- Date
- July 24, 1995, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place
- Hokah, MN
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N642KWK. Davey And B. Davey WAG-AERO
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 19, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950724043539A
- Case key
- 9960
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot performing low altitude flight and the failure to maintain clearance with the trees. A factors associated with the accident was the trees.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was flying low in a valley. He was unable to achieve sufficient altitude to clear trees at the top edge of the valley, which was about 150 feet of elevation change. He stated the air temperature and light breeze created a downdraft at the top of the valley which contributed to the airplane's insufficient climb and airspeed. The pilot also stated that he demonstrated poor judgment to be flying low in a valley.
Factual narrative
On July 24, 1995, at 1330, central daylight time, a Wag-Aero, Sport Trainer, N642KW, sustained substantial damage when it impacted with trees while maneuvering after takeoff from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries to himself and to the passenger. The 14 CFR Part 91 departed LaCrosse, Wisconsin, en route to Caledonia, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated that he was flying low in a valley. He was unable to achieve sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the top edge of the valley which was about a 150 foot elevation change. He stated the air temperature and light breeze created a downdraft at the top of the valley which contributed to the airplane's insufficient climb and airspeed. The pilot also stated that he demonstrated poor judgment to be flying low in a valley.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N642KW
- Reported as
- K. Davey And B. Davey WAG-AERO
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 876
- Airframe hours
- 523
- Engine
- Continental C90-12F, 90 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Kenneth E. Davey
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 30, 1994 · 23 hours before
- Departed
- LSE · Lacrosse, WI
- Destination
- CHU · Caledonia, MN
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 42
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 1,055 total · 97 in this make and model · 15 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.