# NTSB CHI08CA073: Squier Pauper II, N70727, Stockbridge, WI, February 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2008, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Stockbridge, WI - Coordinates: 44.029998, -88.190002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0300&lon=-88.1900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's spatial disorientation while maneuvering after takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Contributing factors were the snow-covered lake and overcast clouds, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation due to the indefinite horizon. An additional factor was the airplane's low altitude at the time of the occurrence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05623L2), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built airplane reported that he had attended a chili fly-in and was departing at the time of the accident. An area of a frozen lake approximately 1,800 feet long had been plowed for use as a runway during the fly-in. The pilot stated that he had taken off and the airplane was about 25 to 30 feet above the terrain, when he initiated a turn and subsequently impacted the frozen lake surface. The pilot noted that he had difficulty identifying a clear horizon due to snow covered terrain and the overcast cloud conditions. He added that depth perception is very difficult under those circumstances. The pilot stated that the airplane was mechanically sound and he did not experience any problems with it. He recalled weather conditions as approximately 1,500 feet overcast, with 7 miles visibility. Winds were light and variable at the time. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur-built airplane reported that he had attended a chili fly-in and was departing at the time of the accident. An area of a frozen lake approximately 1,800 feet long had been plowed for use as a runway during the fly-in. The pilot stated he had taken off and the airplane was about 25 to 30 feet above the terrain, when he initiated a turn and subsequently impacted the frozen lake surface. The pilot noted that he had difficulty identifying a clear horizon due to snow covered terrain and the overcast cloud conditions. He added that depth perception is very difficult under those circumstances. The pilot stated that the airplane was mechanically sound and he did not experience any problems with it. He recalled weather conditions as approximately 1,500 feet overcast, with 7 miles visibility. Winds were light and variable at the time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70727](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70727-2008-12-09), registration cancelled 2008-12-09, S/N 6, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Squier Pauper II - Registry model: [Squier Daniel G PAUPER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/squier-daniel-g-pauper-ii) (registry code 05623L2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6 - Airframe hours: 595 - Engines: Volkswagen Typ 1 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2007 - Departed: Stockbridge, WI - Destination: 79C, Neenah, WI - Airport: runway 36, 1,800 × ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 898 total, 595 in this make and model, 898 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: OSH, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080203844539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080203844539A), Feb 3, 2008: PAUPERII, Stockbridge, WI, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft lost horizontal and vertical directional guidance departing from a frozen lake on an overcast day. Aircraft began a left turn shortly after… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.