Aircraft excursion and emergency landing following wildlife sighting

Casualties unknown • Spicewood, TX, US

A pilot aborted a landing and performed an emergency touchdown in a clear area after encountering a deer on the runway and striking vegetation.

What happened

Immediately after touching down, the pilot observed a deer positioned on the right side of the runway. This sighting caused the airplane to veer toward the left, resulting in the left main gear exiting the runway surface.

In an attempt to recover, the pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full throttle to accelerate. During this acceleration phase, the aircraft's left wing made contact with a bush. As the plane reached an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet, the pilot realized the aircraft could not gain enough height to safely clear the trees and power lines located at the edge of the airport.

To avoid the obstacles, the pilot closed the throttle and performed a controlled landing in a clear area situated to the left of the runway. The occupants were not injured during the event.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-01-21 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Spicewood, TX?

A pilot aborted a landing and performed an emergency touchdown in a clear area after encountering a deer on the runway and striking vegetation.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-01-21 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.

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.

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