# NTSB ERA13CA414: Cessna 172B, N7619X, Shellman Bluff, GA, September 8, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2013, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Shellman Bluff, GA - Coordinates: 31.639444, -81.328887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6394&lon=-81.3289&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 October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88030 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA414 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88030/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88030 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA414 ## Probable cause An inadvertent collision with a deer during 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/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: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing at a private airport after a cross-country flight. During the landing flare, just prior to touchdown, a small deer ran onto the runway toward the airplane. The pilot increased engine power and attempted to climb; however, the deer struck and substantially damaged the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reduced engine power and subsequently landed on the runway without further incident. The pilot indicated that he did not experience any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing at a private airport after a cross-country flight. During the landing flare, just prior to touchdown, a small deer ran onto the runway toward the airplane. The pilot increased engine power and attempted to climb; however, the deer struck and substantially damaged the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reduced engine power and subsequently landed on the runway without further incident. The pilot indicated that he did not experience any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7619X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7619X), registered now, S/N 17248119, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248119 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 3662 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wilson Curtis E - Registered owner: Wilson Curtis E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2012, 52 hours before - Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Destination: 1GA0, Shellman Bluff, GA - Airport: 1GA0, Eagle Neck, runway 19, 3,527 × 41 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 797 total, 735 in this make and model, 762 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KLHW, 19 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 20130908018389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130908018389A), Sep 8, 2013: Cessna 172B, Townsend, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing at 1GA0 when upon landing the horizontal stabilizer struck a small deer causing substantial damage. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88030. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – Postaccident overview of the left side of the empennage (item 2, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Postaccident%20overview%20of%20the%20left%20side%20of%20the%20empennage-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – Close-up view of the damage to left side of the horizontal stabilizer. (item 3, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Close-up%20view%20of%20the%20damage%20to%20left%20side%20of%20the%20horizontal%20stabilizer.-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.