# NTSB CHI83FA410: Piper PA-28-180, N15651, Forestville, WI, September 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1983, 08:57 local (13:57 UTC)
- Place: Forestville, WI
- Coordinates: 44.68909, -87.469619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6891&lon=-87.4696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA410
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA410

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - electrical tower (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING LOW PASSES, 150-200 FT AGL, OVER A WOODED AREA & THEN STRIKE A RADIO ANTENNA AT THE 207-FT LEVEL. THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED & IMPACTED THE GROUND. MEMBERS OF THE PLT'S AERO CLUB STATED THAT THE PLT & PAX WERE PROBABLY SPOTTING FOR DEER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15651](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15651-1983-11-23), registration cancelled 1983-11-23, S/N 28-7305108 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305108
- Airframe hours: 4158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rio Creek Aviators Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 185 hours before
- Departed: 95C, RIO CREEK, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 489 total, 489 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19830917049289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830917049289A), Sep 17, 1983: Piper PA28180, Forestville, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a radio tower antenna during low level deer spotting activity. Impact jammed aileron causing loss of control

## Other investigations on N15651 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI80DEP11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP11), Dec 29, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N15651), Rio Creek, WI, substantial damage

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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