N6159X

On August 21, 2005, at 1915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421C, N6159X, was substantially damaged when it impacted several deer while landing at Solberg Airport (N51), Readington, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and 7 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB), Lebanon, New Hampshire, at 1745. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot described a routine flight, and said the airplane was performing "perfectly" as he approached the destination airport. At the exact moment of touchdown to the runway, a "herd of deer" ran across the runway in the airplane's path. The airplane struck 2 or 3 deer, then veered to the right and departed the runway surface.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the scene. According to the inspector, two of the deer remained on the runway, and evidence of their collision with the airplane remained on the aircraft.