Piper PA-32R-301 and Piper PA-11 mid-air collision near Ripon, Wisconsin, July 27, 2010
On July 27, 2010 at about 5:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA-32R-301 (N8159B) and Piper PA-11 (N78659), were involved in a mid-air collision near Ripon, Wisconsin. No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inability of either pilot to see the other airplane due to the blind spot created by their respective airplane's wings.
The inability of either pilot to see the other airplane due to the blind spot created by their respective airplane's wings.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2010 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ripon, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Incident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301s on the register
- Registration
- N8159B · no longer on the register · serial 32R-8013061
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-11 · all PA-11s on the register
- Registration
- N78659 · registry record · serial 11-1420
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-32R-301 final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the PA-11, a high-wing airplane, prior to entering the arrival route he performed a visual check to look for traffic in the area and then crossed Ripon, WI, at 90 knots and at an altitude of 1,800 feet. According to the pilot of the PA-32, a low-wing airplane, prior to entering the arrival route at Ripon he performed a visual check to look for traffic in the area, slowed to 90 knots, and descended to 1,800 feet. He increased his airspeed to between 95 and 100 knots upon hearing controllers advise pilots to keep their speed up. The pilot of the PA-11 observed the PA-32 come from above him, impact his propeller, and continue past him. Both airplanes landed without further incident. Examination of both airplanes revealed damage indicating a collision between the propeller blade of the PA-11 and the left main landing gear tire of the PA-32. No other damage was noted; an examination of the airframe and systems on both airplanes revealed no preexisting anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-11 final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the PA-11, a high-wing airplane, prior to entering the arrival route he performed a visual check to look for traffic in the area and then crossed Ripon, WI, at 90 knots and at an altitude of 1,800 feet. According to the pilot of the PA-32, a low-wing airplane, prior to entering the arrival route at Ripon he performed a visual check to look for traffic in the area, slowed to 90 knots, and descended to 1,800 feet. He increased his airspeed to between 95 and 100 knots upon hearing controllers advise pilots to keep their speed up. The pilot of the PA-11 observed the PA-32 come from above him, impact his propeller, and continue past him. Both airplanes landed without further incident. Examination of both airplanes revealed damage indicating a collision between the propeller blade of the PA-11 and the left main landing gear tire of the PA-32. No other damage was noted; an examination of the airframe and systems on both airplanes revealed no preexisting anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper PA-32R-301 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,669 hours in all; 1,076 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,484 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 10, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,268 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 9, 2010
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KUNU Juneau WI at 5:00 pm
- Destination: KOSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18R
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KOSH, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-11 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 20,756 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 29, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,997.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C90 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDKB De Kalb IL at 4:40 pm
- Destination: KOSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.