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April 15, 1983 · Piper PA24-260 · N9215P

Middleton, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Middleton, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA24-260
Tail Number
N9215P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FA166

DURING ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR-B APCH TO THE MOREY ARPT, AN UNCONTROLLED FACILITY AT AN ELEVATION OF 928 FT MSL. RWY 13/31 AT THE ARPT HAD LOW INTENSITY RWY LIGHTS WHICH COULD BE ACTIVATED BY KEYING THE RADIO ON 123.5 MHZ. THE CIRCLING MINIMUMS FOR THE APCH WERE 700 FT CEILING & 1 MI VISIBILITY. DURING THE APCH WITH THE RADIO ON 124.0 MHZ, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WX WAS 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 7 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH, THE CONTROLLER HEARD 3 CLICKS (ON 124.0 MHZ) & ADVISED THE PLT HE HAD LOST RADAR CONTACT. THE PLT RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT HE HAD GROUND COMTACT & WAS CANCELLING HIS IFR CLEARANCE, BUT THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWYLIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF APRX 1000 FT MSL, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1600 FT MSL.

Full Narrative

DURING ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR-B APCH TO THE MOREY ARPT, AN UNCONTROLLED FACILITY AT AN ELEVATION OF 928 FT MSL. RWY 13/31 AT THE ARPT HAD LOW INTENSITY RWY LIGHTS WHICH COULD BE ACTIVATED BY KEYING THE RADIO ON 123.5 MHZ. THE CIRCLING MINIMUMS FOR THE APCH WERE 700 FT CEILING & 1 MI VISIBILITY. DURING THE APCH WITH THE RADIO ON 124.0 MHZ, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WX WAS 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 7 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH, THE CONTROLLER HEARD 3 CLICKS (ON 124.0 MHZ) & ADVISED THE PLT HE HAD LOST RADAR CONTACT. THE PLT RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT HE HAD GROUND COMTACT & WAS CANCELLING HIS IFR CLEARANCE, BUT THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWYLIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF APRX 1000 FT MSL, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1600 FT MSL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:58 CST
Nearest AirportMOREY (3nm WSW)
Runway13
Runway Length2975 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA24-260
Tail NumberN9215P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data