# NTSB WPR24LA244: Piper PA-28R-200, N4443X, Lakeport, CA, July 12, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2024, 20:35 local (Jul 12, 2024, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.990545, -122.90197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9905&lon=-122.9020&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194699/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194699
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA244

## Probable cause

A collision with a deer during takeoff.

## 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102811), [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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102811), [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.

- [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a nighttime takeoff, the airplane struck a deer on the runway, which severed the left main landing gear. Subsequently, the left main landing gear impacted the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot continued the takeoff, declared an emergency, and flew to a suitable airport before they landed uneventfully.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4443X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4443X), registered now, S/N 28R-7635044, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7635044
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 12545
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mach 5 Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Fox Two LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2024
- Departed: 1O2, Lampson, CA
- Destination: Auburn, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SMF, Sacramento Intl, runway 17R/35L, 8,598 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 421 total, 105 in this make and model, 421 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 85 °F

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194699. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17696826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17695838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20-%20WPR24LA244-Rel.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.