CHI98LA181

Factual narrative

On May 31, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R- 200, N9324N, operated by a commercial pilot collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control during a go-around at the Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport, Sikeston, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Somerville, Tennessee, at 1255 cdt. The pilot stated that at an altitude of about 10-15 feet above the ground, during his landing flare, two deer ran across the runway. He reported, "...I tried to go up and over them but I was behind my power curve and was unable to maintain directional control due to the crosswind and torque of the engine." The airplane veered to the left and off the side of the runway where it contacted a small group of trees. Two deer ran across the runway as the airplane was at an altitude of 10-15 feet agl during the landing flare. The pilot attempted to climb the airplane over the deer. He stated the airplane was '...behind my power curve...' and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway where it contacted a small group of trees. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12