On September 20, 1986, a Piper PA-32R-300 (registration N4909F) was involved in an aviation accident near Wisconsin Rapid, WI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft on an IFR flight plan crashed 4.5 miles northwest of an airport after being cleared for a nonprecision instrument approach. Witnesses reported the sounds of impact, explosion, and a fireball.
Incident Overview
An aircraft operating under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan crashed approximately 4.5 miles northwest of an airport. The aircraft had been cleared by Air Traffic Control (ATC) for an approach to the airport, which featured several nonprecision instrument approaches. The clearance included instructions to maintain a specific altitude until established on a segment of the approach.
Circumstances
Shortly after the clearance was issued, witnesses located 4.5 miles northwest of the airport heard the aircraft pass close by. They immediately heard the sounds of impact, followed by an explosion and a fireball. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed throughout the general area at the time of the accident. The aircraft was being operated under an IFR flight plan, as per standard procedures for such conditions.
What happened in the 20 Sept 1986 Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Wisconsin Rapid, WI?
An aircraft on an IFR flight plan crashed 4.5 miles northwest of an airport after being cleared for a nonprecision instrument approach. Witnesses reported the sounds of impact, explosion, and a fireball.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Sept 1986 involved a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N4909F, at Wisconsin Rapid, WI.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…