# NTSB CHI84LA161: Piper PA-28-140, N6737W, Genoa City, WI, April 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1984, 18:15 local (Apr 26, 1984, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Genoa City, WI
- Coordinates: 42.500404, -88.319564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5004&lon=-88.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT HAD MADE 2 TURNS & HAD ATTAINED AN ALT OF ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG SPUTTERED & LOST POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN & LAND ON THE RWY, BUT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD TO AVOID HOUSES & TREES. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE & CRASHED IN A FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL SYS. THE CARETAKER OF THE ARPT SAID THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN SINCE NOV 1983. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD DRAINED WATER FROM THE FUEL TANKS ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE CARETAKER HAD TOLD THE PLT NOT OT FLY THE ACFT UNTIL AFTER THE ENG HAD BEEN RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MIN & WAS RUNNING RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6737W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6737W-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 28-20856, built 1965 (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: 28-20856
- Airframe hours: 2865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard G. O'Reilly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1983
- Departed: 64C, GENOA CITY, WI
- Airport: 64C, Vincent Field, runway 9, 2,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 31 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 19840425016189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840425016189A), Apr 25, 1984: Piper PA28140, Genoa, WI, Substantial damage. Crash occurred when aircraft hit wire during emergency landing. Engine quit because of water contamination in fuel.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.