# NTSB CHI80DEP50: Piper PA-32, N3954W, Dodgeville, WI, August 9, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 9, 1980
- Place: Dodgeville, WI · DODGEVILLE, WI
- Location: 42.9660° N, 90.1297° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dodgeville, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9660&lon=-90.1297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80DEP50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1970   80/8/9    DODGEVILLE,WI       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 54, 479
        TIME - 1330                    N3954W              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 103 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DODGEVILLE MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          DEKALB,IL                   EDEN PRAIRIE,MN              DODGEVILLE,WI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3954W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3954W-2025-07-14), registration cancelled 2025-07-14, S/N 32-903 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Dodgeville 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 19800809037539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800809037539A), Aug 9, 1980: Piper PA32260, Dodgeville, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot made hard landing causing substantial damage to aircraft.

## Other investigations on N3954W (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 MKC71DCD72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCD72), Apr 16, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N3954W), Kingsley, IA, substantial damage

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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