Cirrus SR20 N1281

Summary

On 26 August 2008 at about 01:30 local time, a Cirrus SR20 registered N1281, operated by Western Michigan University, was involved in an accident near Greenville, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2008 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Greenville, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

43.1386, -85.2522

Aircraft

Cirrus SR20

Registration

N1281

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Western Michigan University

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Battle Creek → Greenville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI08CA263

Nobody was injured.

The deer that ran onto the runway contacting the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the dark night conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he was planning on making one night touch and go landing. He stated that just as he was rotating on takeoff, he saw a deer run across the runway. In addition, he heard a loud bang and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain he contacted a second deer, but he continued the takeoff as he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, the pilot was able to see the damage on the left wing. He stated he maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land. The pilot stated the airplane handled "very well" until short final when the left wing dropped and the left main contacted the runway first. He maintained control of the airplane and turned off on a taxiway where he shut down the airplane. The pilot reported he did not see the second deer before it contacted the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.