# NTSB CHI93FA038: Piper PA-28-140, N1892J, Brookfield, WI, November 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1992, 01:43 local (07:43 UTC)
- Place: Brookfield, WI
- Coordinates: 43.079689, -88.249046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0797&lon=-88.2490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA038

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER GLIDEPATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

PILOT RETURNING FROM A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT CANCELLED HER IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND PROCEEDED VISUALLY TO HER DESTINATION, AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. THE RUNWAY USED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WAS NARROW, SLOPED UPHILL, HAD A DISPLACED THRESHOLD, LOW INTENSITY RUNWAY LIGHTING, NO VASI, AND WAS SURROUNDED BY DARK FEATURELESS TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING DAY IN A SWAMP ONE-QUARTER MILE FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT HAD DESCENDED INTO TREES, AND CRASHED IN THE SWAMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1892J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1892J-1994-04-22), registration cancelled 1994-04-22, S/N 2824337 (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: 28-24337
- Airframe hours: 1884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brookfield Pilot Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Brookfield Pilot Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1992, 72 hours before
- Departed: GRB, GREEN BAY, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 02C, Capitol Drive, runway 21, 3,555 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 347 total, 171 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 12 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 19921121047609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921121047609A), Nov 21, 1992: Piper PA28140, Brookfield, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Too low on final approach to runway. Struck trees and crashed in a swamp.

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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