N28122

On December 17, 1997, approximately 1930 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N28122, was destroyed during a forced landing and collision with the terrain after striking a deer on takeoff from Jefferson County Airpark Airport, Steubenville, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor and private pilot received serious injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The private pilot and certificated flight instructor (CFI) taxied to the runway, where the private pilot applied power and started the takeoff roll. The pilots reported that they felt a jolt just after rotation, and the airplane veered to the right. The CFI immediately took control of the airplane and began to maneuver the airplane around obstructions. The CFI reported that the airplane responded sluggishly to his inputs, and that it would not climb or accelerate. The CFI stated that he was concerned that the airplane would stall, so he lowered the nose, and shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with trees.

A deer carcass along with parts from the airplane's right wing were found by local authorities less than a third of the way from the approach end of the runway.