Primary finding
Probable cause
A collision with a deer during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot had performed four uneventful landings, and during approach for the fifth landing, the flight instructor reported he scanned the runway environment and did not see anything that would warrant discontinuing the landing. The pilot continued the approach and after touchdown during the landing roll the flight instructor saw two deer run out from the tree line next to the runway. The flight instructor decided to apply the brakes, and while traveling at a speed of about 20 knots, one of the deer impacted the left wing, substantially damaging it. After the collision the airplane was taxied to the ramp and secured.