# NTSB CHI95LA176: Piper PA-28-160, N5762W, Viroqua, WI, June 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1995, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Viroqua, WI - Coordinates: 43.549968, -90.880607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5500&lon=-90.8806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9907/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA176 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - clearance - not possible, pilot in command - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE TAXIED THE AIRPLANE TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND PERFORMED AN ENGINE RUNUP. THE PILOT STATED ALL INDICATIONS WERE NORMAL. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND STARTED TO CLIMB. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS AND VIBRATE. HE IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED THE SELECTED FUEL TANK, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE 180 DEGREES IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE TURNING THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED TRANSMISSION WIRES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. A POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 160, N5762W, registered to B&G Electric Construction Company of Viola, Wisconsin, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing shortly after taking off from Viroqua Municipal Airport, Viroqua, Wisconsin. The airplane collided with transmission wires as the pilot was turning to try and avoid landing in a residential area. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was en route to Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he taxied the airplane to runway 11 at Viroqua Municipal Airport and performed an engine runup. According to the pilot, all indications were normal. The airplane then took off and started to climb. At approximately 300 feet above the ground, the pilot reported the engine began to miss and vibrate. He immediately switched fuel tanks, but the engine continued to lose power. The pilot made a 180 degree turn in an effort to try and return to the airport. While turning the airplane collided with power lines and impacted the ground. Review of engine logbooks disclosed the last annual inspection was performed on November 13, 1994. The airplane has logged 82.2 total hours since this last inspection. The entry prior to this entry was dated February 14, 1990. Between the dates of November 13, 1994 and February 14, 1990 the airplane logged 7.3 total hours. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5762W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5762W-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 28-1544, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1544 - Airframe hours: 3198 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: B&G Electric Construction Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1994, 82 hours before - Departed: Y51 - Destination: C35, REEDSBURG, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19950609019879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950609019879A), Jun 9, 1995: Piper PA28160, Viroqua, WI, Substantial damage. Engine miss and vibrate on climbout. Made 180 to return to airport. Struck powerline. No mechanical anomalies. (-23) pilot stated that shortly after takeoff,… ## Other investigations on N5762W (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 MKC77FCA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FCA22), Jun 2, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N5762W), St Charles, MO, 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.