Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's intentional evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a deer on the runway during landing. A factor was the bush that the airplane collided with during the aborted landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On January 20, 1996, at 1805 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N41381, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged while landing at the Austin Air Ranch near Spicewood, Texas. The private pilot and his 5 passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at Angleton, Texas, at 1630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight for which no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, immediately after the airplane touched down on runway 17, he observed a deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane's left main gear went off the side of the runway. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full throttle. During the acceleration, the airplane's left wing struck a "bush". At approximately 10 to 15 feet off the ground, the pilot determined that the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to clear the power lines and trees bordering the airport. The pilot elected to close the throttle and land in a clear area to the left side of the runway.
Inspection of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear was damaged and the propeller blades were bent. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96LA102