# NTSB CHI85LA056: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21596, Chambers Island, WI, November 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1984, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Chambers Island, WI
- Location: 45.1822° N, 87.3554° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chambers Island, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1822&lon=-87.3554&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - bent
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF UPON REACHING AN ALT OF 8-10 FT AGL A DOWN DRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THE RWY ON THE RT LANDING GEAR WHICH WAS IN THE TRANSIENT POSITION. HE REPORTED HE WAS ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE BUT THE RATE OF CLIMB WAS SLOW. HE DETERMINED THAT THE TREES SOUTH OF THE APRT COULD NOT BE CLEARED SO HE SLOWED THE ACFT AND LANDED IN THE TREE TOPS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT ACTIVATED THE GEAR OVERRIDE SYSTEM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. USING SHORT FIELD PROCEDURES THE GEAR RETRACTION PROCESS BEGAN UPON ROTATION RESULTING IN PROPELLER CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21596](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21596-1999-10-25), registration cancelled 1999-10-25, S/N 32R-7887223 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7887223
- Airframe hours: 1095
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James F. Hennig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 1984, 30 hours before
- Destination: GRB, GREEN BAY, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Chambers Island, runway 18, 2,500 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,760 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 55 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 19841122063069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841122063069A), Nov 22, 1984: Piper PA32RT300T, Chambers Island, WI, Destroyed. Lifted off, encountered downdraft and strong gusty winds. Could not clear trees, slowed down, landed in tree tops.

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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