# NTSB FTW98LA415: Piper PA-32-301T, N83894, Austin, TX, September 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 1998, 20:30 local (Sep 27, 1998, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Location: 30.2672° N, 97.7431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Austin, TX, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2672&lon=-97.7431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA415 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44050/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA415 ## Probable cause The collision with deer during the landing roll. Factors were the dark night light condition and the separation of the lower strut assembly from the right main landing gear, on the subsequent flight. ## 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 - object - animal(s) (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear strut - separation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane impacted a deer during the landing roll at night. The airplane's propeller struck a deer, which subsequently struck the right main landing gear assembly. The pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp and he exited the airplane. The following morning the pilot assessed the damage and decided to fly the airplane around the pattern. Upon liftoff, the lower strut assembly from the right main landing gear, including the wheel, separated from the airplane. The pilot continued the flight and landed the airplane at another airport. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 1998, at 2030 a Piper PA-32-301T airplane, N83894, was substantially damaged upon impact with a deer during the landing roll, near Austin, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the Horseshoe Bay Airpark Airport, Austin, Texas, at 0745. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that on September 25, 1998, he flew the airplane from Wichita Falls, Texas, to Austin, Texas. The touchdown on runway 17 was normal. During the landing roll he observed deer running across the runway and applied the brakes. The propeller of the airplane struck a deer, which subsequently struck the right main landing gear assembly. The pilot stated that the airplane "swerved to the right for about 20 feet," and then straightened out. He taxied the airplane to the ramp and exited the airplane. According to the pilot the weather conditions at the time he landed at Austin were: clear skies, winds from 180 degrees at 3 knots, and dark night light conditions. The following morning the pilot inspected the airplane and observed a "1/4 to 1/2 inch nick" in the propeller. He added that he removed the left and right wheel fairings from the main landing gear assemblies and found no damage to either landing gear. The pilot decided to fly the airplane around the pattern one time to verify that the nick in the propeller would not yield any vibrations. As the airplane departed the runway the lower strut assembly, including the wheel, separated from the right main landing gear assembly. The pilot flew the airplane to the Mathis Field Airport, San Angelo, Texas, where the airplane landed on runway 21. According to the pilot, the weather conditions between Austin, Texas, and San Angelo, Texas, were: VFR. The pilot reported in the pilot/operator report that he had accumulated a total of 852.1 flight hours, of which 797 were in the make and model of the accident airplane, and 25 hours were during night conditions. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the Mathis Field Airport. He reported that right flap was punctured in the area of the upper skin. The right main landing gear wheel fairing was damaged and covered with blood. Structural damage was incurred by the right main landing gear lower strut assembly (axle and oleo piston). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83894](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83894), registered now, S/N 32-8124029, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8124029 - Airframe hours: 1729 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-580-SIAD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David H. White - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1998, 34 hours before - Departed: 4R2, TX - Destination: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX - Airport: SJT, Mathis Field, runway 21, 5,939 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 852 total, 797 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AUS, 38 nm away ## 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 19980926044979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980926044979A), Sep 26, 1998: Piper PA32301T, Marble Falls, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On September 26, 1998, at 0944 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301T airplane, N83894, was substantially damaged during the initial climb out from 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. --- 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.