Event MIA98LA126

Factual narrative

On April 6, 1998, about 2345 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172I, N35594, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff from Mallards Landing Airport, Mallards Landing, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he was on takeoff from runway 06, and had just rotated when he observed a deer moving from right to left in front of the airplane. He used a little bit of left rudder and aileron in an attempt to miss the deer. The main landing gear collided with something, and the airplane nosed over inverted off the side of the runway. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with a dirt mound in a construction area while trying to avoid a deer at rotation on the takeoff roll. The pilot was on the takeoff roll and had started the rotation for takeoff when he observed a deer crossing from right to left. He applied left rudder and aileron in order to avoid a collision. The main gear collided with a dirt mound (berm) and the airplane nosed over inverted off the side of the runway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12