Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a deer on the runway during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while landing at night, just before the flare, he saw a deer on the runway. He pulled back on the yoke and added power to clear the deer but then heard and felt the impact with the deer. The airplane sustained damage to the left-wing lateral rib and left landing gear. Assessment of the damage by the manufacturer concluded that the wing was not repairable and was no longer airworthy.