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NTSB Report
July 27, 1989 · Piper PA-38-112 · N25687
River Falls, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
River Falls, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N25687
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89LA147
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT ALL SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP TURNING DESCENT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PIC HAD IN HIS POSSESSION A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN 1948. A REVIEW OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK SHOWED A TOTAL OF 39.7 FLIGHT HOURS OF AVIATION EXPERIENCE OVER 40 YEARS. APPROXIMATELY 22 OF THOSE FLIGHT HOURS WERE OBTAINED WHEN HE RESUMED FLYING AFTER A 39 YEAR HIATUS. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRPLANE.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AVIATION EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT ALL SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP TURNING DESCENT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PIC HAD IN HIS POSSESSION A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN 1948. A REVIEW OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK SHOWED A TOTAL OF 39.7 FLIGHT HOURS OF AVIATION EXPERIENCE OVER 40 YEARS. APPROXIMATELY 22 OF THOSE FLIGHT HOURS WERE OBTAINED WHEN HE RESUMED FLYING AFTER A 39 YEAR HIATUS. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:06 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN25687
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC