Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Collision with a deer during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On November 15, 2001, at 2200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9373W, was substantially damaged when it collided with a deer during takeoff, at the Chester County Airport (40N), Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The certified flight instructor (CFI), student pilot, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the flight instructor, he taxied the airplane to runway 29 for takeoff. The student pilot then took the controls and initiated the takeoff roll. As the airplane reached about 70 knots, the student pilot pulled back on the control yoke to rotate the airplane. The flight instructor then noticed a "blur" on the left side of the airplane, and felt an impact. He took over the flight controls, reduced the power to idle, and landed on the remaining runway.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the airplane sustained damage to the left wing spar, and the left fuel tank was ruptured. Additionally, a deceased deer was found near the runway, and deer fur was observed on one propeller blade.
Weather at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about 22 miles from 40N, at 2153, included calm wind and 10 miles visibility.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# IAD02LA016