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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 24, 1993 · Stoeckler RV-4 · N720DS

Lake Delton, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lake Delton, WI
Aircraft
Stoeckler RV-4
Tail Number
N720DS
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI93DEP02

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERING NEAR A RESIDENTIAL AREA, MAKING 30 TO 45 DEGREE BANKED LEFT TURNS. ON THE LAST CIRCLE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREE TOPS, LEVELED MOMENTARILY AND THEN NOSED OVER AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor was trees.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 24, 1993, at approximately 1420 Central Daylight Time, a homebuilt Stoeckler RV-4, N720DS, registered to Danny R. Stoeckler, was destroyed when it struck trees while circling over a residential area in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. The private pilot incurred fatal injuries, and the passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was operating in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan on file. Witnesses observed the aircraft circling the area 3 to 4 times in a 30 to 45 degree bank, descending left turn. On the last circle, witnesses indicated the aircraft made a steep left turn, collided with the top of the trees, leveled momentarily in a nose high attitude, and then nosed over and crashed almost vertically into the ground. The witnesses also reported that the engine was running normally at the time of impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStoeckler RV-4
Tail NumberN720DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data