Wisconsin Plane Crash Leaves 2 Dead

August 5, 2011

An ultra-light plane crashed in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on Thursday, August 4, killing two men.

Channel3000.com reports that the victims include the 64-year-old pilot (a Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, resident) and his 81-year-old father-in-law (from Tucson, Arizona). Both men died on an impact when the plane — an Ultra-Light Challenger II model built from a kit — nosedived into a metal barn shortly after taking off from Reedsburg Municipal Airport.

"The crash site was very close to the airport,” said Reedsburg Police Chief Tim Becker. “They hadn't been in the air very long,"

It is believed that mechanical failure is to blame for the crash, which is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Reedsburg Police Department. The crash occurred around 11:15 a.m.

A witness told the Baraboo News Republic that the plane’s troubles could be seen from the ground.

"It looked like it was trying to get up and it was wobbling like it wasn't sure of itself and then we heard the bang," said Brittani Pitt.

There was no fire after the plane crash, and when witnesses located the plane on the ground they found both men already dead.

Do you think  it should be illegal to build planes from kits? Is there a better way to regulate the safety of these types of planes?

If you or someone you know has had their safety compromised on a commercial or private aircraft, the aviation lawyers at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy can help.

Photo courtesy of Baraboo News Republic

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