Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA11CA072

Andover, NJ, USA

Aircraft #1

N15499

PIPER PA-28-140

Analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane was on final approach with the runway lights and airplane landing lights illuminated. During the landing flare, he heard a "bang" from the right side of the airplane. As the airplane continued on the landing rollout, the right wing settled onto the ground. The airplane veered to the right and came to rest on the edge of the runway surface. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear was separated, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The separated right main landing gear was located on the runway adjacent to a dead deer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to it colliding with the deer.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, he was on final approach to runway 3, and the runway lights and airplane landing lights were illuminated. He initiated the landing flare, and then heard a "bang" from the right side of the airplane. During the landing rollout, the right wing settled onto the ground, the airplane veered to the right, and then came to rest on the edge of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear was separated, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The separated right main landing gear was located on the runway adjacent to a dead deer. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to striking the deer.

Probable Cause and Findings

An inadvertent collision with a deer on the runway during a night landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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