Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The inadvertent collision with a deer during takeoff which resulted in damage to the right brake system and the airplane being unable to stop prior to the end of the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On October 19, 2004, about 0820, eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N6075FT registered to and operated by FIT Aviation LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, struck a deer during takeoff on runway 14 at Valkaria Airport, Valkaria, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida, earlier that day, about 0800.
The pilot stated that he was in the takeoff portion of the third touch-and-go, when a deer ran out from the infield and struck the right side of the airplane wing root area. He reduced engine power to idle and applied the brakes but the right brakes had failed. The airplane veered off the runway and came to stop at the departure end of runway 9 in the grass.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA05CA014