Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The inadvertent sliding of the airplane on tall grass when the pilot aborted takeoff and the swerved the airplane to the left of the runway to avoid deer which had walked onto the runway, resulting in the airplanes left wing contacting a tree.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 29, 2001, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Beech A45, N45GS, registered to Group 144 S, Inc., collided with a tree during an aborted takeoff at Sebastian Cove Airport, Eatonton, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that during takeoff to the east, he observed three deer crossing the runway in front of him. He aborted the takeoff and simultaneously swerved to the left to avoid contact with the deer. There was tall grass along the side of the runway and the airplane began to slide on the tall grass. The left wing of the airplane then impacted a 6 to 8 inch diameter tree.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA01LA233