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WPR24LA244

2024-07-11 · Lakeport, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SMF

Current FAA registration · N4443X

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28R-200
Year of manufacture
1975 · 49 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING I0360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A55C50

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

A collision with a deer during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a nighttime takeoff, the airplane struck a deer on the runway, which severed the left main landing gear. Subsequently, the left main landing gear impacted the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot continued the takeoff, declared an emergency, and flew to a suitable airport before they landed uneventfully. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_WPR24LA244.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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