# NTSB investigations, WI: Takeoff

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 6 · 260 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA231.md): Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Whitewater, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Jun 23, 2026 · N3849A · No damage
  > On June 22, 2026, about 1915 central daylight time, a Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly, N3849A, was involved in an accident near Whitewater, Wisconsin. The pilot of the Dragonfly was not injured. The pilot of the hang glider in tow was fatally injured. The tow…
- [NTSB CEN26LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA198.md): Commander 114TC · Woodruff, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2026 · N114DP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the go-around.
- [NTSB CEN24LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA330.md): Esqual VM1 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2024 · N151GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff which resulted in the airplane settling back to the runway and the subsequent separation of the left wheel.
- [NTSB CEN24LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA082.md): Cessna 172N · Middleton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 4, 2024 · N3477E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB CEN23LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA209.md): Kolb Firestar SS · Lodi, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N994TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN23LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA098.md): Cessna 120 · Eagle River, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 25, 2023 · N73034 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff from an unsuitable surface which resulted in collision with an object.
- [NTSB CEN22LA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA440.md): Beech C23 · Merrill, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2022 · N2240L · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate roll control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN22FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA214.md): Cessna 152 · Wauwatosa, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 26, 2022 · N4978B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall from which the student pilot could not recover.
- [NTSB CEN22LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA103.md): Cessna 120 · Sturtevant, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 18, 2022 · N90129 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN21FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA297.md): Earthstar Gull 2000 · Curtiss, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2021 · N1712L · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions with dense fog and low clouds, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-imposed…
- [NTSB CEN21LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA127.md): Cessna 172N · Prairie du Sac, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 12, 2021 · N3477E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.
- [NTSB CEN20LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA006.md): Beech 36 · Waukesha, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2019 · N396JG · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN19LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA224.md): Piper PA18 · Osceola, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N6983B · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right horizontal stabilizer during takeoff, resulting in a loss of control and forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved stabilizer frame and failure of maintenance personnel to identify…
- [NTSB GAA19CA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA143.md): Cessna 421 · Woodruff, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 10, 2019 · N581CJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank.
- [NTSB GAA18CA546](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA546.md): Piper PA28 · De Pere, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2018 · N7595R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision not to abort the takeoff after the airplane encountered standing water on the runway, which decreased its speed and led to its subsequent inability to climb and resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN18CA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18CA293.md): Just JA30 Superstol · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N45FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA18CA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA400.md): Champion 8GCBC · Waunakee, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2018 · N114JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tall corn along the edge of the airstrip during takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA18CA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA329.md): Dobbs George Coot · Malone, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2018 · N100TN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off with a known structural issue, which resulted in hull damage.
- [NTSB GAA18CA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA221.md): Cessna 120 · Iola, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2018 · N1807V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to reject the takeoff from a snow-covered grass surface, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN17FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA287.md): Aerofab Lake LA 4 250 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2017 · N1400P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind in unfavorable water conditions, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and the pilot losing control.
- [NTSB CEN17LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA224.md): Mckenna SD-1A · Juneau, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2017 · N31313 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s difficulty controlling the airplane due to his incorrect reinstallation of the wings, which led to a bounced precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and the mechanic to verify the wings’ angle of incidence.
- [NTSB GAA17CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA278.md): Reims Cessna FR172 · De Pere, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 13, 2017 · N42588 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN17FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA067.md): Demmer BD-4 · Brookfield, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 2017 · N311SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when he was not able to maintain directional control in the strong crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2016 · N744JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN16LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA302.md): Sonex Waiex · Fond du Lac, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2016 · N12YX · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine for reasons that could not be determined during an examination of the engine.
