# NTSB NYC91LA237: Piper PA-28-140, N38147, Johnstown, PA, September 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1991, 20:50 local (Sep 13, 1991, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Johnstown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.309619, -78.840393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3096&lon=-78.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA237

## Probable cause

A COLLISION WITH A DEER WHILE LANDING.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS NIGHT CONDITIONS WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S VIEW OF THE DEER UNTIL IT WAS WITHIN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LANDING LIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WAS LANDING AT NIGHT WHEN A DEER RAN ONTO THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE DEER AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE DEER WAS NOT SEEN UNTIL IT WAS ILLUMINATED BY THE LANDING LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38147](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38147), registered now, S/N 28-7725251, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725231
- Airframe hours: 7119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-DE3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Air Charter Service
- Registered owner: Air Charter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1991, 90 hours before
- Departed: AFT, WASHINGTON, PA
- Destination: JST, JOHNSTOWN, PA
- Airport: JST, Johnstown-Cambria, runway 33, 5,486 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,150 total, 1,120 in this make and model, 5,760 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910912039799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910912039799A), Sep 12, 1991: Piper PA28140, Johnstown, PA, Substantial damage. On landing, aircraft hit a deer. (.4) the dual instructional flight was landing at night when a deer ran onto the runway. The airplane struck the deer and…

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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