Probable cause
The collision with a deer during landing at an airport with known wildlife activity.
NTSB analysis
During the landing flare and touchdown, the aiplane struck a deer. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing leading edge, which was part of the integral fuel tank. The Airport Facility Directory remarks for the airport stated that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA501 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bolivar, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Bolivar Municipal Airport (M17)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper PA-32-260
- N-number
- N3815W
- 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.