FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Pilot Aborts Landing After Deer Encounter, Subsequently Lands Off Runway (N41381)

Spicewood, TX, US

On January 21, 1996, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N41381) was involved in an aviation accident near Spicewood, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's intentional evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a deer on the runway during landing. A factor was the bush that the airplane collided with during the aborted landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

After touching down, a pilot saw a deer on the runway, veered left, and went off the runway. Aborting the landing, the plane struck a bush and could not clear power lines, leading to an off-runway landing.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, immediately after the airplane touched down, he observed a deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane then veered to the left, causing the left main landing gear to depart the paved surface. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full throttle.

Sequence of Events

During the subsequent acceleration, the airplane's left wing struck a bush. At an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet above the ground, the pilot determined that the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to clear power lines and trees bordering the airport. Consequently, the pilot elected to close the throttle and land in a clear area to the left side of the runway.

Final Remarks

The pilot's account provides the sole factual basis for this report. No additional details regarding the aircraft, its occupants, or damage were provided in the source material.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Jan 1996 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Spicewood, TX?

After touching down, a pilot saw a deer on the runway, veered left, and went off the runway. Aborting the landing, the plane struck a bush and could not clear power lines, leading to an off-runway landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Jan 1996 Piper PA-32-260 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Jan 1996 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N41381, at Spicewood, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's intentional evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a deer on the runway during landing. A factor was the bush that the airplane collided with during the aborted landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05143. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.