Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane's collision with a deer on the runway during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that after the airplane touched down he saw a deer on the runway. There was not enough room to perform an aborted landing so he applied full brakes. After impacting the deer with the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage, the airplane veered off the runway and down an embankment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that after the airplane touched down he saw a deer on the runway. There was not enough room to perform an aborted landing so he applied full brakes. After impacting the deer with the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage, the airplane veered off the runway and down an embankment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.