Incident Summary
A Piper PA-24-250 was involved in a runway excursion after the pilot attempted to avoid a deer during the landing roll. The aircraft touched down approximately 200 to 300 feet beyond the displaced threshold of a 2,200-foot-long, dry, upsloping grass runway. After touchdown, the pilot observed a deer standing slightly to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot chose not to attempt a go-around maneuver on the unidirectional runway, citing the upsloping condition and tall trees at the north end. Believing the deer was too close to allow the aircraft to stop in time, the pilot maneuvered to the left side of the runway while applying full brakes. During the landing roll, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway, encountered an embankment, and ground looped to a stop.
Aircraft and Runway Details
The aircraft was a Piper PA-24-250. The runway was a dry, upsloping grass surface measuring 2,200 feet in length and 50 feet in width, with an additional approximately 25 feet of surface outboard of each side. The pilot reported that the runway had a displaced threshold.
Other Information
The pilot chose not to execute a go-around due to the upsloping runway and tall trees at the north end. The deer was observed slightly right of the runway centerline. No information about injuries or damage to the aircraft was provided in the source.