N1282H

On August 13, 2000, at 2000 central daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC single-engine airplane, N1282H, was substantially damaged when it collided with a cow during landing at a private airstrip near Pettigrew, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot was not injured and his sole passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip, about 15-20 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that there were some cows on his private airstrip, and he made several passes to clear the cows. The cows moved to the west end of the east/west airstrip, and he initiated a "normal" approach to the east. As he flew over the cows, he thought he had cleared the cows; however, one of the cows had moved, and the main landing gear struck and killed it. The airplane came to rest inverted about 30 feet beyond the cow.

The pilot stated that the leading edge of the airplane's right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the nose and main landing gear were damaged.