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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 20, 1994 · Piper PA-18-135 · N9843Q

Butte Des Mort, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Butte Des Mort, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N9843Q
Operator
Pro-Aire Training
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA237

THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE WAS HAVING THE STUDENT PRACTICE POWER OFF APPROACHES WHEN HE SIMULATED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE STUDENT DID NOT PITCH THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DOWN TO ATTAIN THE PROPER GLIDE SPEED ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR. THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE STUDENT TO PITCH THE NOSE DOWN TWICE BEFORE TAKING CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. AS HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE WATER AS THE POWER WAS BEING APPLIED. THE AIRCRAFT TURNED ABOUT 180 DEGREES BUT REMAINED UPRIGHT ON THE FLOATS WITH DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING.

NTSB Probable Cause

A DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS A PROPER AIRSPEED NOT BEING ATTAINED BY THE DUAL STUDENT.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 1994, at 1635 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-18-135, N9843Q, registered to Victor Ahlquist of Appleton, Wisconsin, was substantially damaged during a simulated emergency landing on Lake Butte des Mort, Butte des Mort, Wisconsin. The instructional flight had a seaplane flight instructor and student on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The instructor pilot and student reported no injuries. The flight departed Butte des Mort, Wisconsin, at 1550 cdt. According to the instructor's written statement, he simulated a loss of power during a gliding approach to landing. He said the simulation began at 250 feet above the water. The student did not, according to the instructor, obtain a safe gliding speed after the loss of power simulation. The instructor said he told the student to lower the airplane's pitch attitude twice before he took control of the airplane. He stated the airplane was low and slow when he took control. The instructor said he applied full power after taking control. The airplane's left wing collided with the water shortly after the instructor took control. He said the airplane turned about 180 degrees after the wing struck the water.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN9843Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPro-Aire Training
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data