N8027G

On November 17, 2000, at 1810 central standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N8027G, collided with a deer during a landing roll on runway 31 (3,300 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Wautoma Municipal Airport, Wautoma, Wisconsin. The commercial pilot and the one passenger on board were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the left stabilizer. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated from Marysville, Ohio, at 1500 eastern standard time.

The pilot reported that he kept the nose wheel off the runway as long as possible after touchdown. He reported that as the nose was descending, he saw a deer on the runway approximately 50-60 feet in front of the airplane. He then veered the airplane to the right to avoid hitting the deer with the propeller and the nose of the airplane. The deer panicked and ran back toward the airplane. The wing passed over the top of the deer; however the deer contacted the left horizontal stabilizer.

The pilot reported that the light conditions at the time of the accident were bright night due to snow on the ground. He also reported that light snow was falling at the time of the accident, which reduced his ability to see the deer on the runway.