# NTSB CHI95LA194: Piper J-5A, N40888, Wausau, WI, June 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1995, 20:10 local (Jun 23, 1995, 01:10 UTC) - Place: Wausau, WI - Coordinates: 44.959171, -89.639167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9592&lon=-89.6392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9921/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA194 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of the clearance between the airplane and the fuel pumps. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - airport facility - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE WAS TAXIING THE AIRPLANE IN A CONGESTED AREA NEAR A REFUELING ISLAND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND WING STRUT COLLIDED WITH THE FUEL PUMPS ON THE ISLAND. THE RIGHT WING STRUTS WERE BENT AND THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS CRACKED AT THE JURY STRUT ATTACH POINT. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1995, at 2010 central daylight time, a Piper J-5A, N40888, registered to John P. Chmiel of Wausau, Wisconsin, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with fuel pumps on an aircraft refueling island during taxi for departure at the Wausau Municipal Airport, Wausau, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The airplane was going to depart from Wausau, Wisconsin, at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement, he was taxing the airplane in a confined area when he misjudged his distance from the fuel pumps. He said the right main landing gear and wing strut struck the fuel pumps during taxi. The pilot said the collision broke the right landing gear forward mounting bolt. He said the right wing struts and associated jury struts were badly bent. The right wing's main spar was cracked at the jury strut mount, according to the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40888](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40888), registered now, S/N 5-1198, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-5A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-1198 - Engines: Continental A 75-9C8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wausau Flying Service - Registered owner: John P. Chmiel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: AUW, Wausau Downtown Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 355 total, 27 in this make and model, 268 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AUW, 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 19950622022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950622022359A), Jun 22, 1995: Piper J5A, Wausau, WI, Substantial damage. Taxiing in conjested area. Wing struck fuel pump on pump island. Bent struts and wing spar. (-23) during taxi for takeoff pilot struck gas pump causing… ## Other investigations on N40888 (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 CHI99LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA109), Mar 15, 1999: Piper J5A (N40888), Wausau, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the lack of suitable terrain for landing. A factor to the accident was the aircraft owner not performing necessary maintenance to the aircraft. 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.