# NTSB FTW98LA391: Cessna 180F, N4612U, Douglas, WY, September 11, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1998, 05:58 local (11:58 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, WY
- Coordinates: 42.749362, -105.389663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7494&lon=-105.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA391

## Probable cause

A collision with a deer during take-off.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was taking off from Converse County Airport's runway 28 (6,750 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) in the predawn darkness, en route to Casper, Wyoming, about 47 miles to the west.  As the airplane lifted off the runway, a small deer (weighing an estimated 75 pounds) struck the rear of the airplane.  Because the airplane remained under control at all times, the pilot elected to continue to Casper, where he landed without incident.  Examination of the airplane disclosed the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed inward and bent.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1998, at 0558 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180F, N4612U, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a deer during the takeoff roll at Douglas, Wyoming.  The airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he was taking off from Converse County Airport's runway 28 (6,750 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) in the predawn darkness, en route to Casper, Wyoming, about 47 miles to the west.  As the airplane lifted off the runway, a small deer, weighing an estimated 75 pounds, struck the rear of the airplane.  Because the airplane remained under control at all times, the pilot elected to continue to Casper, where he landed without incident.  Examination of the airplane disclosed the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed inward and bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4612U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4612U), registered now, S/N 18051312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180F
- Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051312
- Airframe hours: 2668
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Duncan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1997, 31 hours before
- Departed: DGW
- Destination: CPR, CASPER, WY
- Airport: DGW, Converse County, runway 28, 6,750 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,558 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 11,582 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DGW

## 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 19980911023749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980911023749A), Sep 11, 1998: Cessna 180F, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Acft struck a small deer on takeoff.(-23) deer hit aircraft on takeoff damaging left leading edge of horizontal stabilizer.

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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