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August 26, 1984 · Cessna A185F · N61584

Lake Delton, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1984
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (4 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Lake Delton, WI
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N61584
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84FA364

THE FLOAT PLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM LAKE DELTON WHILE OF A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACFT WAS USED DAILY DURING THE TOURIST SEASON ON FLTS OF APRX 15 MIN LONG. THIS WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH FLT OF THE DAY & WAS THE 4TH OR 5TH FLT SINCE REFUELING. A PASSENGER & SVRL WITNESSES ON THE GROUND THOUGHT THAT THE ENG HAD LOST POWER. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY SPECIFIC REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE SURVIVORS OF THE CRASH BOTH AGREED THAT THE ACFT WAS OVER LAND WHEN A SHARP LEFT TURN WAS MADE BACK TOWARD THE WATER. DURING THIS TURN, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED APRX 40 FT FROM THE SHORELINE. AN AUTOPSY & TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS OF THE PLT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION.

Full Narrative

THE FLOAT PLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM LAKE DELTON WHILE OF A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACFT WAS USED DAILY DURING THE TOURIST SEASON ON FLTS OF APRX 15 MIN LONG. THIS WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH FLT OF THE DAY & WAS THE 4TH OR 5TH FLT SINCE REFUELING. A PASSENGER & SVRL WITNESSES ON THE GROUND THOUGHT THAT THE ENG HAD LOST POWER. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY SPECIFIC REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE SURVIVORS OF THE CRASH BOTH AGREED THAT THE ACFT WAS OVER LAND WHEN A SHARP LEFT TURN WAS MADE BACK TOWARD THE WATER. DURING THIS TURN, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED APRX 40 FT FROM THE SHORELINE. AN AUTOPSY & TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS OF THE PLT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:33 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN61584
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (4 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal4
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data