The pilot reported that, during a night landing, he saw "a streak of motion" in his peripheral vision, followed by an impact to the empennage. He regained directional control and taxied clear of the runway.

In a postaccident examination, it was revealed that a deer struck the horizontal stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.