# NTSB CHI78FEP13: Piper PA-32, N7726J, Watertown, WI, January 28, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 28, 1978
- Place: Watertown, WI · WATERTOWN, WI
- Location: 43.1894° N, 88.7289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watertown, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1894&lon=-88.7289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 22, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FEP13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEP13-143737

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0167  78/1/28  NR.WATERTOWN,WI       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1500                    N7726J              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  37, 11160 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            150 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATERTOWN,WI                MILWAUKEE,WI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FROZEN, MOISTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FUEL SELECTOR VALVE FLOW RESTRICTED BY ICE.MAIN FUEL TANK SUMPS FROZEN IN CLOSED POSITION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7726J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7726J-1983-03-29), registration cancelled 1983-03-29, S/N 32-1128 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- 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 19780128002289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780128002289A), Jan 28, 1978: Piper PA32RT300, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. Fuel selector valve flow restricted by ice. Main fuel tank sumps fn in closed position.

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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