The finite element analysis model of a 220kV cat-head transmission tower was established by using the general FEA software ANSYS. The axial forces of tower members under different load cases were analyzed by the static method and dynamic method respectively. Three typical load cases were taken into account, including the non-uniform settlement, inclination and horizontal slip of the tower foundation. The dynamic impact factors of the axial forces of tower members with a sudden foundation deformation were calculated. It is shown that the stress in the diagonal member located at the tower leg varies greatestly and fails earlistly in the process of foundation deformation. The peak values of tower member forces occur near the initial time of the foundation settlement, while the effect of damping ratios on the peak values is not significant. When the damping ratio is valued as 0.01 and 0.05, the difference between the peak axial forces of the leg main member different is only about 3.5%. For the transmission lines in the mining subsidence areas with dramatic surface deformations, the dynamic impact effect of sudden foundation deformations on transmission tower structures is significant. By considering the dynamic impact effect, the stress ratio of the diagonal member located at the tower leg under non-uniform settlement is increased by more than 50%. The increasing extents even exceed 100% in the single side inclination case and the horizontal slip case.