Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a deer during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the airplane reported that, during the landing roll, two deer ran onto the runway and that one impacted the airplane's left side.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement airport page for the destination airport, in part, stated: "Deer and birds on and [in the vicinity of the runway]."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA438 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 19, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Market, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- New Market (8W2)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N55EM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- 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.