# NTSB CHI92LA194: Piper PA-28-180, N9735J, Belmont, WI, July 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1992, 22:20 local (Jul 3, 1992, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Belmont, WI
- Coordinates: 42.729869, -90.330757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7299&lon=-90.3308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PLANNING/DECISION MAKING.  RELATED FACTORS ARE THE LOW CEILINGS AND FOG, THE DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT'S INACCURATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE HIGHER TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - not followed, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN.  ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REALIZED WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE 'FAR POORER' THAN EXPECTED AND THE FOG WAS HAMPERING HIS VISION. HE CHOSE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, AND WAS IN A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES.  THE PILOT STATED DUE TO THE POOR WEATHER HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM NAVIGATION.  THE AIRPLANE HAD WANDERED SEVERAL MILES OFF COURSE, INTO AN AREA OF HIGHER TERRAIN.  A POST-IMPACT GROUND FIRE ENSUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9735J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9735J-1992-11-16), registration cancelled 1992-11-16, S/N 283928 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3928
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timber City Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Timber City Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 75 hours before
- Departed: C32, MINERAL POINT, WI
- Destination: OQW, MAQUOKETA, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 880 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DBQ, 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 19920702023809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920702023809A), Jul 2, 1992: Piper PA28180, Belmont, WI, Destroyed. Departed into IMC at night VFR. Weather shortly became worse. Began turn around hit trees on hill. Was off course.

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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