Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Bede BD-4, N311SD: Fatal accident occurred January 04, 2017 at Capitol Airport (02C), Brookfield, Waukesha County, Wisconsin

Dr. Cory Marvin C. Papenfuss 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

 
http://registry.faa.gov/N311SD


Location: Brookfield, WI
Accident Number: CEN17FA067
Date & Time: 01/04/2017, 1208 CST
Registration: N311SD
Aircraft: Demmer BD-4
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On January 4, 2017, about 1208 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built BD-4 airplane, N311SD, sustained substantial damage during a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a parked vehicle while attempting to take off from Capitol Airport (02C), Brookfield, Wisconsin. The private pilot was fatally injured. One passenger received serious injuries; an additional passenger was not injured. The pilot owned and was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed but not opened for the personal flight, which was destined for New River Valley Airport (PSK), Dublin, Virginia. 

The pilot's wife reported that she and her 6-month-old son waited inside airport office while the pilot loaded the bags onto the airplane and conducted a preflight inspection. She then helped the pilot push the airplane out of the hangar. The infant was buckled into a car seat that was secured in the left rear seat, and she sat in the right rear seat with her seat belt on. After the pilot completed his inspection, he boarded the airplane and buckled his seat belt. After engine start, he taxied the airplane to the runway 21 and performed a run-up, checking the flight controls and engine power; there were no anomalies. The wife reported that he properly deflected the ailerons for the wind conditions and applied full engine power while holding the brakes. He then released the brakes and the airplane began its takeoff roll. She could not see over the nose of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, but she felt it depart the ground then quickly settle back onto the runway; she assumed that the pilot was aborting the takeoff. She stated that the airplane became airborne again as the pilot applied more right rudder to maintain the runway centerline. She stated, "I felt us unnaturally veer left and thought 'more right rudder.'" The airplane turned farther left and veered off the runway. She reported that the pilot was "vigorously pumping the rudders back and forth (left and right). It was at this time everything went black." The airplane subsequently impacted a parked sport utility vehicle (SUV), which rolled over onto its side upon impact.

A witness reported that the pilot was in and out of the airport office while preparing for the flight. He stated that the wind condition was "pretty obvious with the wind sock being straight out," but that the pilot did not specifically mention the wind. Although the witness could not see the airplane when it started its takeoff roll, when it came into view, it appeared that the airplane was "having difficulty." The nose was slightly up, the right wing was down, and the tail was "oscillating." He stated that the airplane never got more than 10 ft in the air after it drifted off the runway surface. He watched the airplane for 3 to 5 seconds before it went out of sight; the impact occurred about 2 seconds later.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 41, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No 
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/29/2003
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  1241 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 1190 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

The pilot, age 41, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class airman medical certificate was issued on February 26, 2013, with no restrictions. Review of the pilot's logbook indicated that he had about 1,241 total hours of flight experience, with 50 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot's most recent flight review was conducted on December 12, 2015. 

The pilot and the airplane's co-owner had purchased the airplane in 2015 and started flying it in 2016. The pilot's logbook indicated that he flew 32 flights between April 24, 2016, and November 14, 2016. In the "Remarks, Procedures, Maneuvers" column in the logbook, the pilot mentioned crosswind conditions in 5 of the 32 flights. On May 7, he wrote that he practiced crosswind landings with an instructor pilot. On May 13, he wrote, "MC 1st flight. Takeoff X-W (illegible mark) drift. More cruise test w/pants +10?" On May 20, he wrote, "X-W solo practice (80° off @ 8 kts). On June 22, he mentioned, "Heavy gusting landing – PLOP!" On October 23, he added a remark, "Gusty!"

The pilot made numerous entries in the Remarks section concerning airplane performance, such as cruise airspeed tests, stall speeds with and without flaps, Vx (best angle of climb airspeed), Vy (best rate of climb), maximum rate of climb, and a maximum gross weight test flight. He made no entries concerning the airplane's crosswind limitations or stopping distance. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Demmer
Registration: N311SD
Model/Series: BD-4
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 11361
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/01/2016, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 25 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 586.44 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-A1A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 200 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane, serial number 11361, was manufactured in 2002. It was a tailwheel-equipped, high-wing cantilever monoplane with a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1A reciprocating engine, serial number L-11173-51A. The airplane's last annual condition inspection was completed on September 1, 2016, at a tachometer time of 586.44 hours. The tachometer read 610.99 hours at the accident site. 

