What happened
The incident occurred during a training flight involving multiple touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff phase of the fourth such maneuver, the pilot reported hearing and feeling a distinct impact immediately after rotation. As the aircraft continued its climbout, the pilot visually identified a deer carcass lying on the runway surface where the strike had occurred.
The pilot subsequently executed an uneventful full-stop landing to inspect the airframe. Post-flight inspection revealed substantial damage concentrated at the left main gear attach point. The pilot later stated that he had sighted a deer running away from the aircraft at a 45-degree angle just as rotation began, indicating the collision occurred during the initial climb phase.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft confirmed structural compromise to the landing gear system. The damage was localized specifically to the attachment points for the left main landing gear assembly. No other significant airframe damage was noted in the provided narrative.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the incident was the collision with a large animal on the runway environment. Substantial damage resulted from this impact, affecting the structural integrity of the left main gear support. The pilot's observation of the deer at rotation suggests the strike was unavoidable given the proximity to the ground and the sudden appearance of the obstacle.