PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 2580; Flight Crew Type 550
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport
Aircraft struck wildlife on landing on Runway 05 at LWA. Conducted a go around; and gear was cycled. Nose gear indicator bulb did not turn green. Yellow gear in transition light observed. Gained altitude and initiated emergency gear extension checklist. No change to nose gear position light observed. Diverted to ZZZ; Tower checked if gear was down and locked. Conducted 2 low passes. Gear appeared to be down and nose tire intact according to ZZZ tower. However Tower could not confirm if gear was locked in down position. Diverted to ZZZ1. Did two low passes and was observed from ground; gear appeared down but not locked. Conducted a landing with nose gear in unlocked position. On landing; prop and gear door were damaged. Deer hair was found embedded between tire and rim on nose wheel. Deer antler and blood trail were found on Runway 05 at LWA. Problem was caused by wildlife strike at LWA. Believe this could be prevented in the future by proper wildlife fencing and control. No deer was observed by either instructor or student on landing flare at LWA so believe deer ran across runway just as we were touching down.
PA28R flight instructor reported a deer strike during landing that resulted in damage to the aircraft.