Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment and clearance from a fence post during landing. Factors relating to the accident were: an animal (deer) on the approach end of the runway, an encounter with a downdraft, and a fence post near the edge of the airstrip.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he was on short final when a deer darted from the woods onto the approach end of the runway. He pulled up to miss the deer, and then continued his attempt to land on the 2100 foot grass strip. After passing over the deer, the aircraft drifted to the side of the dog-legged runway, encountered a downdraft, and collided with a fence post near the left edge of the airstrip. After hitting the post, the aircraft veered to the left and flipped over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 18, 1996, approximately 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3270Y, collided with a fence post while landing at the Pope/Devleig private airstrip near Grangeville, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Nampa, Idaho about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot was on a VFR flight plan, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was later turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, he was on short final when a deer darted from the woods onto the approach end of the runway. He pulled up to miss the deer, and then continued his attempt to land on the 2100 foot grass strip. After passing over the deer, the aircraft drifted to the side of the dog-legged runway, encountered a downdraft, collided with a fence post, and twisted sideways. The aircraft touched down while still about 15 to 20 degrees off the runway heading, veered to the left, and flipped over near the edge of the strip. -