GAA17CA446

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a day visual metrological condition flight, just after touch down, a deer jumped out onto the runway. He added that he made a "hard left turn," into soft grass next to the runway, and as the airplane was almost stopped, the nose wheel collapsed. The engine mounts and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement for the airport stated in part: "Deer on and invof [in the vicinity of] airport." The pilot reported that, during a day, visual meteorological conditions flight, just after touchdown, a deer jumped out onto the runway. He added that he made a "hard left turn" into soft grass next to the runway, and as the airplane was almost stopped, the nosewheel collapsed. The engine mounts and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement for the airport stated, in part: "Deer on and…[in the vicinity of] airport." 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
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Contributed to outcome