What happened
During the final phase of flight, specifically while executing the landing flare, the student pilot reported feeling a distinct impact on the right side of the empennage. Upon looking back to assess the situation, the pilot observed that the airplane had collided with a deer. This collision resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Despite the structural damage, the pilot was able to taxi the aircraft uneventfully to the ramp area without further incident.
The investigation
The physical inspection of the aircraft confirmed the narrative provided by the student pilot. The examination revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer, consistent with a high-energy impact at low altitude during the landing sequence. No other structural anomalies were noted that would have contributed to the event prior to the wildlife strike.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the collision with wildlife during a critical phase of flight. The student pilot successfully managed the aircraft after the impact, demonstrating adequate control inputs to taxi safely to the ramp. The damage sustained was localized to the empennage section, specifically affecting the horizontal stabilizer assembly.