# NTSB IAD02LA016: Piper PA-28-235, N9373W, Coatesville, PA, November 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2001, 22:00 local (Nov 16, 2001, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Coatesville, PA - Coordinates: 39.978889, -75.86528 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9789&lon=-75.8653&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53793/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA016 ## Probable cause Collision with a deer during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - animal(s) (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot initiated the takeoff, and rotated the airplane about 70 knots. During the rotation, the flight instructor noticed a "blur" on the left side of the airplane, and felt an impact. He took control of the airplane, reduced the power, and landed on the remaining runway. After exiting the airplane, the pilots observed a deceased deer near the runway, and deer fur was observed on one propeller blade. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2001, at 2200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9373W, was substantially damaged when it collided with a deer during takeoff, at the Chester County Airport (40N), Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The certified flight instructor (CFI), student pilot, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, he taxied the airplane to runway 29 for takeoff. The student pilot then took the controls and initiated the takeoff roll. As the airplane reached about 70 knots, the student pilot pulled back on the control yoke to rotate the airplane. The flight instructor then noticed a "blur" on the left side of the airplane, and felt an impact. He took over the flight controls, reduced the power to idle, and landed on the remaining runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the airplane sustained damage to the left wing spar, and the left fuel tank was ruptured. Additionally, a deceased deer was found near the runway, and deer fur was observed on one propeller blade. Weather at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about 22 miles from 40N, at 2153, included calm wind and 10 miles visibility. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9373W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9373W), registered now, S/N 28-11064, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-11064 - Airframe hours: 2486 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chester County Aviation Holdings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 2001, 35 hours before - Departed: 40N, Coatesville, PA - Destination: RDG, Reading, PA - Airport: 40N, Chester County Airport, runway 29, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 25, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 2,400 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,790 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 0 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: LNS, 22 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 20011115038729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011115038729A), Nov 15, 2001: Piper PA28235, Coatesvilla, PA, No damage. (-23) On takeoff at 40N, N9373 was struck by a deer. 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.