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GAA16CA044

2015-11-09 · Newfane, New York, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport D80

N3679L has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (JUST AIRCRAFT LLC HIGHLANDER), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

An evasive maneuver during landing to avoid deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll he observed two deer walk onto the runway. He reported that he avoided the deer by adding power and applying back pressure to the yoke. After he "cleared" the deer, the airplane "dropped" back onto the runway and began to porpoise. The pilot reported that he did not have enough airspeed to take off, and there was not enough remaining runway to stop prior to impacting the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that during the landing roll he observed two deer walk onto the runway. He reported that he avoided the deer by adding power and applying back pressure to the yoke. After he "cleared" the deer, the airplane "dropped" back onto the runway and began to porpoise. The pilot reported that he did not have enough airspeed to take off, and there was not enough remaining runway to stop prior to impacting the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. 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)-Ability to respond/compensate - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA16CA044.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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