- [NTSB CEN16LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA293.md): Boam Larry Rans S 7 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2016 · N6271X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in his remedial action to induce an aerodynamic stall and the subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA255.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Arlington, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2016 · N6803Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to establish proper airspeed and angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane at its maximum gross weight in elevated density altitude and gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA322.md): Marks Steven Challenger · Marion, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 18, 2016 · N7058U · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the airplane engine drive belt during the takeoff, resulting in a forced landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15LA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA418.md): Cessna 421B · Platteville, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2015 · N813CA · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of right engine power for undetermined reasons with insufficient runway remaining for the aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN15LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA345.md): Air Tractor AT 401 · Nekoosa, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2015 · N1539U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his attempt to take off for the agricultural application flight with the airplane over its maximum gross weight in high-density altitude conditions and led to the airplane’s degraded climb…
- [NTSB GAA15CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA177.md): Centrair 101A · Hartford, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2015 · N39KG · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot's failure to connect the elevator to the elevator control rod during the assembly process, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain during takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA15CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA122.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Elk Mound, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2015 · N9045T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb after taking off from the service truck, which resulted in the helicopter impacting terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA537.md): Hughes TH 55A · Hudson, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2014 · N5335U · Substantial damage
  > The nonhelicopter-rated pilot’s operation of the helicopter and its subsequent collision with trees during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN14CA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA291.md): Jabiru USA Sport J230-SP · Middleton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2014 · N752J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN14CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA132.md): Taylorcraft BC12 D · Hartford, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 8, 2014 · N43955 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to inspect the runway before departure.
- [NTSB CEN13CA528](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA528.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Delavan, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2013 · N86586 · Substantial damage
  > The collision with a hawk during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent noseover.
- [NTSB CEN13LA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA503.md): Cessna 182A · Concord, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2013 · N5131D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly plan for a maximum performance takeoff by not fully addressing the elevated density altitude or the nonstandard runway surface conditions and his failure to properly configure the airplane's flap setting for the accident…
- [NTSB CEN13CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA042.md): Luscombe 8E · West Bend, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 3, 2012 · N2368K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot‘s failure to maintain clearance from power lines at the end of the short runway, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent nose-over of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN12LA661](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA661.md): Lake LA4 · Kenosha, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2012 · N1127L · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination and test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN12CA598](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA598.md): Mooney M20E · Gresham, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2012 · N5642Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and clearance from field corn during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN12CA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA380.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Sheboygan, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 15, 2012 · N721SM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB CEN12LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA153.md): Socata TBM 700 · Madison, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 10, 2012 · N850LM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that ice and snow were removed from the airplane’s surfaces during the preflight inspection, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall after takeoff and loss of control of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN11LA549](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA549.md): Aerosport Ikarus C42E · East Troy, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2011 · N577JP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instrctor's delayed remedial action during landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s loss of directional control when he became distracted with the open door.
- [NTSB CEN11LA546](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA546.md): Reinboldt Richard A Challenger II · Reedsburg, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2011 · N340BR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN11FA531](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA531.md): Edwards Douglas L SKY Ranger · Wautoma, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2011 · N7501Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and attitude control of the airplane in the turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN11CA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA271.md): Cessna 172N · Appleton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 31, 2011 · N73836 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN10CA451](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA451.md): Piper PA-12 · Wild Rose, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2010 · N775PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB CEN10CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA283.md): Cessna 182A · Franksville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2010 · N4974D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and delay in aborting the takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN10CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA158.md): Cessna 172M · Waupaca, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2010 · N1472U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting winds.
- [NTSB CEN10LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA145.md): Hawker Beechcraft A36 · Milwaukee, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2010 · N1114X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's retraction of the landing gear prior to establishing a positive climb rate.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300/cases.md?state=WI&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
  crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
  current_codes AS (
    SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e."tier1Number" AS INTEGER) AS code,
      row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e."isDefiningEvent", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
    WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e."tier1Number" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
      AND (e."isDefiningEvent" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT "mKey" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE "isPre1982"))
  ),
  phases AS (
    SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
    FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
    UNION ALL
    SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o."phaseOfFlightCode", w.main
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o."phaseOfFlightCode"
    WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
  ),
  case_phases AS (
    SELECT p.*, c."eventDate", c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
    FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = p.case_mkey
    LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
    WHERE c."eventDate" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
  )
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'WI' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 300)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300/cases?state=WI

---
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