# NTSB CHI94LA024: Piper PA-28-181, N39952, Woonsocket, SD, October 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 26, 1993, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Woonsocket, SD - Coordinates: 44.050106, -98.270111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0501&lon=-98.2701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA024 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudging the airplane's clearance under the wires. Factors related to the accident were the performance of a low pass and the wires which were contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER FARM FIELDS APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES DRIVING ALONG A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLYING PARALLEL, AND OVER THE HIGHWAY. THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLY LOW OVER ANOTHER VEHICLE PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH POWERLINES CROSSING THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND EXPLODED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING LOW OVER WAS OCCUPIED BY THE PILOT'S FRIENDS. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 26, 1993, at 0950 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper PA-28-181, N39952, registered to the Fagerholt Brothers Farming Association of Hoople, North Dakota, and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it collided with power lines and terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The single occupant in the airplane was fatally injured. The flight departed Mitchell, South Dakota, at 0920 CDT. N39952 departed Mitchell, South Dakota, with full fuel tanks. As the airplane was taxiing for takeoff, the pilot advised the unicom radio at the airport that he was departing Runway 30 and heading north toward Huron, South Dakota. A witness located approximately one mile east and one mile south of the accident site stated she observed the airplane flying at an altitude that a crop duster would fly at while traveling from field to field. She stated its wings were rocking. Another witness driving on the four lane highway that N39952 crashed next to said he thought it was a low flying highway patrol airplane. This witness stated he estimated its altitude to be approximately 150 to 200 feet above the ground. Two occupants in a Chevrolet Suburban were acquainted with the pilot. These two individuals were driving north on the four lane highway when they observed the airplane pass over their vehicle in level flight. They stated N39952 passed overhead and collided with a wire crossing the highway. The witnesses said it was their impression that N39952's vertical stabilizer struck a wire before its descent to the ground. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The wreckage was located about 85 feet east of U.S. Highway 37, approximately 14 nautical miles south-southeast of the Huron Regional Airport, Huron, South Dakota. The airplane was at the north end of an irregularly shaped burned grass area measuring approximately 100' X 40'. The airplane was approximately 90 percent burned. The outer two-thirds of the right wing was found inverted and, along with the engine, survived the fire. The propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent aft, approximately 80 degrees. This blade was gently curved forward outboard of the bend's origin point. The second blade was bowed forward; no other bending damage was observed on the propeller blade. On December 8, 1993, N39952's engine was examined during disassembly. According to the Federal Aviation Administration's Principal Maintenance Inspector's report, "The tear-down revealed no indication of any engine malfunction or related accessory malfunction. The overall condition of the power plant was normal." MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy on the pilot was conducted by LCM Pathologists, P.C. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Federal Aviation Administration's Civil Aeromedical Institute, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, did the toxicological examination. The results of its examination were negative except 48.600 (ug/ml, ug/g) of acetaminophen was detected in the urine sample. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39952](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39952-1994-06-01), registration cancelled 1994-06-01, S/N 287990021 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990021 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fagerholt Brothers Farming Asc - Registered owner: Fagerholt Brothers Farming Asc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MHE, MITCHELL, SD - Destination: HON, HURON, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 934 total, 846 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HON, 15 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 19931026040719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931026040719A), Oct 26, 1993: Piper PA28181, Woonsocket, SD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed over friends vehicle on highway. Struck wires crashed and burned. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.