Piper PA 28-235 accident near Winneconne, Wisconsin, October 24, 2015
On October 24, 2015 at about 8:15 pm local time, a 1975 Piper PA 28-235, registered N3979X, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Winneconne, Wisconsin (Courtney Plummer airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An engine compartment fire during landing, which resulted in extensive fire damage, for reasons that could not be determined during examinations of the remaining wreckage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 24, 2015 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Winneconne, Wisconsin · Courtney Plummer · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-235, built 1975 · all PA 28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N3979X · no longer on the register · serial 28-7610002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a cross-country flight. He reported that he could tell something was wrong as he started the descent for landing. He added that the engine was running "rough" and that it "quit" as the airplane touched down. He then observed black smoke and fire exiting out of the cowling. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane sustained discoloration, deformation, and extensive thermal damage to the right side of the fuselage forward of the empennage, the cockpit, and the engine cowling. The fuel line going to the carburetor was separated. A detailed examination of the fuel line revealed that it had separated due to bending overstress with evidence of exposure to high temperature. However, the on-scene and detailed examinations could not determine the source of the ignition.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,900 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 7, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ARR Chicago/Aurora IL at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 9WN1 Winneconne WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,403 ft by 32 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KOSH, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 12, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Summary for Record - NTSB Chemist, Fire, and Explosion Specialist | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Images - Supplied by the FAA and Recovery Company | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records - Supplied by Repair Station | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Miscellaneous Information - Last Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.