Probable cause
The airplane struck a deer during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the perimeter fence being less than FAA's recommended 10 feet high.
NTSB analysis
The airplane struck a deer as it was rotated for liftoff. There is a fence surrounding the airport, but it does not meet FAA's recommendation of being at least 10 feet high.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA495 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 18, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kankakee, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Greater Kankakee (KIKK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N5148A
- 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.