# NTSB CHI88DEP12: Piper PA-36-300, N57847, Pulaski, WI, September 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1988, 02:10 local (08:10 UTC)
- Place: Pulaski, WI
- Coordinates: 44.65982, -88.229263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6598&lon=-88.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEP12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEP12

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, 75 DEGREES NOSEDOWN, INTO THE TERRAIN. HIS WIDOW STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD LEFT HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 CST ON THE ACCIDENT NIGHT, IN AN INEBRIATED CONDITION. AFTER A DISCUSSION ABOUT HIS DRINKING, HE REPORTEDLY STATED THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST TIME HE FLEW. TOX TESTS REVEALED THAT THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.21%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57847](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57847-1991-10-21), registration cancelled 1991-10-21, S/N 367760019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7760019
- Airframe hours: 3980
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ag Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Ag-Co Of Wisconsin Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 240 hours before
- Departed: AIG, ANTIGO, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,160 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 8,160 as pilot in command, 368 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 12 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 19880914038509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880914038509A), Sep 14, 1988: Piper PA36300, Pulaski, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft dove into ground at high speed. Pilot had domestic argument tookoff intoxicated. Stated may be last flight

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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