Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a deer on the runway during a touch-and-go landing.
NTSB analysis
During the takeoff phase of a night touch-and-go landing, a deer ran out across the runway from right to left. The airplane collided with the deer and the pilot rejected the takeoff. The right wing and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA235 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 21, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Crete, Nebraska
- Nearest airport
- Crete Muni (CEK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA-28-180
- N-number
- N32426
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- 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.