Incident Overview
A Piper PA-28-161, operated during an instructional flight, was involved in a collision with a deer after landing at its home airport. The flight, conducted in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), had returned from a cross-country flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) executed an instrument approach uneventfully and landed on runway 16, which is 5,001 feet long and 100 feet wide, with an asphalt surface.
Sequence of Events
Approximately five seconds after touchdown, while the airplane was traveling at about 50 knots, the CFI observed four or five deer on the right side of the runway. Most of the deer scattered away from the runway, but one deer ran onto the runway and into the airplane. The CFI swerved in an attempt to avoid the impact but was unable to prevent the collision.
Damage and Conditions
The right wing of the Piper PA-28-161 sustained substantial damage during the impact. The airplane was occupied by the CFI, a student pilot, and a passenger. No injuries were reported.
Weather Information
Weather reported at the airport approximately 30 minutes after the accident included wind from 140 degrees at 5 knots, an overcast ceiling at 300 feet, and visibility of 7 miles.