Probable cause
The airplane’s impact with a deer while performing a takeoff at night.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and student pilot completed several night landings without anomaly. Then, during the next takeoff, the student pilot applied engine power and the airplane accelerated down the runway. Just after reaching 50 knots, they noticed two deer standing in the center of the runway and called to abort the takeoff. They reduced the engine power and applied the brakes, but they were unable to stop before striking one of the deer with the left wing, which resulted in substantial damaged to the wing. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA368 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 15, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Culpeper, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Culpeper Rgnl (CJR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N1809H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.