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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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October 20, 1984 · Piper PA-32-300 · N2898D

Bruce, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Bruce, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N2898D
Operator
Dianne Droessler
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85FA020

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED AREA DURING A X-COUNTRY PERSONAL FLIGHT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT CIRCLE THE LIGHTED FOOTBALL FIELD AT ATLANTA, WI, AT AN ALTITUDE LOW ENOUGH THAT THEY FEARED THE ACFT WOULD HIT TREES IN THE VICINITY. AT THIS TIME THE WX CONDITIONS AT ATLANTA WERE: LOW OVERCAST, RAINY, GUSTY WINDS. WITNESSES WATCHED THE ACFT DEPART THE AREA TOWARD HIGHER GROUND AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL PRE- IMPACT FAILURE OF THE ACFT AND AUTOPSY AND TOXICOLOGY TEST DID NOT REVEAL ANY MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OR EVIDENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED AREA DURING A X-COUNTRY PERSONAL FLIGHT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT CIRCLE THE LIGHTED FOOTBALL FIELD AT ATLANTA, WI, AT AN ALTITUDE LOW ENOUGH THAT THEY FEARED THE ACFT WOULD HIT TREES IN THE VICINITY. AT THIS TIME THE WX CONDITIONS AT ATLANTA WERE: LOW OVERCAST, RAINY, GUSTY WINDS. WITNESSES WATCHED THE ACFT DEPART THE AREA TOWARD HIGHER GROUND AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL PRE- IMPACT FAILURE OF THE ACFT AND AUTOPSY AND TOXICOLOGY TEST DID NOT REVEAL ANY MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OR EVIDENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN2898D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDianne Droessler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:49
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data