# NTSB ERA14CA172: Piper PA 28-140, N6469W, Saluda, SC, February 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 20, 2014, 20:30 local (Feb 21, 2014, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Saluda, SC - Coordinates: 33.926666, -81.794723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9267&lon=-81.7947&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88970/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88970 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA172 ## Probable cause An inadvertent encounter with a deer during the takeoff roll. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310); 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) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot had completed the first leg of a night cross country flight and were departing back to their home airport. During the takeoff roll, a deer ran onto the runway, colliding with the airplane's right wing. The CFI assumed control of the airplane from the student and continued the takeoff, as inadequate runway distance remained to abort. Once airborne, the CFI did not note any flight control abnormalities, and elected to continue to the destination, where he landed the airplane without incident. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot had completed the first leg of a night cross country flight and were departing back to their home airport. During the takeoff roll, a deer ran onto the runway, colliding with the airplane's right wing. The CFI assumed control of the airplane from the student and continued the takeoff, as inadequate runway distance remained to abort. Once airborne, the CFI did not note any flight control abnormalities, and elected to continue to the destination, where he landed the airplane without incident. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6469W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6469W), registered now, S/N 28-20542, built 1964 (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: 28-20542 - Year built: 1964 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pivotal Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Pivotal Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2013 - Departed: 6J4, Saluda, SC - Destination: SPA, Spartanburg, SC - Airport: 6J4, Saluda County, runway 19, 3,189 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2013; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,659 total, 1,570 in this make and model, 2,601 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: AIK, 17 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 20140220004359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140220004359A), Feb 20, 2014: Piper PA-28-140, Saluda, SC, Substantial damage. During takeoff rotation, aircraft struck deer on runway causing substantial damage to right wing, aileron and forward attach point. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88970. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Damage to right wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20right%20wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.