Pilot Debrief

Piper PA23 near Atlanta, GA — 2019-05-18

Final reportGAA19CA310
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Date
2019-05-18
Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
Airport
FFC
Aircraft
Piper PA23
Registration
N6562A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The airplane’s impact with a deer on the runway during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, as the main landing gear touched down, he saw three deer run across the runway from the right to the left and directly under the airplane. He decided to go around and added power and increased pitch, but he was not able to clear the animals, and he heard and felt an impact under the airplane. He decided to abort the go-around, so he reduced power and landed back on the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory page for the accident airport stated, in part, the following: "Deer on and [in vicinity of] airport."

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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