GAA18CA150

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a night landing, he saw "a streak of motion" in his peripheral vision, followed by an impact to the empennage. He regained directional control and taxied clear of the runway. In a postaccident examination, it was revealed that a deer struck the horizontal stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during a night landing, he saw "a streak of motion" in his peripheral vision, followed by an impact with the empennage. He regained directional control and taxied clear of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that a deer struck the horizontal stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Dark-Effect on personnel
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate