Accident Details
On August 25, 2008, at 2130 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR-20 (registration N1281) operated by Western Michigan University collided with a deer during takeoff from Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6) in Greenville, Michigan. The solo instructional flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from Battle Creek, Michigan, at 2100.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he flew to 6D6 with the intention of performing one night touch-and-go landing. Just as he was rotating for takeoff, he saw a deer running across the runway. He then heard a loud bang, and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain that he contacted a second deer but continued the takeoff because he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, he was able to observe damage to the left wing. He maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land at 6D6. The pilot noted that the airplane handled "very well" until short final, when the left wing dropped and the left main landing gear contacted the runway first. He maintained control, turned off onto a taxiway, and shut down the engine. The pilot reported that he did not see the second deer before it struck the airplane.
Aftermath
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The private pilot was not injured.