# NTSB CHI85LA076: Piper PA-38-112, N26055, Byron Township, WI, December 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1984, 18:24 local (Dec 24, 1984, 00:24 UTC)
- Place: Byron Township, WI
- Coordinates: 43.770317, -88.439842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7703&lon=-88.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE LOW TIME 55 HR PILOT WAS WX BRIEFED ON UNFAVORABLE FLT CONDITIONS EN ROUTE TO DESTINATION. HE DEPARTED NO FLT PLAN. AS HE APPROACHED DESTINATION, 8 MI SOUTH, THE CEILING HAD LOWERED TO 200 FT, VISIBILITY ONE MI; ICING ON WINDSHIELD. WHILE FOLLOWING HIGHWAY, STRUCK GUY WIRE AT 177 FT AGL OF A 180 FT TOWER. PILOT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26055](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26055-1988-04-12), registration cancelled 1988-04-12, S/N 3881A0094 (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: 38-81A0094
- Airframe hours: 1577
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Macair Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1H2, EFFINGHAM, IL
- Destination: FLD, FOND DU LAC, WI
- Airport: FLD, Fond Du Lac

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 33 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Observed at: OSH

## 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 19841223075869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841223075869A), Dec 23, 1984: Piper PA38112, Byron Township, WI, Destroyed. Struck guy wire while following road at low altitude. Windshield iced over. VFR was not recommended by fss.

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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