# NTSB CHI90FA236: Piper PA-32R-300, N4070Q, Watertown, WI, August 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1990, 22:00 local (Aug 19, 1990, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Coordinates: 43.190181, -88.719459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1902&lon=-88.7195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA236

## Probable cause

INITIATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGIAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN CURRENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN APPROX 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. A POLICE OFFICER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TAXI TO THE RUNWAY; HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE TAKE OFF. HE DESCRIBED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME AS HEAVY RAIN WITH LIGHTNING AND THUNDER, AND HIGH WINDS. A PASSENGER IN AN AUTOMOBILE ON A HIGHWAY 1500 FT WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED WHAT SHE THOUGHT TO BE A 'SHOOTING STAR'. SHE STATED THEY WERE DRIVING SLOWER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE PILOT STATED TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAD TO FLY AND DO THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BEFORE MIDNIGHT OR HE WOULD LOSE HIS LICENSE. HIS LAST FLIGHT WAS 92 DAYS (EXACTLY 3 CALENDAR MONTHS) BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4070Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4070Q-1991-04-02), registration cancelled 1991-04-02, S/N 32R7780325 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780325
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wisconsin Aviation Inc
- Airport: RYV, Watertown Muni, runway 23, 3,965 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 212 total, 8 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900818033879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900818033879A), Aug 18, 1990: Piper PA32R300, Watertown, WI, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Took off into thunderstorm activity at night. Lost control. Crashed near airport.

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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