The airplane was equipped with four seats and had a maximum gross weight (MGW) of 2,400 lbs. The empty weight was 1,494 lbs with a useful load of 906 lbs. The combined weight of the pilot and passengers was estimated at 361 lbs. Numerous bags were found in the wreckage and their total weight was 187 lbs; the location of the bags in the airplane during the accident flight could not be determined. The airplane held a total of 80 gallons of fuel. A fuel receipt showed that the pilot purchased 25 gallons of fuel at 02C. It was not determined how much fuel was on the airplane during the accident flight; however, in order to remain within the 2,400-lb MGW limitation, the fuel load could not have exceeded 60 gallons. The distance between 02C and PSK was about 500 nautical miles, which would have required about 30 gallons of fuel. 

The pilot made the following aircraft logbook entry on April 23, 2016: 

Completed Phase-1 test flight hours IAW operating limitations dated 11/24/2015. I certify that the prescribed flight test hours have been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: Vso (65mph), Vx (90 mph), and Vy (110 mph), at the weight (2300#), and CG location (89.1")

The BD-4 kit builder's website provided aircraft performance information for a BD-4C airplane, which is a newer kit version than the accident airplane. The performance specifications listed on the website indicated that the landing roll distance was 600 ft. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: UES, 912 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1145 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 220°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2200 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Obscured
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 20 knots / 28 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 280°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -13°C / -18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Brookfield, WI (02C)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Dublin, VA (PSK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1208 CST
Type of Airspace:

At 1145, the surface weather observation at Waukesha County Airport (UES), Waukesha, Wisconsin, located 4 nm southwest of 02C, included wind from 280° at 20 kts gusting to 28 kts; 10 miles visibility; scattered clouds at 2,200 ft above ground level (agl); temperature -13°C; dew point -18°C; altimeter 29.95 inches of mercury.

At 1245, the surface weather observation at UES included wind from 260° at 15 kts gusting to 25 kts; 10 miles visibility; few clouds at 2,200 ft agl; temperature -12°C; dew point -18°C; altimeter 29.94 inches of mercury.

The pilot received a preflight weather briefing at 0915 provided by Lockheed Martin Flight Service (LMFS). During the weather briefing, the pilot and the weather briefer discussed the AIRMET Tango valid at 0915, including all the AIRMETs along the intended route of flight, and that current surface observations near the departure airport were VFR. The weather briefer asked if the pilot would like any Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF), and the accident pilot replied that he had the TAFs. The accident pilot did not request any additional weather information and only requested an abbreviated briefing.

Airport Information

Airport: Capitol Airport (02C)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 850 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3010 ft / 44 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

02C is a privately-owned airport and is open to the public. The airport was equipped with three runways; runway 03/21, runway 09/27, and runway 18/36. Runway 03/21, which measured 3,010 ft by 44 ft with a 172-ft displaced threshold, was the only paved runway, and was intersected by runway 09/27 about 1,200 ft from the displaced threshold.

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.090278, -88.178056

On the day of the accident, FAA inspectors examined the skid marks on the runway, the wheel tracks in the grass between the runway and the taxiway, and the wheel tracks in the grass leading to the aircraft parking ramp where the collision with the vehicle occurred. The total distance from where the skid marks began on the runway to the parked SUV, a Chevrolet Tahoe, was 953 ft. The skid marks were not continuous. About 63 ft of tire skid marks that were veering to the left were found at the intersection of runways 21 and 27. The airplane departed the edge of the runway with no tracks through the snow or grass for about 298 ft on a southerly heading. This was followed by 110 ft of ground movement indicated by tire skid marks on the paved taxiway and tire tracks through the grass. Then there were no tire tracks for 220 ft, and then the tire tracks reappeared and traveled through the grass for 262 ft, to where the airplane impacted the SUV. The impact with the SUV caused it to be displaced about 8 ft and tipped over onto its left side. The airplane's engine, fuselage, and empennage were found on the left side of the SUV. The entire wing separated from the fuselage during impact and came to rest about 91 ft beyond the main wreckage. The SUV was parked in an aircraft tie-down area about 250 ft from the runway 21 centerline.

