# NTSB CHI82DA230: Piper PA-28-161, N40037, Ladysmith, WI, July 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1982, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Ladysmith, WI
- Coordinates: 45.460849, -91.089897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4608&lon=-91.0899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA230

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,push rod - bent (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND ROUGH TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE STUDENT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER ABOUT 35 MINUTES OF FLIGHT. HE REDUCED POWER WHICH HELPED BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL NOISY. THE STUDENT SELECTED A MOWED FIELD FOR LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT WENT THROUGH A FENCE INTO ROCKY TERRAIN. ONE PUSH ROD IN THE ENGINE WAS FOUND BOWED ABOUT 2 INCHES AND THERE WAS SIGNS OF OIL SPILLAGE. NO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. SIX QUARTS OF OIL REMAINED IN THE SUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40037](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40037), registered now, S/N 28-7816003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287816003
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dave A. Johnson
- Registered owner: Alcurt, Inc. And Curtis R. Fis
- Departed: D25, MANITOWISH WATE, WI
- Destination: MANKATO, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 55 total, 55 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 30 nm away

## 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 19820701025789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820701025789A), Jul 1, 1982: Piper PA28161, Ladysmith, WI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Student overshot hay field on forced landing. Hit a fence and rocks. Bent push rod and valve.

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.