# NTSB CHI86FEP09: Piper PA-32R-300, N4909F, Wisconsin Rapid, WI, September 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1986, 20:15 local (Sep 20, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Wisconsin Rapid, WI
- Coordinates: 44.340869, -89.730323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3409&lon=-89.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEP09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEP09

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - instrument approach procedure - inaccurate (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

ATC HAD CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT WITH SEVERAL NONPRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACHES AND TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON A SEGMENT OF AN APPROACH TO THAT AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT TIME WITNESSES LOCATED 4.5 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT, HEARD THE AIRCRAFT PASS CLOSE BY AND THE SOUNDS OF IMPACT FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION AND FIREBALL. IMC PREVAILED THRUOUT THE GENERAL AREA AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4909F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-76804
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neil R. Jacobs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1986
- Departed: 074, SPARTA, WI
- Destination: ISW, WISCONSIN RAPID, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ISW, Alexander Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WAU, 35 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 19860919045499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860919045499A), Sep 19, 1986: Piper PA32R300, Wisconsin Rapid, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees and impacted ground inverted on approach in IMC. Pilot stated sdf approach. Sdf notamed out of service

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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