# NTSB CHI94LA216: Cessna 172B, N7472X, Shiocton, WI, July 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1994, 11:19 local (16:19 UTC)
- Place: Shiocton, WI
- Coordinates: 44.440963, -88.570671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4410&lon=-88.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA216

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain Vso during takeoff.  Factors related to the accident was the disregard for performance data and trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 36 (2,240' X 100') BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET AIRBORNE.  HE THEN ELECTED TO TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 27 (1,350' X 90', GRASS).  THE PILOT REPORTED LOCAL WINDS FROM THE WEST AT 23 KNOTS.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED INTO A WOODED AREA JUST WEST OF THE AIRSTRIP AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH FOUR OCCUPANTS AND 1/2 FULL FUEL TANKS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1994, at 1119 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7472X, registered to Dale L. Storm of Black Creek, Wisconsin, collided with trees and the terrain during initial takeoff climb from runway 27 (1,350' x 90', grass) at the Shiocton Airstrip, Shiocton, Wisconsin.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed.  The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured.  A third passenger received minor injuries.  The airplane was destroyed by impact and post crash fire.  The flight was departing for La Crosse, Wisconsin, when the accident occurred.

The pilot stated, the winds were westerly at approximately 23 knots and the takeoff was normal.  He reported that as he neared the wooded area west of the airport "...it seemed as if the wind stopped.  I had no lift, airspeed started to drop."  He stated he lowered the nose to increase airspeed but that the "winds were pushing down on plane."  The airplane crashed in the wooded area and was destroyed by fire.  The pilot stated he made the takeoff using 10 degrees of flaps and that the stall warning horn sounded prior to impacting the trees.

Two witnesses reported seeing the airplane take off "slowly" and it was "slow getting up in the air."  One of the passengers stated the pilot initially attempted to take off on runway 36 (2,240' x 100') but was unable to get airborne.  The pilot then elected to take off on runway 27.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7472X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7472X-1995-09-12), registration cancelled 1995-09-12, S/N 17247972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247972
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale L. Storm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1993, 20 hours before
- Departed: W34
- Destination: LSE, LA CROSSE, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W34, Shiocton, runway 27, 1,350 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 230 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATW, 14 nm away

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.