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NTSB Report
August 19, 1990 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N4070Q
Watertown, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1990
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Location
Watertown, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N4070Q
Operator
Wisconsin Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90FA236
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN APPROX 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. A POLICE OFFICER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TAXI TO THE RUNWAY; HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE TAKE OFF. HE DESCRIBED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME AS HEAVY RAIN WITH LIGHTNING AND THUNDER, AND HIGH WINDS. A PASSENGER IN AN AUTOMOBILE ON A HIGHWAY 1500 FT WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED WHAT SHE THOUGHT TO BE A 'SHOOTING STAR'. SHE STATED THEY WERE DRIVING SLOWER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE PILOT STATED TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAD TO FLY AND DO THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BEFORE MIDNIGHT OR HE WOULD LOSE HIS LICENSE. HIS LAST FLIGHT WAS 92 DAYS (EXACTLY 3 CALENDAR MONTHS) BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INITIATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGIAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN CURRENCY.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN APPROX 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. A POLICE OFFICER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TAXI TO THE RUNWAY; HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE TAKE OFF. HE DESCRIBED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME AS HEAVY RAIN WITH LIGHTNING AND THUNDER, AND HIGH WINDS. A PASSENGER IN AN AUTOMOBILE ON A HIGHWAY 1500 FT WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED WHAT SHE THOUGHT TO BE A 'SHOOTING STAR'. SHE STATED THEY WERE DRIVING SLOWER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE PILOT STATED TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAD TO FLY AND DO THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BEFORE MIDNIGHT OR HE WOULD LOSE HIS LICENSE. HIS LAST FLIGHT WAS 92 DAYS (EXACTLY 3 CALENDAR MONTHS) BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWatertown Muni (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length3965 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN4070Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWisconsin Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Fatal7
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT