Sunday, July 25, 2021

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:
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)

2 comments:

  1. And this folks is yet another example of why we need to control the deer population. Hundreds die annually and over 10,000 more are injured, many permanently, from vehicle crashes with deer. They are good eating too if their foliage diet is good. Human life > animal life.

    ReplyDelete