Piper PA-22 accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, April 4, 1997
On April 4, 1997 at about 7:41 pm local time, a Piper PA-22, registered N9231D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment, which resulted in a subsequent nose over. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 1997 · about 7:41 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22 · all PA-22s on the register
- Registration
- N9231D · no longer on the register · serial 22-6291
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he checked the current weather via the Wittman Field Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Information. He reported there was a 'crosswind from south west at 14 knots and gusting.' The pilot performed a 'crosswind landing and landed normally on runway 27.... During rollout a gust of wind came from the left and the left went up.' He corrected with aileron 'but was unable to compensate for the gusts.' The airplane departed the runway to the right side 'and flipped, coming to rest inverted.' The aircraft's wings sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 83 hours in all; 76 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 47 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,288 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 1997; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OSH at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:47 pm from OSH, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.