Probable cause
The airplane struck a deer on the runway while performing touch-and-go landings. Contributing to the accident was the dusk light condition.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go landings on runway 01. Following the third landing, right at liftoff on departure (70 to 75 mph), the right wing struck a deer. The airplane veered right, and the pilot was unable to regain control. The airplane impacted the airport's perimeter fence. Both wings were damaged, the empennage was nearly separated from the fuselage, and the empennage was broken at two locations. The sun had set approximately 40 minutes before the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA186 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 17, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sandpoint, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Sandpoint Airport (SZT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Alon A2
- N-number
- N1018S
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.