Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a deer during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
During the transition to takeoff while performing a touch and go, the pilot and flight instructor noticed a deer that ran out from tall grass adjacent to the runway. With the airplane already airborne, the flight crew was unable to avoid the deer. The deer impacted the right wing’s leading edge and wing flap bracket. The flight crew elected to continue the takeoff and returned to the departure airport, which had a longer runway for the landing. The airplane landed without further incident.
Postaccident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA052 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 20, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Marshall, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Brooks Fld (RMY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cirrus Design Corp SR20
- N-number
- N22WU
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2006
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.