Examination of the wreckage after it was recovered to a hangar revealed rudder control cable continuity from the rudder pedals to the control surface. The elevator control tube was connected to the elevator bellcrank, but the control tube was fractured and was not connected to the control stick. The fractures were consistent with overload. The aileron control system did not exhibit continuity, but the fractures were consistent with overload failure.

The propeller spinner did not exhibit aft crushing or torque signatures. One of the propeller blades had a leading-edge gouge, span-wise scraping of the cambered surface, and aft bending. The other blade exhibited aft bending but no significant leading-edge nicks or gouges and no chordwise scratching. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The Waukesha County Medical Examiner's Office, Waukesha, Wisconsin, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was multiple injuries.

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot. No carbon monoxide was detected in the blood. The test for cyanide was not performed. No ethanol was detected in the vitreous. Testing detected 1.808 (µg/ml, µg/g) Ketamine in liver and 0.767 (µg/ml, µg/g) in blood (cardiac); Midazolam in blood (cavity) and in the liver; Morphine in the blood (cavity); 0.492 (µg/mL, µg/g) Norketamine in liver and 0.058 (µg/mL, µg/g) in blood (cavity).


Ketamine is an anesthetic, midazolam is a sedating benzodiazepine, and morphine is an opioid pain medication. Review of postaccident treatment records for the pilot revealed that ketamine was administered as part of his initial postaccident medical care. Given that midazolam and morphine are commonly used to sedate patients during medical procedures such as surgery, it is most likely that all of the identified medications were administered during postaccident care.

NTSB Identification: CEN17LA067
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 04, 2017 in Brookfield, WI
Aircraft: Demmer BD-4, registration: N311SD
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On January 4, 2017, about 1208 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Demmer BD-4 airplane, N311SD, sustained substantial damage during takeoff when it veered off the left side of runway 21 (3,010 ft by 44 ft, asphalt) at the Capitol Airport (02C), Brookfield, Wisconsin, and impacted a parked vehicle. The pilot was fatally injured; one passenger received serious injuries; and one passenger was not injured. The pilot owned and operated the airplane under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was departing 02C under visual flight rules (VFR) with New River Valley Airport (PSK), Dublin, Virginia, as the destination. The flight had an instrument flight plan on file, but the pilot had not contacted air traffic control to obtain the clearance.

Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane and the accident site. Their examination revealed skid marks on the runway and in the grass leading to the accident site. The total distance from where the skid marks began on the runway to the parked vehicle was 953 ft. The skid marks indicated that the airplane had become airborne momentarily twice before it traveled through the grass for 262 ft and impacted the parked vehicle. The entire wing separated from the fuselage during impact and came to rest 91 ft beyond the parked vehicle. 

A witness reported that he observed the airplane takeoff and drift downwind (left) of the runway. He saw the airplane became airborne but its altitude was less than 10 ft. He did not observe the crash due to obstacles that limited his view. 

At 1145, the surface weather observation at the Waukesha County Airport (UES), Waukesha, Wisconsin, located 4 nm southwest of 02C was: wind 280 degrees at 20 kts gusting to 28kts; visibility 10 miles; sky condition scattered clouds at 2,200 ft; temperature -13 degrees C; dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 29.95 inches of mercury.



A Virginia Tech researcher has died after he and his family were in a plane crash in Wisconsin this week. 

Cory Papenfuss of Dublin died from injuries sustained during a plane crash in Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Jan. 4, according to a university press release.

The City of Brookfield Police Department responded to the crash at Capitol Airport about noon that day and found the 41-year-old pilot and his 37-year-old wife, Carmen Papenfuss, seriously injured, according to a press release from the department. Their 5-month-old son was found with less severe injuries.

The single-engine plane crashed into an unoccupied SUV parked in the grass east of the runway during takeoff. The adults were taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and the child to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, also in Milwaukee.

