# NTSB CHI89LA152: Piper PA-28-180, N3954R, Watertown, WI, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Coordinates: 43.190601, -88.720344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1906&lon=-88.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA152

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED DURING THE LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY TO MAKE A GO-AROUND, WET RUNWAY WITH HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS, THE FENCE, THE DITCH, AND THE ROADWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE WET RWY & WENT THRU A FENCE & DITCH BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON A ROADWAY. THE WX CONDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACDNT WERE DESCRIBED AS 'MUCKY,'  WITH LOW CEILINGS (200' TO 400'), LOW VISIBILITIES (1 TO 1-1/2 MI), & A STEADY RAIN. A WITNESS, WHO SAW THE ACFT ON SHORT FINAL APCH FOR THE RWY, RPRTD THAT IT APPEARED TO BE TOO FAST. HE ESTIMATED THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN APRX 600' FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 4000' RWY. THE 63 YR OLD VFR PLT & THE 86 YR OLD ACFT OWNER TOLD WITNESSES THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GO AROUND. AN INSPN OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED ABOUT 5 GAL OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK, WHILE THE RIGHT TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY. THE ACFT OWNER/RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER WAS ALSO A RATED PLT, BUT SHE HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY IN LATE 1988 & NO LONGER HELD A VALID MED CERT. APRX 39 MI ESE AT MILWAUKEE, THE 1650 CDT WX WAS IN PART: PARTIAL OBSCURATION, 3500' BROKEN, VISIBILITY 1.5 MI HAZE & LIGHT RAIN, WIND 070 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3954R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3954R), registered now, S/N 28-7105059 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Whyte, Edna G.
- Registered owner: Whyte, Edna G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DMO, SEDALIA, MO
- Destination: RYV
- Airport: RYV, Watertown, runway 23, 3,965 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,053 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft unknown
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 39 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 19890729025699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890729025699A), Jul 29, 1989: Piper PA28180, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. Low on fuel in unfavorable weather, landed fast on last third of runway. Overshot into a ditch. Blamed hydroplaning.

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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