Piper PA-28-140 accident near Jackson, Michigan, September 23, 2004
On September 23, 2004 at about 1:45 am local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N98222, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackson, Michigan (Jackson County-Reynolds Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Collision with a deer when it crossed the airplane's path during landing rollout. Factors were low lighting (night) conditions and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2004 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Jackson, Michigan · Jackson County-Reynolds Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N98222 · registry record · serial 28-26117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged during a collision with a deer on landing rollout. The pilot reported that he landed normally and had been rolling out for a "few seconds" when he saw a deer in "close proximity" to the aircraft. This animal did not pose a collision hazard. However, shortly afterward, the aircraft's right wing struck a second deer. He stated that he did not see the second animal prior to impact. He noted that the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and came to rest in the grass about 40 feet from the edge of the pavement. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 212 hours in all; 211 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 168 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 23, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FPK Charlotte MI at 1:30 am
- Destination: JXN Jackson MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.