An administration official with Froedtert Hospital declined to comment on Carmen Papenfuss’ condition on Saturday.

According to a website set up as a fundraiser for the family, the mother is in critical condition with serious injuries, but is conscious and stable, while the son, Ben, suffered two broken legs in the incident, but is otherwise fine.

Cory Papenfuss had been employed by Tech since 2006, where his work in the vibrations and acoustics lab was based on passive and active noise and vibration control applications that included commercial aircraft, military diesel generators, and prenatal hospital incubators, according to the university.

The family was attempting to return to Virginia after visiting extended family in Wisconsin at the time of the crash.

As of Saturday the fundraiser had already topped its goal of $5,000, reaching $5,490.

Source:  http://www.roanoke.com


Cory Papenfuss





BROOKFIELD, Wis. —  The pilot of a small plane that crashed into an SUV at Brookfield's Capitol Airport at midday Wednesday died several hours later, a hospital spokesperson said.

Dr. Cory Papenfuss, 41, was a research scientist at Virginia Tech. A colleague who asked not to be identified said Papenfuss was well-liked and very well respected in his field.

Papenfuss' wife and small child survived the 12:08 p.m. Wednesday crash, though the 37-year-old woman was said to be in critical condition at Froedtert Hospital. Their 6-month-old son was not injured but was taken to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as a precaution, Brookfield Capt. Phil Horter told reporters about an hour after the incident.

Flight for Life transported at least one of the people, but Horter couldn't identify who it was.

The cause of the crash is still unknown, but wind speed and direction may have played a role.

"There's got to be some extenuating circumstances that would cause that problem today I would say," said pilot David Mann, who was out flying Wednesday in another plane that's a little larger than the one that crashed.

"I flew a light twin from here up to Waukesha just this afternoon, and it was quite bumpy out," Mann said. "You had to be careful, but I don't think it was too windy to fly."

Wind speeds at Mitchell International Airport and Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport exceeded 20 mph shortly before noon. A gust at Mitchell at 11:52 a.m. reached 29 mph.

No one was in the SUV that was struck by the plane, Horter said. A trailer attached to the SUV has a "Bad News Racing Team" logo on the side.

The airport at is 21500 Gumina Road in Pewaukee. Several dozen aircraft use the airport each day.

The FAA and NTSB are now investigating the crash. 


Story and video:   http://www.wisn.com



UPDATE: The pilot of the plane that crashed Wednesday afternoon in Brookfield has passed away.

Froedtert Hospital says he passed away Wednesday evening at the hospital. His wife remains hospitalized in critical condition. 

The couple’s son was treated at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and is in good condition.

The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time. 

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-- A small plane crash injured two adults with an infant on board at the Capitol Airport in Brookfield Wednesday.

Around noon Wednesday, police said a single engine airplane was attempting to take off when it ran off the runway. The plane crashed into a parked SUV with an attached trailer.

"The airplane itself appears to have significant damage," said Capt. Phil Horter with the Brookfield Police Department.

Police and fire crews arrived on scene to find three occupants of the mangled plane, a Virginia family that was in town visiting for the holidays.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and his 37-year-old wife were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

"I believe all of the patients were conscious,” said Horter.

Police say their 6-month-old baby was in the back of the plane in a child seat.

"The infant did not appear to be injured at all, but was taken to the hospital to be checked out," said Horter.

Horter said some of the victims were taken to the hospital by Flight for Life, others were taken by ambulance.

Chris Adams owns a small business across the street from the airport. He came back from lunch to a flood of police, fire crews and first responders covering the rural airport's property.

"Coming back from lunch it was really, really windy so I imagine that doesn’t help when you’re in a small experimental type of aircraft," he said.

Police said the cause of the crash is unknown at this time, however preliminary stages of the investigation are underway.

"I just hope everyone is OK I mean that’s obviously the first priority especially the infant and the family up there," said Adams.

Brookfield investigators reconstructed the crash Wednesday afternoon. The FAA will conduct its own investigation. 


Story and video:   http://www.tmj4.com



Two people were seriously injured in the crash of a small plane at the Capitol Drive Airport in Brookfield.

