ATL03CA135

Factual narrative

On August 31, 2003, at 1944 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3542K, registered to Max Air Inc., and operated by a certified flight instructor (CFI) collided with a deer during takeoff roll on runway 18 at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the CFI and private pilot were not injured. The local flight originated from Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at 1942, on August 31, 2003. According to the flight instructor during take off at approximately 70 knots a deer charged the airplane. The power was reduced to idle and the deer struck the airplane. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass. The airplane came to rest on a 355-degree magnetic heading. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right front engine cowling, and bending of the propeller. The right side of the firewall was buckled. During take off at approximately 70 knots a deer charged the airplane. The power was reduced to idle and the deer struck the airplane. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right front engine cowling, and bending of the propeller. The right side of the firewall was buckled. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12