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NTSB Report

January 16, 1995 · Piper PA-28-181 · N39955

Brookfield, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Brookfield, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N39955
Operator
Eagle Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI95LA068

AFTER RETURNING FROM THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT PROCEEDED TO PERFORM THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ACCEPTED THE PRIVATE PILOT'S INVITATION TO DO THE FOURTH APPROACH AND LANDING BY TAKING FULL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED ALL APPEARED NORMAL INCLUDING CENTERLINE TRACKING DURING THE FINAL APPROACH. WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS ON SHORT FINAL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL POWER. THE LEFT WING THEN STRUCK A SECOND TREE AND WAS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED POSITION. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL OR OTHER ANOMALIES WERE REPORTED BY EITHER THE INSTRUCTOR OR THE PRIVATE PILOT.

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor's failure to maintain clearance with trees. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the night lighting conditions.

Full Narrative

On January 15, 1995, at 1834 central standard time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N39955, registered to Thunderbird Trans LTD, was destroyed when it stuck trees while on final approach to land at Capitol Airport, Brookfield, Wisconsin. The flight instructor, private pilot, and one passenger reported serious injuries. The local night 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight originated at 1745 and operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. After returning from the local practice area on the instructional flight, the private pilot proceeded to perform three takeoffs and landings at Capitol Airport. The flight instructor accepted the private pilot's invitation to do the fourth approach and landing by taking full control of the airplane. The instructor stated all appeared normal including centerline tracking during the final approach. While the airplane was on short final, the left wing struck a tree and the instructor immediately applied full power. The left wing impacted a second tree and was separated from the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground in an inverted position. No preimpact mechanical or other anomalies were reported by either the instructor or the private pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:34 CST
Nearest AirportCapitol Airport (1nm ENE)
Runway30
Runway Length330 ft
Runway Width44 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN39955
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEagle Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data