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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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NTSB Report

June 11, 1986 · Piper J3 · N98739

Brodhead, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Brodhead, WI
Aircraft
Piper J3
Tail Number
N98739
Operator
F F Badertscher
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86LA149

THE PLT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A FRIEND'S HOUSE. HE WAS WAVING TO THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO A TREE TO AVOID HITTING IT. THE PLANE THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A FRIEND'S HOUSE. HE WAS WAVING TO THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO A TREE TO AVOID HITTING IT. THE PLANE THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 CDT
Nearest Airport4nm NNW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3
Tail NumberN98739
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorF F Badertscher
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8F · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data