Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with two deer during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, two deer ran out onto the runway. The propeller struck one deer and the second deer was struck by the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The empennage was twisted and partially separated at the aft bulkhead and the right horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft and bent up. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane before the impact.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA031 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 24, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Carrollton, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Carroll County-Tolson Airport (KTSO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 150
- N-number
- N5978E
- 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.