Probable cause
Collision with a deer during the landing roll, which resulted in a compromised fuel tank and a postimpact fire.
NTSB analysis
About 5 seconds into the landing rollout, a deer appeared from the wood line and ran into the path of the airplane. The deer struck the airplane at the leading edge of the left wing above the left main landing gear, and ruptured an adjacent fuel cell. The pilot was able to maintain directional control, and the airplane was stopped on the runway, spilling fuel and on fire. The crew performed an emergency shutdown of the airplane and egressed without injury. The airplane was consumed by the postcrash fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA061 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 17, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greenwood, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Greenwood County (GRD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 550
- N-number
- N6763L
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1991
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
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.