Aero Commander 695 accident near Mount Holly, New Jersey, May 11, 2019
On May 11, 2019 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1981 Aero Commander 695, registered N51DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mount Holly, New Jersey (South Jersey Rgnl airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s impact with a deer on the runway during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2019 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Holly, New Jersey · South Jersey Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 695 A, built 1981
- Registration
- N51DM · registry record · serial 96014
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, just as the airplane became airborne, a deer struck the right side of the fuselage. The pilot determined that there would not be sufficient runway remaining to land, so he quickly performed a "controllability test," which indicated that pitch control was abnormal. He determined that he was able to control the airplane enough to enter the traffic pattern and attempt a landing. The airplane landed hard, and the pilot then initiated reverse thrust and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The pilot reported that he never saw the deer, but seconds before impact, the copilot saw the deer on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory page for the airport stated, in part, the following: "Deer on and [in vicinity of airport]."
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
What happened, in order
- Wildlife encounter (non-bird) during takeoff defining event
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,944 hours in all; 111 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 2,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 6, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,356 hours in all; 3,137 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2004
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,599 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 18, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 11,200 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett Airesearch TPE33110501K (turboprop); 2,599 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett Airesearch TPE33110501K (turboprop); 2,599 hours total
- Operator: Jersey Ordnance Inc
The flight
- Departed from: VAY Mount Holy NJ at 2:00 pm
- Destination: ASH Nashua NH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 08, 3,881 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from KVAY, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 28, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Co-pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.