# NTSB CHI85LA049: Piper PA-38-112, N2428L, Wild Rose, WI, November 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1984, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Wild Rose, WI
- Coordinates: 44.169284, -89.240051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1693&lon=-89.2401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING AT 500 FT AGL OVER AN OPEN MARSH THAT IS SURROUNDED BY HIGHER TERRAIN COVERED WITH PINE TREES, LOOKING FOR HIS FATHER WHO WAS HUNTING IN THE AREA. THE PLT CONTINUED TO STATE THAT HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH TRYING TO IDENTIFY A PERSON ON THE GROUND AND THUS WAS NOT WATCHING HIS ALTITUDE. HE ENTERED A CLIMBING LEFT TURN AT WHICH TIME HE HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE ACFT WHICH WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2428L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2428L-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 3879A0700 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0700
- Airframe hours: 1923
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sentry Aviation Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 1984, 56 hours before
- Departed: STE, STEVENS POINT, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 147 total, 57 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 40 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 19841118068869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841118068869A), Nov 18, 1984: Piper PA38112, Wild Rose, WI, Substantial damage. Struck a tree while maneuvering at a unsafe altitude. Was looking for a hunting party in the area.

## Other investigations on N2428L (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 CHI83LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA026), Oct 16, 1982: Piper PA-38-112 (N2428L), Stevens Point, WI, substantial 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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