# NTSB CHI94LA098: Piper PA-28-140, N2145T, Madison, WI, March 7, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1994, 18:48 local (Mar 7, 1994, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.100414, -89.310661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1004&lon=-89.3107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH. THE DARK NIGHT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT STRAIGHT IN APPROACH THE AIRPLANE UNDERSHOT THE INTENDED LANDING RUNWAY AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ONE-QUARTER MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT HE FELT HE COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT IF HE HAD FLOWN A TRAFFIC PATTERN.

## Factual narrative

On March 6, 1994, at 1848 central standard time, a Piper, PA-28- 140, N2145T, registered to John E. Walz of Columbus, Wisconsin, and operated by a private pilot, experienced an undershoot during a night landing to the lighted runway 31 (5,846' x 150' dry/concrete) at the Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, Wisconsin. The landing was made one-quarter mile short of the runway in a farm field.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Chicago, Illinois, at 1745.

The pilot stated during an interview that he misjudged the altitude of the airplane above the ground on a straight in approach at night.  He indicated that he had the runway lights in sight until impact and thought he was on the correct glidepath.  He stated that he possibly could have prevented the accident by flying the traffic pattern.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2145T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2145T-1994-08-17), registration cancelled 1994-08-17, S/N 287125544 (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: 28-7125544
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walz, John E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL
- Airport: MSN, Dane Co Regional-Truax, runway 31, 5,846 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 115 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 1 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 19940306003699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940306003699A), Mar 6, 1994: Piper PA28140, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. During night straight in undershot runway. Impacted 500FT short. Failed to use pattern and stay high on final.

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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