PIPER PA 28-140
Saluda, SC — February 21, 2014
Event Information
| Date | February 21, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA14CA172 |
| Event ID | 20140326X92114 |
| Location | Saluda, SC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.92667, -81.79472 |
| Airport | Saluda County |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA 28-140 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
An inadvertent encounter with a deer during the takeoff roll.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot had completed the first leg of a night cross country flight and were departing back to their home airport. During the takeoff roll, a deer ran onto the runway, colliding with the airplane's right wing. The CFI assumed control of the airplane from the student and continued the takeoff, as inadequate runway distance remained to abort. Once airborne, the CFI did not note any flight control abnormalities, and elected to continue to the destination, where he landed the airplane without incident. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.