# NTSB Accident CHI00FA263
> **Piper PA-28-161** · 2000-08-15 · Watertown, WI, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** CHI00FA263
- **Event ID:** 20001212X21658
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2000-08-15
- **Location:** Watertown, WI, USA
- **Coordinates:** 43.190177, -88.719093
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 3
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-28-161
- **Registration:** N8126V
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

Aircraft control not being maintained during initial climb resulting in a stall/mush.  Factors to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, the pilot operating over the airplane's certified maximum gross weight, and the pilot selecting the wrong runway which resulted in a downwind takeoff.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=CHI00FA263) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*