# NTSB CHI91FA088: Piper PA-28-140, N4676R, Osceola, WI, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Osceola, WI
- Coordinates: 45.310859, -92.689926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3109&lon=-92.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA088

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

FAILURE OF THE PILOTS IN BOTH AIRCRAFT TO SEEING-AND-AVOID THE OTHER AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PLTS OF 2 CESSNA 182 ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 10 IN FORMATION. ONE OF THESE, N6384A, HAD 4 SKYDIVERS ABOARD. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT OF N6384A DISCONTINUED FORMATION FLT & DEPD TO THE SE, WHILE THE OTR CESSNA DEPD NE. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, A PIPER PA-28, N4676R, WAS APCHG THE ARPT WITH A DUAL STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) ABOARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED & COLLIDED ABOUT 1-1/2 MI SE OF THE ARPT. NO KNOWN WITNESS SAW THE COLLISION; THE ALTITUDE & HEADINGS OF THE ACFT WERE NOT VERIFIED. DURING IMPACT, THE 2 ACFT BECAME ENTANGLED & THEY IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE SAME LOCATION. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE HIGH WING CESSNA & THE LOW WING PA-28 CONVERGED LATERALLY, WHILE ON FLT PATHS THAT ANGLED TOWARD EACH OTHER.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4676R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4676R-1997-04-01), registration cancelled 1997-04-01, S/N 2821433 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21433
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy Schmeckpeper
- Departed: AOE, ANOKA, MN
- Destination: OEO
- Airport: OEO, L.O.Simenstad Muni

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N6384A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6384A-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 33184, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33184
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick R. Quaschnick
- Registered owner: Patrick R. Quaschnick
- Departed: OEO
- Airport: OEO, L.O.Simenstad Muni, runway 10, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4676R; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 539 total
- Pilot, aircraft N6384A; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MSP, 34 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910203001471A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001471A), Feb 3, 1991: Piper PA28140, Osceola, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck fuselage and right wing of N6384A that was climbing to unload sky diver. Both aircraft broke up and fell.
- [Accident 19910203001472A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001472A), Feb 3, 1991: Cessna 182, Osceola, WI, Destroyed, 5 fatal. While climbing to unload sky divers fuselage and right wing was struck by N4676R. Both broke up. No one saw impact.

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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