Probable cause
A collision with a deer during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, during the takeoff roll, shortly after the student pilot rotated and lifted off the runway, there was a loud and noticeable impact to the right side of the airplane. The airplane pulled to the right and they elected to land straight ahead. As soon as the airplane touched back down the right wing struck the runway and the airplane skidded to a stop. Neither the flight instructor nor his student observed the deer that the airplane had collided with before the impact. Following the accident, the flight instructor noted that the right main landing gear had separated from the airplane and the deer that the airplane had impacted was near the runway centerline. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed that the airplane’s elevator was substantially damaged during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA371 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 15, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Talladega, Alabama
- Nearest airport
- Talladega Muni (ASN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA-28-140
- N-number
- N1486T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- 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.