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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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September 20, 1986 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N4909F

Wisconsin Rapid, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wisconsin Rapid, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N4909F
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FEP09

ATC HAD CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT WITH SEVERAL NONPRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACHES AND TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON A SEGMENT OF AN APPROACH TO THAT AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT TIME WITNESSES LOCATED 4.5 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT, HEARD THE AIRCRAFT PASS CLOSE BY AND THE SOUNDS OF IMPACT FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION AND FIREBALL. IMC PREVAILED THRUOUT THE GENERAL AREA AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN.

Full Narrative

ATC HAD CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT WITH SEVERAL NONPRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACHES AND TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON A SEGMENT OF AN APPROACH TO THAT AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT TIME WITNESSES LOCATED 4.5 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT, HEARD THE AIRCRAFT PASS CLOSE BY AND THE SOUNDS OF IMPACT FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION AND FIREBALL. IMC PREVAILED THRUOUT THE GENERAL AREA AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 CDT
Nearest AirportAlexander Field (5nm NW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN4909F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data