# NTSB CHI95LA141: Sorrel SNS-4, N2026, Menomonee Falls, WI, May 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1995, 12:14 local (17:14 UTC) - Place: Menomonee Falls, WI - Coordinates: 44.880649, -91.909469 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8806&lon=-91.9095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9881/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA141 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with transmission wires. A factor in the accident was the transmission wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TRANSMISSION LINES AND THEN LANDED. WHILE LANDING THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1995, at 1214 central daylight time, an experimental Sorrel, N2026, was substantially damaged when it collided with transmission lines after taking off from Aero Park Airport, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. According to the pilot, he performed a normal preflight in preparation for the local pleasure flight. The pilot stated he then taxied to the end of runway 05 (1250' x 110') at Aero Park and began his takeoff roll. The pilot stated the ground roll was normal and the airplane lifted off mid-field. While climbing the airplane struck transmission lines which are located approximately a 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The pilot made a forced landing. While landing the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated "everything seemed fine except for the [airplane's] climb rate." The pilot stated "...the engine instruments were in the green." He stated that he did have the flaps extended to their normal extension of 5-10 degrees on takeoff. The pilot stated he had full fuel aboard and a weight and balance calculation done prior to the flight indicated the weight to be 100 pounds under the airplane's gross weight. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2026](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2026-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 202, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SORREL SNS-4 - Registry model: [Sorrell SNS IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/sorrell-sns-iv) (registry code 05611DR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 202 - Airframe hours: 49 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 76C - Airport: 76C, Aero Park, runway 5, 1,250 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,301 total, 49 in this make and model, 1,169 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 19950501014709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950501014709A), May 1, 1995: Amtr SNS4, Menomonee Falls, WI, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines on takeoff. Nosed over landing. (-23) no narrative. 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.