Emergency crews responded to the scene at approximately noon Wednesday, Jan. 4.

There were three passengers from Virginia aboard the single-engine aircraft — a woman, her husband and their infant son, according to a news release from City of Brookfield Police Capt. Phil Horter.

The 41-year-old man — the plane's pilot — and his 37-year-old wife were seriously injured in the crash, Horter said. Their son, approximately 6 months old, was in a child seat in the back seat with his mother and did not appear to have any obvious injuries.

Horter said the family had been in Waukesha County visiting family and were on their way back to Virginia after the holidays. The man and his wife were transported to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa and the infant was taken to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa to be checked out.

Spokespeople for Froedtert and Children's Hospital declined to release any information regarding the names or the conditions of those involved in the crash.

Horter said the airplane crashed during takeoff, going off the east side of the runway and crashing into a parked SUV with a trailer attached. No one was in the vehicle, Horter said.

There did not appear to be any fire in the plane or the vehicle, but the plane did appear to have significant damage.

The initial investigation into the accident was conducted by the City of Brookfield Crash Reconstruction Team, Horter said, but has since been turned over to the FAA, which will be working with the National Transportation Safety Board.

The airport will be closed for 24 hours but the roads and traffic in the area will not be impacted, Horter said.

Story and video:  http://www.brookfield-elmgrovenow.com



BROOKFIELD -- A pilot and his wife were seriously hurt when a plane crashed while attempting to take off from Capitol Airport in Brookfield Wednesday, January 4th. Miraculously, their six-month-old child is OK.

It happened around noon at the airport on Gumina Road.

According to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, while attempting take off from the airport, the single-engine plane ran off the runway, and crashed into a parked blue SUV that had a trailer attached to it.

The plane crashed to the east of the paved north-south runway, approximately mid-field.

There was no one in the parked SUV -- but there were three people in the plane.

"A husband and wife, approximately in their 30s, and they also had a small infant in the airplane with them -- approximately six to 12 months old," Brookfield Police Captain Phil Horter said.

Miraculously, the pilot -- a 41-year-old man from Virginia, his 37-year-old wife and the six-month-old baby boy were alive and conscious when first responders arrived. Officials said the baby didn't appear to be hurt. He was in the back seat with his mother -- in a child seat. The pilot and his wife were seriously hurt.

The two adults were transported to Froedtert Hospital, the child to Children's Hospital -- all were transported by Flight for Life or by the City of Brookfield Fire Department.

Police have not identified the family involved in the crash. Police said the pilot has family living in Waukesha County and had been in town visiting. They were headed back to Virginia after the holidays when this crash happened.

Chris Adams works at CCA Computers across the street from where this happened.

"As soon as we got here, we noticed Flight for Life was here already," Adams said.

Captain Horter said by no means is Capitol Airport a busy airport -- especially this time of the year.

"Certainly during the winter, it`s unusual to see planes going in and out of here in the winter," Captain Horter said.

The City of Brookfield Police Department has turned this investigation over to the FAA and NTSB.

Authorities say the airport is expected be closed for approximately 24 hours.

Story and video:   http://fox6now.com



A Virginia couple and their infant son were injured after their plane crashed while taking off at Capitol Drive Airport in Brookfield during the noon hour Wednesday.

Brookfield police said the single-engine plane may have been caught in crosswinds while taking off, causing it to crash midway along the airport's only paved runway, on the east side of the airfield. Strong westerly winds of 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots, were recorded at the airport, which has no flight control tower, at the time of the crash.

The pilot, a 41-year-old Virginia man, and his 37-year-old wife were seriously injured in the crash, City of Brookfield Police Capt. J. Philip Horter said in a release. The baby, who is approximately 6 months old, did not appear to have any obvious injuries but was taken to Children's Hospital by ambulance as a precaution, police said.

Flight for Life took the adults to Froedtert Hospital.

The mother was sitting in the plane's back seat with her son, who was restrained in a child seat.

The wings broke off the plane, which was laying in pieces Wednesday afternoon as investigators from the Brookfield's crash reconstruction team worked to learn what happened. The plane struck a vehicle towing a trailer that was parked in the grass at the side of the runway at the airport, 21500 Gumina Road. No one was inside the vehicle.

