Probable cause
A collision with a deer on the runway during the takeoff roll at night.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, during the takeoff roll at night with the student pilot on the controls, the airplane's left wing struck a deer on the runway. They maneuvered the airplane off the runway without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory, Airport Remarks, for the accident airport stated, in part, that there is wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA402 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 28, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rolla, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Rolla National (VIH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N7104F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- 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.