gear was located on the runway adjacent to a dead deer. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to striking the deer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15499](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15499), registered now, S/N 28-7325080, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7325080 - Airframe hours: 6543 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2010 - Departed: SMQ, Somerset, NJ - Destination: 12N, Andover, NJ - Airport: 12N, Aeroflex-Andover Airport, runway 03, 1,981 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 461 total, 417 in this make and model, 299 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: 12N ## 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 20101113055019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101113055019A), Nov 13, 2010: Piper PA-28-140, Andover, NJ, Substantial damage. While landing rnwy O3 @ Andover aeroflex airport, NJ. Aircraft struck a deer while in the flare to land about 3 to 4 feet above the runway, shearing the right… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77877. 750 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 711 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports: Andover, NJ METARs (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20Andover,%20NJ%20METARs-Master.PDF - Naval Observatory Sun and Moon Data - November 13 (item 3, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Naval%20Observatory%20Sun%20and%20Moon%20Data%20-%20November%2013-Master.PDF 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.