NTSB Factual Report

On August 22, 2004, at 2000 central daylight time, a Beech BE-58 twin-engine airplane, N8140R, was destroyed after colliding with terrain during landing roll-out at the Groveton-Trinity County Airport (33R), near Groveton, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Dry Creek Airport (TS07), near Houston, Texas, at 1830, and was destined for Groveton.

The 4,940-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that as he approached 33R from the southwest and entered the traffic pattern for runway 16 (3,500-foot long and 60-foot wide asphalt runway), he did not observe any obstructions on the runway.

The pilot then proceeded to fly a left downwind, base and final approach for runway 16, and crossed over the threshold at an airspeed of approximately 100 knots. The pilot reported that as the airplane touched down, he spotted three deer on the left side of the runway approximately 200 yards in front of him, and applied "light right rudder to avoid contact." The deer continued to cross the runway from left to right, directly in front of the airplane's roll-out path. The pilot applied "heavy left rudder and brake, and light right brake to slow and pull the aircraft to the left." Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and impacted trees in a small ravine about 60-feet from the edge of the runway. The pilot also stated that the 3-foot tall grass located on both sides of the runway offered an ideal hiding place for the deer.

The pilot added that after he exited the airplane he walked approximately 1/4-mile to the main ramp for assistance. Upon returning to the airplane, he observed a small fire that gradually intensified and consumed the airplane. Shortly after, the local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire.

A review of published airport information revealed the remark that deer were on and in the vicinity of the un-fenced airport.

At 1953, the automated surface observing station (ASOS) at Lufkin Airport (LFK), near Lufkin, Texas, located 23 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind from 150 degrees at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 6,000 feet above ground level.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's intentional ground loop to avoid colliding with deer that entered the runway during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the tall grass adjacent to the runway that prevented detection of the deer.