# NTSB CHI79DEP11: Piper PA-28, N55845, Park Falls, WI, December 1, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 1, 1978
- Place: Park Falls, WI · PARK FALLS, WI
- Location: 45.9364° N, 90.4440° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Park Falls, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9364&lon=-90.4440&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79DEP11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEP11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3797   78/12/1   PARK FALLS,WI       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 17, 138
        TIME - 1915                    N55845              PX-  0  0  4  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 24 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PARK FALLS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATERTOWN,WI                IRONWOOD,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           COLLIDED WITH: SNOWBANK                                  LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW ON RUNWAY
        REMARKS- SNOW PACKED IN WHEEL FAIRING,JAMMED WHEEL AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55845 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Park Falls Muni

## 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 19781201038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781201038699A), Dec 1, 1978: Piper PA28180, Park Falls, WI, Substantial damage. Snow packed in wheel fairing,jammed wheel and directional control lost.

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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