# NTSB CHI83FA123: Piper PA-28-140, N5769F, Beloit, WI, February 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1983, 13:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Beloit, WI
- Location: 42.5235° N, 89.0177° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Beloit, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5235&lon=-89.0177&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR 2 OR 3 MONTHS BEFORE HIS FLTS ON 2/27/83. ON THAT DAY, HE TOOK OFF & MADE 5 TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THEN STOPPED FOR A CUP OF COFFEE. THE PLT THEN DEPARTED AGAIN ON A 2ND FLT. APRX 1/2 HR LATER, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. NO CALLS WERE MADE BY THE PLT ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH THE BRANCHES OF 2 TREES ALONG A ROADWAY APRX 3400 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE ROADWAY WAS NEARLY ALIGNED WITH THE CENTERLINE OF THE RWY. SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE TREE LIMBS THAT WERE INDICATIVE OF PROPELLER SLASHES. THERE WERE NO LEAVES ON THE TREES. AIRPORT PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, PILOTS HAD MISTAKEN THE ROADWAY FOR THE ARPT RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5769F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5769F-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 28-25073, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25073
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R. Meyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1982, 89 hours before
- Airport: 44C, Beloit, runway 25, 2,630 × 165 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 638 total, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JVL, 8 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 19830227005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830227005359A), Feb 27, 1983: Piper PA28140, Beloit, WI, Destroyed. Collided with two lone trees near a highway short of airport. May have mistaken the road for the airport runway.

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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