# NTSB CHI84FA376: Piper PA-18-150, N8042B, Oak Grove, WI, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 15:31 local (20:31 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, WI
- Coordinates: 43.46017, -88.829483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4602&lon=-88.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA376
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA376

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED TO THE HOST OF THE PICNIC THAT HE WOULD 'BUZZ THE PARTY A COUPLE OF TIMES.' THE TWO SEAT ACFT HAD THREE OCCUPANTS ABOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT PASSED OVER THE PICNIC TWICE AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN CLIMBED, REVERSED DIRECTION AND DESCENDED BACK TOWARD THE FIELD. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO FLY BETWEEN TWO TREES BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TREE. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND AND BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8042B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5688
- Airframe hours: 4010
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry L. Rhode
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: JUNEAU, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 746 total, 428 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 30 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 19840903045149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903045149A), Sep 3, 1984: Piper PA18150, Oak Grove, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. After low passes over friends, pilot tried to go between 2 trees. Struck tree. Two passengers in single rear seat.

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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