# NTSB CHI86LA214: Piper PA-12, N3736M, Menominee Falls, WI, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Menominee Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 43.139076, -88.11956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1391&lon=-88.1196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG HAD QUIT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO INSURE THAT THE ENG WAS WORKING PROPERLY. DURING TAKEOFF, IT LOST POWER AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL. THE PLT TRIED TO TURN & LAND ON THE SW PART OF THE ARPT. HOWEVER, A WING DRAGGED THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASHED. A TEARDOWN OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THERE WAS A FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE MAIN FUEL JET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3736M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2675
- Airframe hours: 3211
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Silent Wings, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: 76C
- Airport: 76C, Aero Park, runway 18, 1,865 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 401 total, 9 in this make and model, 354 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWC, 23 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 19860830043389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830043389A), Aug 30, 1986: Piper PA12, Menominee Falls, WI, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. Aircraft turned at low level and hit ground. Foreign object found blocking main fuel jet.

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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