Piper PA-32-300, N31396: Accident occurred June 09, 2016 in Lincoln Park, Morris County, New Jersey

http://registry.faa.gov/N31396

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Teterboro FSDO-25

Aviation Accident Final Report  -  National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Docket And Docket Items -   National Transportation Safety Board:   https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary  -  National Transportation Safety Board:   https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA314
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 09, 2016 in Lincoln Park, NJ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/05/2016
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32, registration: N31396
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot in command (PIC) reported that he executed a normal approach, following an instrument proficiency check. He reported that during the landing flare the flight instructor, "grabbed the yoke and pulled up," and he heard a loud thump. The PIC reported that he thought the flight instructor was performing a go around, however the flight instructor said, "we hit a deer and must not go around." The airplane settled to the runway, the right wing "dipped onto the ground" and slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear attachment point.

The PIC reported that he exited the airplane and saw the right main landing gear and the deer on the runway near the intended touchdown point.

The pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane prior to striking the deer.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The airplane struck a deer during the landing flare resulting in substantial damage.