# NTSB CHI94LA167: Piper PA-12, N7867H, Wausaukee, WI, May 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1994, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Wausaukee, WI
- Coordinates: 45.369014, -87.949653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3690&lon=-87.9497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA167

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - not secured
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE FROM THE REAR SEAT.  HE STATED THAT AFTER CLEARING THE TREE LINE ON FINAL APPROACH, HE PLACED THE AIRPLANE INTO A SLIP TO LOSE ALTITUDE.  ABOUT TWENTY TO THIRTY FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, TURBULENCE INADVERTENTLY CAUSED HIM TO PULL THE CONTROL STICK FROM ITS MOUNTING PLACE ON THE CABIN FLOOR.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, BOUNCED, AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO SECURE THE STICK WITH THE SAFETY PIN BEFORE FLIGHT.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 1994, at 1030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7867H, sustained substantial damage during final approach to land on a private grass strip three miles east of Wausaukee, Wisconsin.  The commercial pilot reported minor injuries, the one passenger aboard was seriously injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Shawano County Airport, Shawano, Wisconsin, without flight plan and operated in visual meteorological conditions.

In a written statement provided to the NTSB, the pilot said that he was flying the airplane from the rear seat. After clearing the tree line on final approach, he placed the airplane into a slip to lose altitude. About twenty to  thirty feet above the ground, turbulence inadvertently caused him to pull the control stick from its mounting place on the cabin floor. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude, bounced, and came to rest inverted.  The pilot stated that due to the frequent removal of the rear control stick, he failed to secure the stick with the safety pin before flight.  No preimpact mechanical malfunctions  were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7867H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7867H), registered now, S/N 12-770, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-770
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley Sieja, Jr.
- Registered owner: Stanley Sieja, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1994, 3 hours before
- Departed: 3WO, SHAWANO, WI
- Airport: NONE, Sieja Farm, runway 27, 1,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,600 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MNM, 75 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 19940521011879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940521011879A), May 21, 1994: Piper PA12, Wausaukee, WI, Substantial damage. Flying rear seat. Slipped to loose altitude. Turbulence on final. Pulled stick from holder. No bolt or cotter pin.

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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