Wildlife Encounter (Non-Bird): Piper PA-32R-301T, N9966G; accident occurred June 01, 2019 and incident occurred April 21, 2019 at Marion County Regional Airport (KFLP), Flippin, Arkansas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N9966G

Location: Flippin, AR
Accident Number: GAA19CA304
Date & Time: 06/01/2019, 2015 CDT
Registration: N9966G
Aircraft: Piper PA32R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, three deer ran across the runway. He felt a hard strike on the inboard section of the right wing, saw a deer roll over the right wing, and felt a sensation like the right landing gear "hopped" as it ran over a second deer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied to the ramp without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot added that this was the second deer strike the airplane experienced in the previous three weeks, that he had seen deer standing on the runway numerous times, and that airport management was aware of the situation. He stated that the airport had only 500 linear ft of chain-link fence and a gate at the airport entrance and that the rest of the airport was only surrounded by three strands of barbed wire in "various states of disrepair."

The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement, South Central U.S. page for the accident airport, in part, stated the following:

"Wildlife on and [in vicinity of] airport." 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's collision with deer during the landing and the airport's failure to provide an adequate barrier to prevent wildlife from entering the runway environment despite previous deer strikes.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Ability to respond/compensate (Cause)
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on equipment (Cause)
Security - Effect on operation (Cause)
Security - Contributed to outcome (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Wildlife encounter (non-bird) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s):None 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/28/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/28/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 916 hours (Total, all aircraft), 313 hours (Total, this make and model), 452 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N9966G
Model/Series: PA32R 301T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3257370
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/01/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1087 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TIO-540-AHIA
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFLP, 719 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0156 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 53°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Flippin, AR (FLP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Flippin, AR (FLP)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1910 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Marion County Rgnl (FLP)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 719 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5001 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  36.290833, -92.590278 (est)

April 21, 2019: Struck a deer on landing rollout.

Date: 21-APR-19
Time: 04:30:00Z
Regis#: N9966G
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA 32R 301T
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FLIPPIN
State: ARKANSAS