# NTSB CHI91LA093: Piper PA-28-181, N6205J, Marshfield, WI, February 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1991, 23:15 local (Feb 7, 1991, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Marshfield, WI
- Coordinates: 44.659164, -90.169021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6592&lon=-90.1690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA093

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH ONTO SNOW COVERED TERRAIN BESIDE THE RUNWAY.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT MISSED HIS FIRST (SDF) APPROACH & DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT, WHERE HE MISSED AN ILS APPROACH.  EN ROUTE TO A 3RD AIRPORT, HE PASSED OVER HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION & OBTAINED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPORT.  HE STATED HE FLEW THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY TO CHECK VISIBILITY & NOTICED A CLOUD NEAR THE APPROACH END.  HE ENTERED A DOWN WIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 34 & TURNED BASE APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY LENGTH. DURING A TIGHT TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE STALLED/SETTLED TO THE GROUND.  IT SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, DAMAGING THE LANDING GEAR, BELLY & PROP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6205J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6205J), registered now, S/N 28-7690371, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7690371
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Services, Inc.
- Departed: AMW, AMES, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MFI, Marshfield Muni, runway 34, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 296 total, 232 in this make and model, 226 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 30 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 19910206001979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910206001979A), Feb 6, 1991: Piper PA28181, Marshfield, WI, Substantial damage. Stalled trying to avoid fog at approach end of runway. Impacted snowbank off side of runway. Was circling VFR.

## Other investigations on N6205J (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI94LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA268), Aug 7, 1994: Piper PA-28-181 (N6205J), Lone Rock, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway.

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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