The couple was visiting family in Waukesha County for the holidays and flew out of the airport to travel home to Virginia.

The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA.

Capitol Drive airport will be closed for at least 24 hours, police said.

Source:   http://www.jsonline.com




BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Three people were on board a small plane that crashed into a vehicle parked near a runway shortly after takeoff at Capitol Airport on Wednesday.

All three -- a male pilot, his wife and a small child -- survived the crash, Brookfield Capt. Phil Horter told reporters about an hour after the 12:08 p.m. crash.

The 6-month-old boy was not injured but was taken to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to be checked out, Horter said. The pilot, 41, and his wife, 37, were both injured and taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.

The family lives in Virginia but has family in Waukesha, an official said.

Flight for Life transported at least one of the people, but Horter couldn't identify who it was.

Wind speeds at Mitchell International Airport and Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport exceeded 20 mph shortly before noon. A gust at Mitchell at 11:52 a.m. reached 29 mph.

No one was in the SUV that was struck by the plane, Horter said. A trailer attached to the SUV has a "Bad News Racing Team" logo on the side.

The airport at is 21500 Gumina Road in Pewaukee. Several dozen aircraft use the airport each day.

Source:  http://www.wisn.com



(BROOKFIELD, Wis.) — Three people, including an infant, survived after a small plane crashed into a parked car near an airport runway in Wisconsin, according to authorities.

A male survivor suffered the most serious injuries, according to the Brookfield Police Department. The extent of his injuries was not known.

The man’s wife was not as seriously injured, and the infant did not appear to be injured, police said. All three passengers were conscious when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

The man and his wife were taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, while the infant was taken to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to be checked out as a precaution, police said.

The three were from out of state, according to police.

The single-engine plane had departed from Capitol Airport when it lost altitude, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson. It is not clear where the plane was traveling to.

It is not clear whether the plane struck something before it crashed into the parked car, police said. No one was in the vehicle when the plane crashed into it.

Both the plane and vehicle suffered significant damage, according to police.

The FAA is investigating the crash. The airport will be closed for the next 24 hours.

The plane and vehicle each suffered significant damage according to authorities.

Source:  http://www.wwgp1050.com




BROOKFIELD, Wis.-- A small plane crash injured two adults with an infant on board at the Capitol Airport in Brookfield Wednesday.

Around noon Wednesday, police said a single engine airplane was attempting to take off when it ran off the runway. The plane crashed into a parked SUV with an attached trailer.

"The airplane itself appears to have significant damage," said Capt. Phil Horter with the Brookfield Police Department.

Police and fire crews arrived on scene to find three occupants of the mangled plane, a Virginia family that was in town visiting for the holidays.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and his 37-year-old wife were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

"I believe all of the patients were conscious,” said Horter.

Police say their 6-month-old baby was in the back of the plane in a child seat.

"The infant did not appear to be injured at all, but was taken to the hospital to be checked out," said Horter.

Horter said some of the victims were taken to the hospital by Flight for Life, others were taken by ambulance.

Chris Adams owns a small business across the street from the airport. He came back from lunch to a flood of police, fire crews and first responders covering the rural airport's property.

"Coming back from lunch it was really, really windy so I imagine that doesn’t help when you’re in a small experimental type of aircraft," he said.

Police said the cause of the crash is unknown at this time, however preliminary stages of the investigation are underway.

"I just hope everyone is OK I mean that’s obviously the first priority especially the infant and the family up there," said Adams.

Brookfield investigators reconstructed the crash Wednesday afternoon. The FAA will conduct its own investigation. 

Story and video:  http://www.tmj4.com









BROOKFIELD, Wis. (AP) -   Police say three people on board a small plane have been injured when the aircraft crashed into an SUV and trailer as it tried to take off from a suburban Milwaukee airport.

Aerial video shows the plane was destroyed when it hit the SUV around noon Wednesday at Capitol Airport in Brookfield. Authorities say no one was in the SUV when it was struck.

Police say the three injured people were rushed to a hospital. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Story and video:   http://www.nbc26.com

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