N4887S

On August 28, 1998, at 1730 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper PA-32-260, N4887S, sustained substantial damage when during back-taxi on runway 16 at the Chippewa County Airport, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the airplane struck a runway distance remaining marker. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot and passenger on board reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he was back taxiing on runway 16 to position himself for takeoff on runway 34. While taxiing, the pilot noticed a deer on the east side of the runway. The pilot taxied along the west side of the runway, just outside of the runway lights. The pilot looked back over his shoulder to look for the deer. When he turned around, the pilot said he noticed that the airplane was too close to the runway lights. The pilot swerved the airplane to the right, where it subsequently struck the runway marker.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the airport. The leading edge of the airplane's right wing was crushed inward. The forward spar was bent aft. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent back at the leading edge and punctured inward underneath. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were revealed in the airplane's engine or other airplane systems.