Probable cause
The airplane's collision with a deer during the landing flare and touchdown.
NTSB analysis
During the landing flare and touchdown, two deer ran onto the runway. The airplane struck one deer separating the nose landing gear. The nose of the airplane settled to the runway and the airplane skid for an additional 500 feet before coming to a stop. An examination of the airframe revealed that the firewall was wrinkled. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact with the deer.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA378 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 6, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wagoner, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Hefner-Easley Airport (LH68)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper PA-32-260
- N-number
- N3534W
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.