Incident Overview
According to the pilot, after completing a night visual flight rules cross-country flight, he overflew the destination airport at 1,500 feet above ground level and set up a normal approach. Just prior to touchdown, a deer entered the runway from the right and collided with the left main landing gear.
Sequence of Events
The impact caused the left main landing gear to separate from the airplane. As the airplane settled, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane veered left. It then exited the left side of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert.
Damage Assessment
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and the left main landing gear attachment points.
Airport Information
The airport facility directory does not contain a note cautioning that deer are in the vicinity of the airport.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.