# NTSB GAA18CA032: Piper PA28, N4509F, West Seneca, NY, October 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2017, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: West Seneca, NY - Coordinates: 42.861946, -78.716667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8619&lon=-78.7167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96268/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96268 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA032 ## Probable cause The airplane's collision with a deer during the landing roll. ## 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: [Piper PA-28-151, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102805), [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-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, in day visual meteorological conditions, during the landing roll, a deer "appeared from high grass and bushes" from the right of the runway. He added that, before he could react, the deer impacted the inboard section of the right wing. The flight instructor stopped the airplane on the runway and then taxied to the ramp without further incident The right wing 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] arpt [airport]." ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, in day visual meteorological conditions, during the landing roll, a deer "appeared from high grass and bushes" from the right of the runway. He added that, before he could react, the deer impacted the inboard section of the right wing. The flight instructor stopped the airplane on the runway, and then taxied to the ramp without further incident The right wing 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] arpt [airport]. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4509F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4509F-2019-04-24), registration cancelled 2019-04-24, S/N 28-7715044, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (151) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7715044 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7903 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, September 12, 2017 - Departed: 9G3, AKRON, NY - Destination: 9G0, West Seneca, NY - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 9G0, Buffalo Airfield, runway 24, 2,668 × 59 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review November 16, 2015; flight hours: 3,200 total, 1,000 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 58; injuries: none; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KBUF, 4 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 20171027020419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171027020419A), Oct 27, 2017: Piper PA-28-151, West Seneca, NY, Substantial damage. After landing at 9G0 runway 24, a deer struck the right wing leading edge between the fuel tank and fuselage causing substantial damage to the wing. ## Other investigations on N4509F (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC82FFJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FFJ06), Nov 15, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N4509F), Rochester, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96268. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Chart Supplement 9G0 (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Chart%20Supplement%209G0-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 800 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.