# NTSB CHI04LA243: Boeing A75, N86600, Wisconsin Rapid, WI, August 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2004, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Wisconsin Rapid, WI - Coordinates: 44.663612, -89.84111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6636&lon=-89.8411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 60035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight decision when he decided to fly at a low altitude over the river and failed to maintain clearance from the power lines. A factor was the wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it hit a wire over a river and subsequently impacted the water. The private pilot reported that he had given three people free rides prior to the accident flight. He reported that the passenger on the accident flight had requested an aerobatic flight. Both were wearing parachutes. He departed the airport to the west, climbed to 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), and flew aerobatic maneuvers. He reported that he flew to the south, and then he proceeded to fly north over the river back to the airport. He reported that he was flying approximately 40-50 feet above the river when the airplane struck the power lines just as he was about to initiate a climb. The main landing gear struck the power lines and the airplane landed inverted in the river in about 3-4 feet of water. The pilot reported that he had flown over the river going south from the airport "many times." He reported that he was not where he thought he was when the accident occurred. He reported that he thought he was 4 miles south of his location. He reported that the airplane did not have a mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2004, approximately 0945 central daylight time, a Boeing A75, N86600, sustained substantial damage when it hit a wire over the Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and subsequently impacted the water. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger received fatal injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed from the Alexander Field South Wood County Airport (ISW), Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, about 0930 and was giving rides to people who were at the airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had given three people free rides prior to the accident flight. He reported that the passenger on the accident flight had requested an aerobatic flight. He reported that they both were wearing parachutes so he departed ISW to the west. He climbed to 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), and flew aerobatic maneuvers, which included 1 Cuban eight, 1 loop, and 2 hammerhead stalls. He reported that he proceeded to the south, and then he proceeded to fly north over the Wisconsin River back to ISW. He reported that he was flying approximately 40-50 feet above the river. He reported, "Just as I was to initiate a climb I struck power lines crossing the river. I noticed the power lines not more that 1/2 second before impact." The main landing gear struck the power lines and the airplane landed inverted in the river in about 3-4 feet of water. The pilot reported that he had flown the river going south from ISW "many times." He reported that he was not where he thought he was when the accident occurred. He reported that he thought he was 4 miles south of his location. He reported that the airplane did not have a mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86600](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86600), registered now, S/N 75-899 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing A75 - Registry model: [Boeing A75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75) (registry code 1380108) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-899 - Airframe hours: 6692 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark A. Strub - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: ISW, Wisconsin Rapid, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review September 30, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 330 total, 140 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ISW, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040828028069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040828028069A), Aug 28, 2004: Boeing A75, Port Edwards, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot was giving a sight seeing ride flying north over the Wisconsin river at a maximum altitude of 50 feet. Pilot stated that he didn't see the power… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.