NTSB Factual Report

On March 7, 2001, about 1930 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182M, N71354, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll on runway 30, at Enterprise Municipal Airport (8S4), Enterprise, Oregon. The airplane is owned by Chief Joseph Flying, Inc., and was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) night flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Enterprise approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB on March 12, 2001, the pilot reported that he was practicing stop-and-go landings at night. He stated that on the second landing, during the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a deer that ran onto the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadvertent collision with a deer while landing. A contributing factor was night conditions.