# NTSB GAA16CA346: Cessna 172, N21553, Flushing, MI, June 26, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2016, 22:30 local (Jun 26, 2016, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Flushing, MI - Coordinates: 43.05722, -83.806388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0572&lon=-83.8064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA346 ## Probable cause The collision with a deer during touchdown of a night landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the airplane. ## 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072418), [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. - [Landing: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a night landing he collided with a deer on the runway during touchdown. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a night landing he collided with a deer on the runway during touchdown. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21553](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21553), registered now, S/N 17263970, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263970 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 4549.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2015 - Departed: N98, BOYNE CITY, MI - Destination: 3DA, Flushing, MI - Airport: 3DA, Dalton, runway 18, 2,510 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 862 total, 559 in this make and model, 839 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KFNT, 6 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 20160625009899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160625009899A), Jun 25, 2016: Cessna 172M, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. Landing on runway 18 felt the aircraft lurch to the left on touchdown. While putting the aircraft in the hangar saw damage to left horizontal stab and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93502. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.