# NTSB CHI83FA086: Piper PA-32-300, N5818F, Monroe, WI, January 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1983, 04:25 local (10:25 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, WI
- Location: 42.6034° N, 89.6365° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Monroe, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6034&lon=-89.6365&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA086

## 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
  - fuel system,fuel control - fatigue (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 4,000 FT MSL THE ENG QUIT. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON ROLLING FARM TERRAIN BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. THE ACFT THEN SLID THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE & CAUGHT FIRE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE IDLE SET SCREW THAT CONTROLS THE DIAPHRAM SETTING IN THE BENDIX FUEL INJECTION (P/N 2424273-10). THE STEMOF THE SCREW FAILED AS A RESULT OF REVERSED BENDING STRESSES CAUSED BY SIDE TO SIDE FORCES. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED AS THE PRINCIPAL FORCE APPLIED TO THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW WOULD PRIMARILY BE IN A TWISTING MOTION RATHER THAN A SIDE TO SIDE APPLIED FORCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5818F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5818F-1991-08-12), registration cancelled 1991-08-12, S/N 327740006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-770006
- Airframe hours: 3002
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIG5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Aurora Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1983, 11 hours before
- Departed: ARR, AURORA, IL
- Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,225 total, 152 in this make and model, 2,105 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 34 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 19830119001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830119001279A), Jan 19, 1983: Piper PA32300, Monroe, WI, Destroyed. Engine quit on night cargo run. Crash landed in hilly farm land. Aircraft burned. Fuel control idle screw failed.

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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