# NTSB ERA23LA152: Cessna 172, N2527L, Kinston, NC, March 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 5, 2023, 00:30 UTC - Place: Kinston, NC · On runway 23 - Coordinates: 35.330336, -77.60979 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3303&lon=-77.6098&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106900/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106900 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA152 ## Probable cause The airplane’s impact with two deer while performing a takeoff at night. ## 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: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072424), [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 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that while performing a touch-and-go landing at night, just prior to rotation speed, the pilot receiving instruction noticed a deer coming from the infield area. The flight instructor also saw a deer and heard a “clump” noise. The flight instructor reduced the engine power to idle and exited the runway. After taxiing to the ramp, the pilot and flight instructor noted damage to the airplane and subsequently airport operations personnel found one deceased and one injured deer near the landing runway. The deer strike resulted in substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2527L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2527L), registered now, S/N 17255727 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255727 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 2325 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mast Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Mast Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2023 - Departed: W78, South Boston, VA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: ISO, Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field, runway 23, 11,498 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, remote; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,790 total, 150 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 339 total, 3 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: ISO, 1 nm away - METAR: KISO 060056Z 18007KT 10SM CLR 12/05 A3022 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106900. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15256061&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� 6120 clarification (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15256714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%206120%20Clarification-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15256553&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA23LA152-Rel.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.