Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN12CA305

Crystal Falls, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N4742E

CESSNA A185F

Analysis

Two deer ran out of a wooded area and toward the runway from left to right in front of the airplane during the landing roll. The pilot applied left rudder in an attempt to avoid the deer, assuming they were going to continue across the runway. One of the deer continued across the runway. The other deer stopped on the runway and turned around to go back into the woods. The pilot applied right rudder in order to avoid the second deer and the airplane ground-looped. The left wing was substantially damaged when it contacted the ground during the ground loop.

Factual Information

Two deer ran out of a wooded area and toward the runway from left to right in front of the airplane during the landing roll. The pilot applied left rudder in an attempt to avoid the deer, assuming they were going to continue across the runway. One of the deer continued across the runway. The other deer stopped on the runway and turned around going back into the woods. The pilot applied right rudder in order to avoid the second deer and the airplane ground looped. The left wing was substantially damaged when it contacted the terrain during the ground loop.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid deer that unexpectedly ran into the airplane's path during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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