# NTSB CHI85FA253: Piper PA-28-151, N32461, Reedsburg, WI, June 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1985, 20:15 local (Jun 26, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Reedsburg, WI
- Coordinates: 43.529911, -89.990638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5299&lon=-89.9906&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): 12848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA253

## 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)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

NO KNOWN WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PLT PREFLT THE ACFT OR TAKEOFF. HE DEPARTED IN THE EVENING WHILE THE ARPT WAS NOT ATTENDED. AT APRX 2012 CDT, HIS SON OBSERVED & RECOGNIZED THE ACFT. AT THAT TIME, THE SON WAS AT HIS OWN HOME ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE PLT'S HOME. THE SON SAW THE ACFT OVERFLY HIS FATHER'S HOME AT LOW ALT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE SAW THE ACFT GO OVER A TREE COVERED RIDGE BETWEEN THE PLT'S HOUSE & THE ACDNT SITE. THE SON STATED THAT THE ACFT STRUCK TREES ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE RIDGE & DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW. AFTER HITTING THE TREES, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FIELD & CAME TO REST ABOUT 185 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE TREES. EVENTUALLY, THE ACFT BEGAN BURNING. CLEANLY CUT TREE LIMBS (PROP CUTS) WERE FND WHERE THE ACFT STRUCK THE TREES. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.239%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32461](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32461-1989-12-28), registration cancelled 1989-12-28, S/N 287515161 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515161
- Airframe hours: 1614
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Reedsburg Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1984, 90 hours before
- Departed: C35, REEDSBURG, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 460 total, 400 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850625027859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850625027859A), Jun 25, 1985: Piper PA28151, Reedsburg, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. After low altitude pass over house aircraft struck trees and wing separated. Pilot intoxicated.

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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