# NTSB WPR12CA073: Mcadam W E Christen Eagle II, N45WM, Eureka, CA, January 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2012, 16:30 local (Jan 2, 2012, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Eureka, CA - Coordinates: 40.803333, -124.112777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8033&lon=-124.1128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA073 ## Probable cause A collision 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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05658HV), [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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05658HV), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=05658HV), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05658HV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, he noticed a deer (or possibly several deer) move onto the runway. In response, he added power and attempted to maneuver away from the animal(s). The airplane impacted what he believed to be a deer. The pilot realized that the airplane had likely incurred damage that could hinder further flight, so he retarded the engine power and landed without further incident. The left wing sustained substantial damage to the leading edge. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facilities Directory for the airport contained a note stating that there are deer occasionally on the runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare, he noticed a deer (or possibly several deer) move onto the runway. In response, he added power and attempted to maneuver away from the animal(s). The airplane impacted what he believed to be a deer. The pilot retarded the engine power thinking that the airplane had likely incurred damage that would hinder further flight to complete a go-around. The left wing sustained substantial damage to the leading edge. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facilities Directory for the airport contained a note stating that there are deer occasionally on the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45WM-2017-12-19), registration cancelled 2017-12-19, S/N MCADAM-0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCADAM W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II - Registry model: [Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcadam-w-e-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658HV) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MCADAM-0001 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EKA, Eureka, CA - Destination: EKA, Eureka, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: EKA, Murray Field Airport, runway 12, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,131 total, 348 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 20120101000889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120101000889A), Jan 1, 2012: Mcadam W E CHRISTEN EAGLE II, Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. On landing the pilot veered to the left prior to touch down to avoid a deer on the runway. Aircraft struck a VASI light causing significant damage to the VASI… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82591. 557 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 557 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.