# NTSB CHI74DEP37: Piper PA-28, N15255, Lacrosse, WI, March 23, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 23, 1974
- Place: Lacrosse, WI · LACROSSE, WI
- Location: 43.8251° N, 91.2246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Crosse, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8251&lon=-91.2246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74DEP37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEP37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1519  74/3/23  NR.LACROSSE,WIS       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 24, 70 TOTAL
        TIME - 1745                    N15255              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 5 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LONE ROCK,WIS              LACROSSE,WIS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  2000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     SNOW SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          HAZE                                                      14
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          320                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- CLBD TO 6800FT IN CLDS.DRG LVL OFF ACFT ENTRD HI SPEED DIVE.CAME OUT AT 1700FT.BENT L WING SPAR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15255 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19740323011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740323011219A), Mar 23, 1974: Piper PA28180, Lacrosse, WI, Substantial damage. Clbd to 6800FT in clds. Drg lvl off acft entrd hi speed dive. Came out at 1700FT.bent l wing spar.

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.

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