# NTSB GAA17CA446: Piper PA46, N41827, Franklin, VA, July 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2017, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Franklin, VA - Coordinates: 36.700279, -76.902221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7003&lon=-76.9022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA446 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95692/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95692 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA446 ## Probable cause A collision with a deer during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a day, visual meteorological conditions flight, just after touchdown, a deer jumped out onto the runway. He added that he made a "hard left turn" into soft grass next to the runway, and as the airplane was almost stopped, the nosewheel collapsed. The engine mounts and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement for the airport stated, in part: "Deer on and…[in the vicinity of] airport." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a day visual metrological condition flight, just after touch down, a deer jumped out onto the runway. He added that he made a "hard left turn," into soft grass next to the runway, and as the airplane was almost stopped, the nose wheel collapsed. The engine mounts and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement for the airport stated in part: "Deer on and invof [in the vicinity of] airport." ## Aircraft - Registration: N41827 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA46 (350P) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636308 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2603.31 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dw Miller Construction Inc - Registered owner: Dw Miller Construction Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2016 - Departed: CTY, CROSS CITY, FL - Destination: FKN, Franklin, VA - Airport: FKN, Franklin Muni-John Beverly Ros, runway 27, 4,976 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KFKN ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95692. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - FAA Chart Supplement_KFKN Airport (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Chart%20Supplement_KFKN%20Airport-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.