# NTSB FTW98LA114: Cessna 500, N9AX, Horseshoe Bay, TX, January 30, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1998, 19:10 local (Jan 30, 1998, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Horseshoe Bay, TX
- Coordinates: 30.529972, -98.38095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5300&lon=-98.3809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA114

## Probable cause

the entrance of deer onto the runway, which resulted in an unavoidable impact.  Darknes was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane struck deer during the landing roll on the south runway. The pilot said he made an attempt to avoid the animals, but was unable. As the airplane taxied to the ramp, fuel spilled from the left wing. An antler was found imbedded in the left wing, which had penetrated into the fuel tank. Approximately 150 gallons of fuel had drained onto the runway, taxiway, and ramp area.

## Factual narrative

On January 29, 1998, at 1910 central standard time, a Cessna 500, a twin turbojet airplane, N9AX, sustained substantial damage when it struck several deer during the landing roll at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, Horseshoe Bay, Texas.  The airplane was operated and flown by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The commercial pilot and the passenger were not injured.  Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that departed Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas, at 1800 on an IFR flight plan.

During personal interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the owner and the pilot reported that, during the landing roll on the south runway, a herd of deer entered the runway environment from the east.  The pilot made an attempt to avoid the animals; however, the airplane struck the deer.  As the airplane taxied to the ramp, fuel spilled from the left wing.  The pilot examined the airplane and found that the main gear, flaps, air brake, and wing received structural damage.  An antler was found imbedded in the left wing and penetrated into the fuel tank.  Approximately 150 gallons of fuel had drained onto the runway, taxiway, and ramp area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9AX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9AX-1999-06-03), registration cancelled 1999-06-03, S/N 500-0016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 500
- Registry model: [Cessna 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-500) (registry code 2076602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500-0016
- Airframe hours: 4370
- Engines: P&W JT15D-1A 2200 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles C. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1997, 98 hours before
- Departed: ADS, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: 4R2, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4R2, Horseshoe Bay, runway 18, 6,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMQ

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19980129005589I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980129005589I), Jan 29, 1998: Cessna 500CESSNA, Marble Falls, TX, Minor damage. Narrative: on January 29, 1998, at 1905 central standard time, a Cessna 500 airplane, N9AX sustained minor damage when it struck several deer during the…

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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