# NTSB FTW96LA102: Piper PA-32-260, N41381, Spicewood, TX, January 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 20, 1996, 18:05 local (Jan 21, 1996, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Spicewood, TX - Coordinates: 30.480909, -98.160736 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4809&lon=-98.1607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19748/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA102 ## Probable cause the pilot's intentional evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a deer on the runway during landing. A factor was the bush that the airplane collided with during the aborted landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - animal(s) - evasive maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, immediately after the airplane touched down, he observed a deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane veered to the left, and the left main gear went off the side of the runway. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full throttle. During the acceleration, the plane's left wing struck a 'bush'. At approximately 10 to 15 feet off the ground, the pilot determined that the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to clear the power lines and trees bordering the airport. The pilot elected to close the throttle and land in a clear area to the left side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On January 20, 1996, at 1805 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N41381, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged while landing at the Austin Air Ranch near Spicewood, Texas. The private pilot and his 5 passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at Angleton, Texas, at 1630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight for which no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, immediately after the airplane touched down on runway 17, he observed a deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane's left main gear went off the side of the runway. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full throttle. During the acceleration, the airplane's left wing struck a "bush". At approximately 10 to 15 feet off the ground, the pilot determined that the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to clear the power lines and trees bordering the airport. The pilot elected to close the throttle and land in a clear area to the left side of the runway. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear was damaged and the propeller blades were bent. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: N41381 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7400030 - Airframe hours: 3124 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robin V. Clearman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1995, 85 hours before - Departed: LBX, ANGLETON, TX - Destination: 88R - Airport: 88R, Austin Air Ranch, runway 17, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 70 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19960120001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960120001119A), Jan 20, 1996: Piper PA32260, Spicewood, TX, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing due to deer on runway. Began go around hit bushes. Aborted due end runway and trees. 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.