Piper PA23
Atlanta, GA — May 18, 2019
Event Information
| Date | May 18, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA310 |
| Event ID | 20190604X93251 |
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.35778, -84.57250 |
| Airport | ATLANTA RGNL FALCON FIELD |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA23 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The airplane’s impact with a deer on the runway during landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, as the main landing gear touched down, he saw three deer run across the runway from the right to the left and "directly under the plane." He added power and increased pitch for a go around but was not able to clear the animals. He heard and felt an impact under the airplane. He looked at the left engine mirror and observed the nose landing gear "dangling". He decided to abort the go around, so he reduced power and landed back on the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory page for the accident airport, in part, stated:
"Deer on and [in vicinity of] airport."
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.