# NTSB CHI88DEP10: Piper PA-25-235, N4856Y, Beaver Dam, WI, August 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 20:00 local (Aug 11, 1988, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Dam, WI
- Coordinates: 43.459289, -88.829399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4593&lon=-88.8294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEP10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEP10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO GOOD LANDING AREAS AVAILABLE, SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE THE EMERGENCY LANDING IN A MARSH. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4856Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4856Y), registered now, S/N 25-4657, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4657
- Airframe hours: 2710
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: James J. Davis, doing business as Agland Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Agland Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1988, 27 hours before
- Departed: UNU, JUNEAU, WI
- Destination: UNU

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 11,300 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 28 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 19880810037299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810037299A), Aug 10, 1988: Piper PA25235, Beaver Dam, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to base. Crashed on forced landing. Fuel showed half full but bladder tank had collapsed.

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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