Piper PA-24-250 Excursion During Landing Due to Wildlife Avoidance

Casualties unknown • Fragaria, WA, US

A pilot attempting to avoid a deer on a grass runway caused a Piper PA-24-250 to depart the left side of the runway and ground loop.

What happened

A Piper PA-24-250 landed on a 2,200-foot long, dry, upsloping grass runway, touching down approximately 200 to 300 feet beyond the displaced threshold. Following touchdown, the pilot observed a deer standing just to the right of the runway centerline. Due to the unidirectional nature of the runway, the presence of tall trees at the north end, and the upsloping terrain, the pilot determined that a go-around maneuver was not feasible.

Believing the aircraft could not stop in time to avoid the animal, the pilot attempted to maneuver toward the left side of the runway. While applying full braking, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway, struck an embankment, and entered a ground loop before coming to a stop. The runway was reported to be 50 feet wide, with an additional 25 feet of surface area available on each side.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to maneuver the aircraft to the left side of the runway to avoid a deer resulted in the aircraft departing the runway surface and encountering an embankment.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-07-07 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Fragaria, WA?

A pilot attempting to avoid a deer on a grass runway caused a Piper PA-24-250 to depart the left side of the runway and ground loop.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-07-07 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N7994P, operated by Love, Stephen W., at Fragaria, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to maneuver the aircraft to the left side of the runway to avoid a deer resulted in the aircraft departing the runway surface and encountering an embankment.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010714X01430. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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