Probable cause
Unintentional collision with a deer during landing in dusk visual conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that while on final approach he was unable to see the runway clearly due to the setting sun, during the landing roll he reported that the airplane's left wing struck a deer. Subsequently the airplane veered off the runway to the left. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA108 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 5, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Springhill, Louisiana
- Nearest airport
- Springhill (SPH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA 5B
- N-number
- N74304
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.