20050720024649A

(-23) On July 20, 2005, a Cessna 172P piloted by privacy data omitted departed from the lawrence j. timmerman (mwc) airport, milwaukee at approximately 0730 local time. The aircraft was rented from gran-air, incorporated and the supervising flight instructor was privacy data omitted the flight was conducted under 14CFR part 91, in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed and no evidence of a preflight weather briefing was located. Green bay flight service station did not have a record of a weather briefing given for the flight in question. It was determined that the flight instructor had discussed the weather with the pilot privacy data omitted prior to his departure. The pilot privacy data omitted and privacy data omitted were scheduled to conduct a cross-country flight later in the morning on July 20. The weather at the time of departure was good VFR with light winds "VFR 1300-1700. Light rain reported after 1635Z". West bend AWOS reported at 0805 local "SCT046 SCT060 73/66 30.00." Fueling records indicated that the aircraft was properly fueled and contained enough fuel for the mission to the practice area maneuver and return on that morning. The air craft had current inspections and there was no reported history of mechanical deficiencies that could have been a factor on that day. Post crash investigation did not yield any evidence that would indicate a probability of a mechanical irregularity contributing to the accident. Radar track data (per the NTSB) indicated that the aircraft departed mwc traveled north from the airport then took a northeasterly heading to the "practice area" intersection of hwy 60 and county g. the aircraft then traveled north following county highway g end then in a racetrack patter reversed course and paralleled g to the south. It was indicated by the radar data that the ground speed slowed to 60 knots more or less and disappeared from the radar screen. It should be noted that the indicated altitude was approximately 800 feet above ground level (AGL). The accident site indicated that the aircraft impacted the terrain in an inverted nose down attitude and the nose of the aircraft was buried in the soil up to the main landing gear (the area is swampy and the soil is a peat with a soft consistency). The emergency locator transmitter antenna was buried in the earth making locating by satellite more difficult than normal. Accident site evidence would suggest that the aircraft was in a spin. The wreckage was in a tight pattern on the ground with minimum of damage to the trees in the area. There were impact scars high on one large tree with minimal to no damage on other surrounding trees. There was evidence of fuel on foliage in the area indicative from blight. The flaps on the aircraft were partially extended. The pilot privacy data omitted was below the terrain and he was still restrained by his seat belt and was not initially visible to rescue personnel. The flaps were extended approximately 25 degrees. An interview with the supervising flight instructor indicated that the pilot privacy data omitted was in the practice performing maneuvers and was to return to mwc airport in preparation for a dual cross country. The flight instructor stated that he was having some difficulty mastering landing specifically crosswind. Otherwise it was said the pilot privacy data omitted was progressing satisfactorily in his training.