# NTSB CHI95LA068: Piper PA-28-181, N39955, Brookfield, WI, January 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 15, 1995, 18:34 local (Jan 16, 1995, 00:34 UTC) - Place: Brookfield, WI - Coordinates: 43.060298, -88.149391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0603&lon=-88.1494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 3 serious - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA068 ## Probable cause The instructor's failure to maintain clearance with trees. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the night lighting conditions. ## 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) (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis AFTER RETURNING FROM THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT PROCEEDED TO PERFORM THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ACCEPTED THE PRIVATE PILOT'S INVITATION TO DO THE FOURTH APPROACH AND LANDING BY TAKING FULL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED ALL APPEARED NORMAL INCLUDING CENTERLINE TRACKING DURING THE FINAL APPROACH. WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS ON SHORT FINAL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL POWER. THE LEFT WING THEN STRUCK A SECOND TREE AND WAS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED POSITION. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL OR OTHER ANOMALIES WERE REPORTED BY EITHER THE INSTRUCTOR OR THE PRIVATE PILOT. ## Factual narrative On January 15, 1995, at 1834 central standard time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N39955, registered to Thunderbird Trans LTD, was destroyed when it stuck trees while on final approach to land at Capitol Airport, Brookfield, Wisconsin. The flight instructor, private pilot, and one passenger reported serious injuries. The local night 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight originated at 1745 and operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. After returning from the local practice area on the instructional flight, the private pilot proceeded to perform three takeoffs and landings at Capitol Airport. The flight instructor accepted the private pilot's invitation to do the fourth approach and landing by taking full control of the airplane. The instructor stated all appeared normal including centerline tracking during the final approach. While the airplane was on short final, the left wing struck a tree and the instructor immediately applied full power. The left wing impacted a second tree and was separated from the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground in an inverted position. No preimpact mechanical or other anomalies were reported by either the instructor or the private pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39955-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 28-7990022, built 1978 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990022 - Airframe hours: 4038 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Eagle Aviation - Registered owner: Thunderbird Trans Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 4, 1994, 33 hours before - Departed: 02C - Destination: 02C - Airport: 02C, Capitol Airport, runway 30, 330 × 44 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,045 total, 212 in this make and model, 3,902 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 19950115000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950115000349A), Jan 15, 1995: Piper PA28181, Brookfield, WI, Destroyed. CFI clipped trees on final. Impacted inverted on runway. Impacts severed a wing. Student made three prior landings. (-23) on approach to runway 3 at capital… ## Other investigations on N39955 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC84LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA018), Nov 1, 1983: Piper PA-28-181 (N39955), Prospectville, PA, substantial damage 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.