# NTSB NYC06CA212: Piper PA 38-112, N6401A, Chesapeake, VA, August 21, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 20, 2006, 20:20 local (Aug 21, 2006, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.779998, -76.44889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7800&lon=-76.4489&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Richmond FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA212

## Probable cause

The presence of deer on the runway during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision.  A factor in the accident was the dark night.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - not possible, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

While performing a landing at night, the pilot of a Piper PA 38-112 saw a deer about 30 feet ahead of the airplane in the center of the runway. He added power, steered to the left, and struck a second deer that was out of his view with the left main landing gear.  The left main landing gear then separated, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway after striking several runway lights. The pilot stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

While performing a landing at night, the pilot of a Piper PA 38-112 saw a deer about 30 feet ahead of the airplane in the center of the runway. He added power, steered to the left, and struck a second deer that was out of his view with the left main landing gear.  The left main landing gear then separated, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway after striking several runway lights. The pilot stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6401A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6401A), registered now, S/N 38-78A0416 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA 38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0416
- Airframe hours: 3667.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bishop Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: William B. Bishop
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2006
- Departed: KAKQ, Wakefield, VA
- Destination: KPVG, Chesapeake, VA
- Airport: KPVG, Hampton Roads Executive, runway 02, 3,524 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 62 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KNGU, 12 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 20060820017589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060820017589A), Aug 20, 2006: Piper PA38112, Portmouth, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 20, 2006, at 22:15 local time N6401A, a Piper PA-38-112 aircraft landed on runway 02 at Hampton Roads executive airport (pvg) and struck 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.

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