GAA19CA304

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, three deer ran from right to left across the runway. He felt a hard strike on the inboard section of the right wing, observed a deer roll over the right wing, and felt a sensation of the right landing gear "hopped" as it ran over a second deer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot and passenger had to egress through the rear baggage door due to damage to the cabin door. After exiting the plane, the pilot noticed copious amounts of fuel pouring from the damaged wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that this was the second deer strike the airplane experienced in the previous three weeks, and airport management was aware of the situation. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement, South Central U.S. page for the accident airport, in part, stated: "Wildlife on and [in vicinity of] airport." The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, three deer ran across the runway. He felt a hard strike on the inboard section of the right wing, saw a deer roll over the right wing, and felt a sensation like the right landing gear "hopped" as it ran over a second deer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that this was the second deer strike the airplane experienced in the previous three weeks, that he had seen deer standing on the runway numerous times, and that airport management was aware of the situation. He stated that the airport had only 500 linear ft of chain-link fence and a gate at the airport entrance and that the rest of the airport was only surrounded by three strands of barbed wire in "various states of disrepair." The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement, South Central U.S. page for the accident airport, in part, stated the following: "Wildlife on and [in 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
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment - C
• C Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Security-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Security-Contributed to outcome - C