20010402011069A

(.19)On April 2, 2001, at 1629 central daylight time, a Cessna 501, N405PC, operated by an airline transport pilot was destroyed when maneuvering on initial climb after takeoff, it impacted into the south wall of the morning glory dairy cold storage facility in ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. A post impact explosion and fire ensued. The cold storage facility was destroyed and an adjacent dairy production plant sustained minor damage. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The ferry flight was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91. The pilot was fatally injured. Seven employees of the morning glory dairy in the cold storage facility were injured. Four of the employees sustained minor injuries. Three of the employees sustained serious injuries from burns. The cross-country flight originated at the Austin-Straubel municipal airport (grb), Green Bay, Wisconsin, at 1627, and was en route to ft. myers, Florida. At 1626 the pilot contacted the grb air traffic control tower (ATCT) and said that he was ready to go on runway 18 (8,200 feet by 150 feet, wet concrete). The ATCT controller told the pilot to proceed on course and he was cleared for takeoff. At 1627, grb radar, located on the airport, showed the airplane begin to accelerate down runway 18. At 1628:17 the ATCT controller instructed the pilot to contact departure control. The pilot responded, "we got a little problem with this, we're gonna have to come back". At 1628:27, the ATCT controller asked the pilot what kind of approach would he like? The pilot responded, "we'd like to keep the vis". At 1628:35, the ATCT controller asked the pilot if he was requesting a contact approach? There was no response from the pilot. At 1628:42, grb radar showed the airplane in a left turn heading 135 degrees, at an altitude of 1,055 feet mean sea level (MSL), and an airspeed of 182 knots. The airplane was approximately 1 mile south of the airport. At 1628:46, grb radar showed the airplane on a heading of 113 degrees, at an altitude of 955 feet MSL, and at an airspeed of 193 knots. The airplane was 1.8 miles from the airport on a 148 degree heading. At 1628:50, grb radar showed the airplane on a heading of 091 degrees, at an altitude of 855 feet MSL, and at an airspeed of 206 knots. The airplane was 1.28 miles from the airport on a 137 degree heading. Radar contact with the airplane was lost at 1628:55. A witness to the accident said she was traveling east on main street toward the morning glory dairy. "It was snowing moderately at that time. The road was wet but not slippery. Crossing the intersection of morning glory rd. & (and) main st., I noted a white private jet flying from the south. It was flying at approximately a 75-80 degree angle perpendicular to the ground with its left wing down & (and) teetering slightly. I first noticed the plane as it approached main street flying at that angle just south of, & (and) between fitzgerald's and the hilltop auto repair shops. It then crossed main street with the lower wing tip approximately 20 to 30 feet above the power wires. The plane became more perpendicular to the ground at a 90 degree angle with the left wing down & (and) lost altitude crashing into the morning glory dairy warehouse building". At 1638, Green Bay weather was reported as ceilings of 200 feet broken, 800 feet overcast, visibility 1/2 statute mile with snow and fog, temperature 32 degrees fahrenheit (f), dew point 32 degrees f, winds 120 degrees at 3 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury. (-23) on April 2, 2001 at 1629 CST, a Cessna 501, N405PC departed Austin Straubel airport in Green Bay, WI. When maneuvering on climb after take off the aircraft impacted the south wall of the morning glory dairy cold storage facility in ashwaubenon, WI. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured, the cold storage facility was destroyed and the adjacent dairy production plant sustained minor damage. Seven employees of the morning glory dairy in the cold storage facility were injured, four with minor injuries, and three with serious injuries. The purpose of the flight was to position the aircraft from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to ft. meyers, Florida.