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IAD96LA130

1996-08-09 · GAITHERSBURG, Maryland, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport GAI

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the unexpected appearance of a deer on the runway.

Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 9, 1996, at about 1740 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N1439T, owned and operated by Aero Industries, Inc., struck a deer during departure from Montgomery County Airpark, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The pilot and the one passenger were not injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight was departing Gaithersburg with an intended destination of Richmond, Virginia, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot stated that on takeoff roll at about 60 knots, (kts) or so he took his eyes from outside to inside to check his airspeed. At about 70 kts he began to put back pressure on the control yoke. At about 75 to 80 kts, the nose wheel lifted off and the weight transferred from the main gear to the wings. He said it was at this moment that he heard a loud bang and the aircraft pitched up about 7 to 8 degrees followed by a flicker of the stall warning light. He said the engine was still at full power however the aircraft felt crippled. He attempted several times to turn left but the aircraft would "buffet" so he turned right and returned to the airport without further incident.

WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION

Damage was found on the right wing, right flap, top right side of the right elevator, right main fuel cell, and the right main landing gear strut. During the takeoff roll, the pilot took his eyes off the runway to scan his airspeed. At about 75 to 80 kts, he began to rotate, then he heard a loud bang. The aircraft pitched up 7 to 8 degrees and the stall warning light illuminated. The pilot was able to control the aircraft and returned to the airport, where he landed without further incident. Investigation revealed the aircraft sustained substantial damage when it struck a deer. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1996_IAD96LA130.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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