Piper PA-28R-201 N120CC

Summary

On 15 February 2001 at about 03:02 local time, a Piper PA-28R-201 registered N120CC was involved in an accident near Webb Lake, Wisconsin, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 February 2001 at 03:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Webb Lake, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Voyager Village Airstrip (Y05)

Coordinates

46.0003, -92.3694

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-201

Registration

N120CC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Webster → St Paul

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI01FA089

4 people died.

the pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during takeoff. Factors were the trees, transmission wire, and the dark night.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was destroyed on impact with trees, power lines, and terrain during takeoff. The pilot, student pilot rated passenger, and two other passengers were fatally injured. The pilot of the airplane that departed before the accident airplane stated that on his takeoff he "bent forward as his window partially fogged. He used his landing light to align with the runway centerline and maintain runway heading until he gained visual cues." A witness stated, "I ... saw the second plane taking off in the same direction. I noted that it was not very high off the ground. I saw its red and green lights but its headlight or landing light was not visible. ... A few seconds later, I heard what sounded like a crash or an explosion and the lights went out in the house." Another witness stated that "there was a flash of light and he looked out to see a fire in front of his house and in the street. He said that there were tiny fires through out the area and the fires went out quickly. He said it was a cloudy night and very dark. ... He said the airplane noise was coming from a different direction then he usually hears." The pilot stated that he "saw one side of runway lights on the way in and did not notice runway lights on takeoff." An on-scene investigation found no anomalies. Continuity was established to the flight controls. Engine control continuity was established. The engine produced a thumb compression at all cylinders. The left magneto produced spark at all leads. Fuel was found in the fuel selector valve. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise abrasions. A power line was found with a missing section. The operator's safety recommendation stated, "The pilot of the other aircraft that departed just prior said 'We should have departed to the south. The wind was calm. But there are more lights, from a beacon, buildings, few houses etc. Simply more to reference ... the [horizon.']" The weather was: Wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -20 degrees C; dew point -21 degrees C; altimeter 30.11 in Hg.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.