# NTSB GAA19CA264: Aero Commander 695, N51DM, Mount Holly, NJ, May 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2019, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Mount Holly, NJ - Coordinates: 39.941944, -74.848609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9419&lon=-74.8486&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99427 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99427/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99427 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA264 ## Probable cause The airplane’s impact with a deer on the runway during takeoff. ## 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: [Gulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3970411), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [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: [Gulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3970411), [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. - [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=3970411), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Gulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3970411), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, just as the airplane became airborne, a deer struck the right side of the fuselage. The pilot determined that there would not be sufficient runway remaining to land, so he quickly performed a "controllability test," which indicated that pitch control was abnormal. He determined that he was able to control the airplane enough to enter the traffic pattern and attempt a landing. The airplane landed hard, and the pilot then initiated reverse thrust and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The pilot reported that he never saw the deer, but seconds before impact, the copilot saw the deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot 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 page for the airport stated, in part, the following: "Deer on and [in vicinity of airport]." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff, right as the airplane became airborne, a deer struck the fuselage on the right side. The pilot determined that they would not have sufficient runway remaining to land, so the pilot quickly performed a "controllability test", which indicated that pitch control was abnormal. He determined that he was able to control the airplane enough to enter the traffic pattern and attempt a landing. The airplane landed hard, the pilot initiated reverse thrust, and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The pilot reported that he never observed the deer, but seconds before impact, the copilot saw the deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot 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 page for the accident airport, in part, stated: "Deer on and [in vicinity of airport]." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51DM), registered now, S/N 96014, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 695 (A) - Registry model: [Gulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-am-corp-comm-div-695a) (registry code 3970411) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 96014 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 2599 - Engines: Garrett Airesearch TPE33110501K 900 horsepower turbo prop; Garrett Airesearch TPE33110501K 900 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Jersey Ordnance Inc - Registered owner: Jersey Ordnance Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 2019 - Departed: VAY, Mount Holy, NJ - Destination: ASH, Nashua, NH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: VAY, South Jersey Rgnl, runway 08, 3,881 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,944 total, 111 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days - Co-pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review April 29, 2004; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,356 total, 3,137 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KVAY, 1 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 20190511006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190511006499A), May 11, 2019: Gulfstream Am Corp Comm Div 695A, Mount Holly, NJ, Substantial damage. On may 11, 2019 at 10:00 am eastern standard time (EST), Gulfstream twin commander GA-695-A, N51DM, was substantially damaged from a deer strike during takeoff… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99427. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Co-pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Co-pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473175&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.