# NTSB ERA14CA412: Cessna 140, N436DC, Luray, VA, August 25, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 25, 2014, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Luray, VA
- Coordinates: 38.666942, -78.500556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6669&lon=-78.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89984/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89984
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA412

## Probable cause

A loss of control and subsequent runway excursion while attempting to avoid a collision with a deer on takeoff.

## 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 · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071602), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was attempting to depart from the runway when a deer suddenly began approaching the runway from the left. He attempted to steer the airplane left to avoid the deer as it crossed, and in the process, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane as it rolled and struck an embankment and collapsed the main landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was attempting to depart from the runway when a deer suddenly began approaching the runway from the left. He attempted to steer the airplane left to avoid the deer as it crossed, and in the process, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane as it rolled and struck an embankment and collapsed the main landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N436DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N436DC-2017-04-20), registration cancelled 2017-04-20, S/N 8807, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8807
- Year built: 1956
- Airframe hours: 544
- Engines: Continental Motors O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Heinz Kenneth P
- Registered owner: Heinz Kenneth P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 2014
- Departed: LUA, Luray, VA
- Destination: LUA, Luray, VA
- Airport: LUA, Luray Caverns, runway 04, 3,125 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 7,154 total, 7,154 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 9.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KLUA

## 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 20140825017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140825017529A), Aug 25, 2014: Cessna 140, Luray, VA, Substantial damage. On 25 August, 2014, a Cessna 140, N436DC was attempting to takeoff on runway 04 at Luray airport (lua) when a deer came out on to the runway. The pilot steered…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89984. 13.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 322 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Airplane From Runway (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20From%20Runway%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Collapsed Left Main Landing Gear (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Collapsed%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Damaged Fuselage Floor (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Damaged%20Fuselage%20Floor%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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