Cessna T210M accident near Essex, Montana, July 5, 2003
On July 5, 2003 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N761QN, was substantially damaged in an accident near Essex, Montana (Schafer (Usfs) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The unexpected transit of a deer across the runway which impacted the aircraft during the pilot's aborted landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 2003 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Essex, Montana · Schafer (Usfs) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N761QN · no longer on the register · serial 21062435
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Cessna T210M arrived overhead the 3,200-foot long turf USFS mountain airstrip and conducted an overflight verifying that the runway was clear of objects and wildlife. He then commenced an approach which he reported was "a little long but manageable." After touchdown, and while rolling at 45 knots, the pilot observed a deer enter the runway environment from the right. As he was concerned that the deer would cross in front of the aircraft before the aircraft's speed could be adequately reduced, he applied full power and aborted the landing. The pilot and three passengers felt a "thump" and the pilot continued the climb out leaving the gear extended diverting to Missoula, Montana. The most recent Airport Master Record (FAA Form 5010-1) contained an advisory in the remarks section regarding wildlife on the runway.
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: 230 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 160 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520L serie (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 23S Seeley Lake MT at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 8U2 Schafer Usfs MT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from FCA, 270 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.