# NTSB CHI82DA238: Piper PA-28-200R, N56339, Black River Fal, WI, July 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1982, 10:53 local (15:53 UTC)
- Place: Black River Fal, WI
- Location: 44.3003° N, 90.8369° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Black River Falls, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3003&lon=-90.8369&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA238

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING FLIGHT, HE ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND STARTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN BETTER, SO HE CONTINUED TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER LANDING, HE DISCOVERED THAT A PORTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER (ABOUT 18 INCHES) AND A CORRESPONDING PART OF THE RUDDER WERE MISSING. DURING AN INTERVIEW, THE PILOT DENIED BEING AWARE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD STRUCK ANY OBSTRUCTIONS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLYING AT TREETOP LEVEL ABOVE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 94 FOR AN OBSERVED DISTANCE OF 15 TO 17 MILES. ALSO, THE MISSING PIECES OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WERE FOUND ADJACENT TO THE HIGHWAY. ADDITIONALLY, DAMAGE WAS FOUND ON TWO OF THREE POWER LINES THAT WERE NEARBY AND ABOUT 90 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56339](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56339), registered now, S/N 28R7335414, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-200R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1c) (registry code 41832, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335414
- Airframe hours: 1350
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anton Stiglmeier
- Registered owner: Anton Stiglmeier
- Departed: WHEELING, IL
- Destination: HAYWARD, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820704031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820704031539A), Jul 4, 1982: Piper PA28R200, Black River Fal, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit high tension line shearing off about 18 inches of vertical stabilizer.

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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