# NTSB CHI76AC085: Piper PA-18, N3697Z, Tomahawk, WI, August 9, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 9, 1976
- Place: Tomahawk, WI · TOMAHAWK, WI
- Location: 45.4790° N, 89.7118° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tomahawk, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4790&lon=-89.7118&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76AC085
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76AC085

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2909   76/8/9    TOMAHAWK,WI         PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 2250
        TIME - 1755                    N3697Z              PX-  1  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TOMAHAWK,WI                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        REMARKS- PLT CONSUMED AT LEAST 6 ALCOHOLIC DRINKS BFOR TKPOF. TWO ADULTS OCCUPIED SINGLE REAR SEAT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3697Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3697Z), registered now, S/N 18-7433, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760809034899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760809034899A), Aug 9, 1976: Piper PA18150, Tomahawk, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plt consumed at least 6 alcoholic drinks bfor tkpof. Two adults occupied single rear seat.

## Other investigations on N3697Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC67A0092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0092), Dec 11, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N3697Z), North Canaan, CT, destroyed, 2 fatal

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.
