# NTSB CHI84LA339: Piper PA-28-140, N3505Q, Washington Is., WI, August 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1984, 21:07 local (Aug 6, 1984, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Washington Is., WI
- Coordinates: 45.370143, -86.900909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3701&lon=-86.9009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA339

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF. THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE COCKPIT AND CABIN. AN EXAMINATION OF WRECKAGE SHOWED THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK. THE LEFT TANK HAD 3 PINTS OF FUEL IN IT. THE FUEL LINE FROM LEFT TANK TO ENGINE WAS BROKEN DURING IMPACT ACCORDINGTO THE PLT. THE RT FUEL TANK WAS DRY AND JUMP WAS OPEN. THE PLT SAID HE DRAINED THIS TANK BECAUSE BYSTANDERS WERE SMOKING. THE GASCOLATOR WAS 3/4 FULL OF FUEL AND CONTAINED 3/4 INCH OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3505Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3505Q-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 28-7725230, built 1977 (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: 28-7725230
- Airframe hours: 4200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-430-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Unterman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: WI47, WASHINGTON IS., WI
- Destination: SBM, SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI
- Airport: Washington Island, runway 32, 2,375 × 186 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,279 total, 69 in this make and model, 2,918 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840805042669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840805042669A), Aug 5, 1984: Piper PA28140, Washington Isla, WI, Substantial damage. Experienced drop in RPM after liftoff. Could not climb or accelerate. Too low to use carb heat. Water in gascolator

## Other investigations on N3505Q (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 MIA82IA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82IA066), Mar 8, 1982: Piper PA-28-140 (N3505Q), Near Melbourne, FL, incident, minor 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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