# NTSB CHI83FA166: Piper PA24-260, N9215P, Middleton, WI, April 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1983, 22:58 local (Apr 15, 1983, 04:58 UTC)
- Place: Middleton, WI
- Coordinates: 43.100471, -89.499946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1005&lon=-89.4999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA166

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR-B APCH TO THE MOREY ARPT, AN UNCONTROLLED FACILITY AT AN ELEVATION OF 928 FT MSL. RWY 13/31 AT THE ARPT HAD LOW INTENSITY RWY LIGHTS WHICH COULD BE ACTIVATED BY KEYING THE RADIO ON 123.5 MHZ. THE CIRCLING MINIMUMS FOR THE APCH WERE 700 FT CEILING & 1 MI VISIBILITY. DURING THE APCH WITH THE RADIO ON 124.0 MHZ, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WX WAS 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 7 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH, THE CONTROLLER HEARD 3 CLICKS (ON 124.0 MHZ) & ADVISED THE PLT HE HAD LOST RADAR CONTACT. THE PLT RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT HE HAD GROUND COMTACT & WAS CANCELLING HIS IFR CLEARANCE, BUT THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWYLIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF APRX 1000 FT MSL, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1600 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9215P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4711
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1982, 49 hours before
- Departed: DIG, DWIGHTY, IL
- Destination: C29, MIDDLETON, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: C29, Morey, runway 13, 2,975 × 40 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,227 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,127 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN

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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