# NTSB CHI85LA327: Howard DGA-15P, N5604V, Fond Du Lac, WI, July 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1985, 23:00 local (Jul 27, 1985, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Fond Du Lac, WI
- Coordinates: 43.770957, -88.440856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7710&lon=-88.4409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
  - physiological condition, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD ACCURUED APRX 12 HRS OF FLYING TIME ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE FINAL LANDING THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN AT THE RWY MID-POINT AND BOUNCED. THE ACFT THEN STRUCK A RWY LIGHT AND VEERED OFF THE RWY PAVED SURFACE INTO SOFT SOD. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND BUT THE SOFT SURFACE CAUSED SLOW ACCELERATION. SHORTLY AFTER BREAKING GROUND THE ACFT ATRUCK LOCALIZER ANTENNA POLES OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND FELL TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5604V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5604V), registered now, S/N 859, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P
- Registry model: [Howard DGA-15P](https://openairdocs.org/model/howard-dga-15p) (registry code 4690506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 859
- Airframe hours: 2492
- Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bryce B. Hunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1984, 89 hours before
- Departed: SUX, SIOUX CITY, IA
- Airport: FLD, Fon Du Lac County, runway 36, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 570 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °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 19850726034359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850726034359A), Jul 26, 1985: Howard DGA15P, Fond Du Lac, WI, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing, wheel struck runway light. Attempted go around and struck localizer antenna. Fatigue a factor.

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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