# NTSB CHI84FA180: Colonial C-2, N281B, Stone Lake, WI, May 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1984, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Stone Lake, WI
- Location: 45.8389° N, 91.5521° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stone Lake, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8389&lon=-91.5521&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN TO LITTLE SISSABAGAMA LAKE WHERE HE OWNED A CABIN. A WITNESS HAD OBSERVED THE LAST 3 MINS OF FLT BUT NOT THE ACTUAL IMPACT WITH THE WATER. THE ACFT WAS LATER FOUND INVERTED IN 15 FT OF WATER 300 FT FROM A SHORE. PLT WAS FOUND 150 FT FROM THE SHORE & THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DROWNING. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A WIDE GRADUALLY DESCENDING LEFT TURN AROUND AN ISLAND. THE ENG SOUND WAS 'NORMALLY LOUD. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENG SOUND DECREASED MOMENTARILY, THEN STOP. THE LEFT WING FLOAT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE WING. THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER TRIM TABS WERE ABOUT 3 DEG NOSE UP, A NEAR-CRUISE SETTING. ACCORDING TO THE CFI WHO HAD CHECKED OUT THE PLT IN THE ACFT, THE PLT, WHO WAS A B-727 AIRLINE CAPTAIN, HAD DIFFICULTY JUDGING SURFACE WIND DIRECTION FOLLOWING A LOW PASS OVER THE WATER.' WINDS IN THE AREA ARE UNPREDICTABLE DUE TO THE SEVERAL ISLANDS ON THE LAKE. IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME & WAVE HEIGHT WAS ABOUT 1 FT. THE WATER TEMP WAS 42 DEG F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N281B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N281B), registered now, S/N 140, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COLONIAL C-2
- Registry model: [Colonial C-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/colonial-c-2) (registry code 5110202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 140
- Airframe hours: 1713
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald D. Peter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1983, 53 hours before
- Departed: ENW, KENOSHA, WI
- Destination: LITTLE SISSABA, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,797 total, 49 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 11 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19840507016369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840507016369A), May 7, 1984: Conaer C2, Stone Lake, WI, Minor damage. Aircraft found intact floating upside down. Pilot left aircraft and drowned. Indicates failure to flare for landing

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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