Wildlife Encounter (Non-Bird): Piper PA-32R-301, N299HP; accident occurred April 11, 2021 at Troy Municipal Airport (KTOI), Pike County, Alabama

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

N299HP LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N299HP

Location: Troy, Alabama

Accident Number: ERA21LA186

Date & Time: April 11, 2021, 09:15 Local 

Registration: N299HP

Aircraft: Piper PA-32R-301

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, seconds after touchdown, a deer impacted the leading edge of the right wing and then impacted the right side of the fuselage. Neither the pilot nor his passenger observed the deer before impact. He observed the deer lying on the runway and taxied to the ramp and to examine the damage. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the damage to the fuselage was substantial.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

An unanticipated encounter with a deer shortly after touchdown, resulting in a collision and substantial damage to the airframe.

Findings

Environmental issues Animal(s)/bird(s) - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight engineer; Flight instructor; Military

Age: 52, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Instrument airplane

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: March 3, 2021

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 30, 2020

Flight Time: 11512 hours (Total, all aircraft), 86 hours (Total, this make and model), 104 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper

Registration: N299HP

Model/Series: PA-32R-301

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1999

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 

Serial Number: 3246136

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle 

Seats: 6

Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 1, 2020 Annual 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 68 Hrs

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 2306 Hrs as of last inspection 

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: Installed, not activated 

Engine Model/Series: IO-540-K1G5

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 300

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: TOI,397 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 09:53 Local 

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Visibility:

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1400 ft AGL 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 14°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Huntsville, AL (MDQ)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR

Destination: Troy, AL

Type of Clearance: IFR

Departure Time: 08:06 Local

Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: TROY MUNI AT N KENNETH CAMPBELL FLD TOI

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 397 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 07/25

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 6197 ft / 100 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None

Latitude, Longitude: 31.86,-86.013889(est)