# NTSB IAD96LA130: Piper PA-32-260, N1439T, Gaithersburg, MD, August 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1996, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Gaithersburg, MD - Location: 39.1683° N, 77.1660° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONTGOMERY COUNTY AIRPARK (GAI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1683&lon=-77.1660&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28096/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA130 ## Probable cause the unexpected appearance of a deer on the runway. ## 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 During the takeoff roll, the pilot took his eyes off the runway to scan his airspeed. At about 75 to 80 kts, he began to rotate, then he heard a loud bang. The aircraft pitched up 7 to 8 degrees and the stall warning light illuminated. The pilot was able to control the aircraft and returned to the airport, where he landed without further incident. Investigation revealed the aircraft sustained substantial damage when it struck a deer. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 9, 1996, at about 1740 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N1439T, owned and operated by Aero Industries, Inc., struck a deer during departure from Montgomery County Airpark, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The pilot and the one passenger were not injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight was departing Gaithersburg with an intended destination of Richmond, Virginia, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot stated that on takeoff roll at about 60 knots, (kts) or so he took his eyes from outside to inside to check his airspeed. At about 70 kts he began to put back pressure on the control yoke. At about 75 to 80 kts, the nose wheel lifted off and the weight transferred from the main gear to the wings. He said it was at this moment that he heard a loud bang and the aircraft pitched up about 7 to 8 degrees followed by a flicker of the stall warning light. He said the engine was still at full power however the aircraft felt crippled. He attempted several times to turn left but the aircraft would "buffet" so he turned right and returned to the airport without further incident. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION Damage was found on the right wing, right flap, top right side of the right elevator, right main fuel cell, and the right main landing gear strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1439T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1439T-2009-08-18), registration cancelled 2009-08-18, S/N 32-7200039, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7200039 - Airframe hours: 11588 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Aero Industries - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 1996, 22 hours before - Departed: GAI - Destination: RIC, RICHMOND, VA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GAI, Gaithersburg, runway 32, 4,196 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,162 total, 1,452 in this make and model, 4,230 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19960809046009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960809046009A), Aug 9, 1996: Piper PA32260, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. (.4)During the takeoff roll, the pilot took his eyes off the runway to scan his airspeed. At about 75 to 80 KTS, he began to rotate, then he heard a loud bang.… 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.