# NTSB GAA20CA080: Symphony Aircraft Ind SA, N844SA, Fitzgerald, GA, November 12, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2019, 19:15 local (Nov 12, 2019, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Fitzgerald, GA
- Coordinates: 31.683889, -83.270835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6839&lon=-83.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100583/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100583
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA080

## Probable cause

The airplane’s impact with a deer while landing.

## 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: [Symphony Aircraft Ind SA 160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05619SU), [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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Symphony Aircraft Ind SA 160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05619SU), [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.

- [Taxi-from runway: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Symphony Aircraft Ind SA 160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=05619SU), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, a deer ran across the runway and struck the airplane's right side. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nosewheel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll at night, a deer ran across the runway and struck the right side of the airplane. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N844SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N844SA), registered now, S/N S-0015, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SYMPHONY AIRCRAFT IND INC SA (160)
- Registry model: [Symphony Aircraft Ind SA 160](https://openairdocs.org/model/symphony-aircraft-ind-sa-160) (registry code 05619SU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d2a) (registry code 42150, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S-0015
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 773.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2019
- Departed: DQH, Douglas, GA
- Destination: FZG, Fitzgerald, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: FZG, Fitzgerald Muni, runway 02, 5,000 × 101 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 178.5 total, 115 in this make and model, 178.5 as pilot in command, 36.5 in the last 90 days, 12.1 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KFZG

## 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 20191111021019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191111021019A), Nov 11, 2019: Symphony Aircraft Ind Inc SA 160, Fitzgerald, GA, Substantial damage. On Monday November 11, 2019, at approximately 7:15 p.m. eastern daylight time, a 2006 Symphony, model sa 160 with registration N844SA sustained major damage as…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100583. 591 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Damage Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%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.

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