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NTSB Report
July 3, 1992 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9735J
Belmont, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Belmont, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9735J
Operator
Timber City Flyers
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI92LA194
THE PILOT DEPARTED AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REALIZED WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE 'FAR POORER' THAN EXPECTED AND THE FOG WAS HAMPERING HIS VISION. HE CHOSE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, AND WAS IN A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES. THE PILOT STATED DUE TO THE POOR WEATHER HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM NAVIGATION. THE AIRPLANE HAD WANDERED SEVERAL MILES OFF COURSE, INTO AN AREA OF HIGHER TERRAIN. A POST-IMPACT GROUND FIRE ENSUED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR PLANNING/DECISION MAKING. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE LOW CEILINGS AND FOG, THE DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT'S INACCURATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE HIGHER TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DEPARTED AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REALIZED WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE 'FAR POORER' THAN EXPECTED AND THE FOG WAS HAMPERING HIS VISION. HE CHOSE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, AND WAS IN A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES. THE PILOT STATED DUE TO THE POOR WEATHER HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM NAVIGATION. THE AIRPLANE HAD WANDERED SEVERAL MILES OFF COURSE, INTO AN AREA OF HIGHER TERRAIN. A POST-IMPACT GROUND FIRE ENSUED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9735J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTimber City Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured2
Total5
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:18
Weather SourceWFAC