# NTSB GAA18CA402: Piper PA28, N7104F, Rolla, MO, June 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2018, 21:00 local (Jun 28, 2018, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Rolla, MO - Coordinates: 38.127498, -91.769447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1275&lon=-91.7694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA402 ## Probable cause A collision with a deer on the runway during the takeoff roll at night. ## 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: [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) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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, during the takeoff roll at night with the student pilot on the controls, the airplane's left wing struck a deer on the runway. They maneuvered the airplane off the runway without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory, Airport Remarks, for the accident airport stated, in part, that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during the takeoff roll at night, with the student pilot on the controls, the airplane's left wing struck a deer on the runway. They maneuvered the airplane off the runway without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory, Airport Remarks, for the accident airport states in part that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7104F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7104F), registered now, S/N 28-7715197, 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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7715197 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7286.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E3D 151 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2018 - Departed: VIH, ROLLA, MO - Destination: VIH, ROLLA, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VIH, Rolla National, runway 31, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,900 total, 36 in this make and model, 1,805 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KVIH ## 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 20180627008669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180627008669A), Jun 27, 2018: Piper PA-28-151, Vichy, MO, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll at approximately 60 knots, the aircraft?s left wing struck a deer on the runway. The animal struck the left wing leading edge towards the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97715. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471281&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.