NTSB CEN11CA501 — 2011-07-21 · Bolivar, Missouri, United States

Current FAA registration · N3815W

Make / Model: PIPER PA-32-260
Year of manufacture: 1966 · 45 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES (250 hp)
Seats / Engines: 6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19660813
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A4621D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N3815W Piper PA-32-260 None

Probable cause & findings

The collision with a deer during landing at an airport with known wildlife activity.

Factual narrative

The airplane was landing at the destination airport when it struck a deer upon touchdown. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing leading edge, which was part of the integral fuel tank. The pilot stated that the airport had not been recently mowed and the vegetation along each side of the runway was more than 36 inches high, which may have acted as an attractant to wildlife. The Airport Facility Directory remarks for the airport stated that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. During the landing flare and touchdown, the aiplane struck a deer. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing leading edge, which was part of the integral fuel tank. The Airport Facility Directory remarks for the airport stated that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Contributed to outcome - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_CEN11CA501.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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