Probable cause
A deer collided with aircraft during landing at night.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during a night landing, he saw "a streak of motion" in his peripheral vision, followed by an impact with the empennage. He regained directional control and taxied clear of the runway.
Postaccident examination revealed that a deer struck the horizontal stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA150 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 7, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kent, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Kent State Univ (1G3)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N103KS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- 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.