Probable cause
An inadvertent encounter with a deer during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot had completed the first leg of a night cross country flight and were departing back to their home airport. During the takeoff roll, a deer ran onto the runway, colliding with the airplane's right wing. The CFI assumed control of the airplane from the student and continued the takeoff, as inadequate runway distance remained to abort. Once airborne, the CFI did not note any flight control abnormalities, and elected to continue to the destination, where he landed the airplane without incident. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA172 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 21, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Saluda, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Saluda County (6J4)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA 28-140
- N-number
- N6469W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- 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.