# NTSB CHI82DA278: Piper PA-23, N3092P, Ladysmith, WI, July 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1982, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Ladysmith, WI
- Coordinates: 45.45985, -91.090499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4599&lon=-91.0905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA278

## 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, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,tank - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

A FERRY PERMIT WAS ISSUED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUSK COUNTY AIRPORT FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN ON 8/20/80. DURING THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION, THE APPROACH WAS HIGH, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. WITH THE LEFT ENGINE INOPERATIVE, THE GEAR CANNOT BE RETRACTED WITH THE NORMAL SYSTEM. A DESCENT AND LANDING WAS MADE IN A ROUGH FIELD. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 300 FT, THE LEFT GEAR FAILED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE FUEL BLADDER WAS RUMPLED. THE BLADDER WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE INSIDE OF THE WING BY THE ATTACHMENT CLIPS. THE FUEL VENTS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE CLEAR. THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE FUEL TANKS WERE CHECKED AND APPEARED TO BE HALF FULL, WHICH CORRESPONDED TO THE GAUGES. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT ON DOWNWIND, THE LEFT TANK INDICATIN WAS OVER 1/4 FULL. PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT , THE PLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR OVER A YEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3092P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 231010
- Airframe hours: 3999
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne K. Carpenter
- Registered owner: Wayne K. Carpenter
- Departed: Y23, CHETEK, WI
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Airport: D28, Rusk Co. Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 24,580 total, 4,630 in this make and model, 24,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19820728035709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820728035709A), Jul 28, 1982: Piper PA23, Ladysmith, WI, Substantial damage. Too high, began go-around. Left engine quit. Crash landed in a rough pasture. Left fuel cell empty. Loose bladder.

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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