Probable cause
A collision with a deer during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot had performed four uneventful landings, and during approach for the fifth landing, the flight instructor reported he scanned the runway environment and did not see anything that would warrant discontinuing the landing. The pilot continued the approach and after touchdown during the landing roll the flight instructor saw two deer run out from the tree line next to the runway. The flight instructor decided to apply the brakes, and while traveling at a speed of about 20 knots, one of the deer impacted the left wing, substantially damaging it. After the collision the airplane was taxied to the ramp and secured.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA233 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 8, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Nearest airport
- Knoxville Downtown Island Airp (DKX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N4533X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- 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.