Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Pegasus Quantum, N56092: Fatal accident occurred August 08, 2017 near Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport (61C), Jefferson County, Wisconsin

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

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

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


David C. Plambeck: http://registry.faa.gov/N56092

NTSB Identification: CEN17LA307

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, August 08, 2017 in Fort Atkinson, WI
Aircraft: PEGASUS QUANTUM, registration: N56092
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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 August 8, 2017, about 2005 central daylight time, a Pegasus Quantum weight-shift-control aircraft, N56092, impacted a river following a visual approach to the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport (61C), Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot and student pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed 61C about 1930.

According to a flight instructor witness located on the ramp at 61C, the pilot made a solo landing about 1915. After the passenger was loaded, the aircraft departed from runway 21 (paved) and made several approaches to a grass runway parallel to runway 21. During the final approach, the flight instructor stated the aircraft appeared to be flying an unstable approach. He noticed an engine power increase, followed by the aircraft banking to the left. The left bank steepened and the aircraft descended rapidly until impacting a river and submerging.

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Max J. Burlingame, 16, of Fort Atkinson, died in an airplane crash on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017.

Max was born on April 5, 2001, in Fort Atkinson, son of Lloyd and Diane Burlingame.

Max did everything and always helped anyone who was in need, he never had to be asked twice, and he always responded with “I will.” He lived on the edge, loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Max was going to be a junior this year at Fort Atkinson High School and enjoyed playing baseball, lifting and soccer. However his biggest passion was flying. He soloed at 15 and had been in love with aviation since day one. 

Max is survived by his parents, Lloyd and Diane of Fort Atkinson; brothers, Luke and Jack Burlingame; aunts and uncles, Carol (Larry) Combs, Guy (Karen) Burlingame, Ron (Micki) Burlingame, Betty (Jeff) Herdendorf, Nancy (Rob) Sweyer and Charles Hughes, and many cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Dorothy Burlingame, and maternal grandma, Lucille Boorem.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport. Funeral services will begin at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

David C. Plambeck, age 51, of Edgerton, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, from injuries sustained in a plane accident. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 7, 1966, the son of Donald and Dolores (Altmann) Plambeck. He was a 1984 graduate of Ridgewood High School in Norridge, IL and later from Devry Technical Institute. David married Wendy S. Randecker on October 12, 1993, in the Cayman Islands. He worked as a Cellular Technician for Verizon Wireless. He was a member of the Amphicar Car Club of Wisconsin and the Ft. Atkinson Municipal Airport. David was an adventurist: he loved flying, skydiving, boating, scuba diving, snow skiing, motorcycling, snowmobiling, and was a nature lover in general. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Wendy; his mother, Delores Plambeck of Norridge, IL; 2 siblings, Daniel Plambeck of Idaho Falls, ID, and Denise Plambeck of Park Ridge, IL; and his nephew, Nickolas Pratt of Park Ridge, IL. David was preceded in death by his father, Donald.

The family will be hosting a Gathering to Celebrate David’s Life on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Rockdale Airport, 87 Exchange St., Cambridge. In lieu of Flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. The APFEL EHLERT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Edgerton, is assisting the family. Condolences may be made to the family at: www.apfelfuneral.com





JEFFERSON — Analysis of the airplane crash that claimed the lives of two people Tuesday evening likely will take several weeks.

Federal Aviation Administration inspector Mike Pieczynski of the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office is assisting the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office with the crash investigation.

Members of the Jefferson County Dive Team recovered the aircraft from the river Wednesday morning.

Additional details related to any cause of the crash have not been revealed.

David Plambeck, 51, of Edge­r­ton and Max Burlingame, 16, of Fort Atkinson were flying in a Pegasus Quantum aircraft when it crashed into the Rock River east of the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport off County Highway K in the Town of Jefferson at about 8:05 p.m. Tuesday.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene after being pulled unconscious from the water and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Autopsies were conducted Wednesday; however, no final cause of death has been filed by Jefferson County medical examiner Nichol Tesch.

She noted that she still is unable to comment on the cause of death prior to reviewing other agencies’ reports, adding that a final determination could take several weeks.

Plambeck was a seasoned pilot, licensed to fly and inspect small light aircraft. He had flown the aircraft — which resembles an ultralight but is defined by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Bureau as an experimental light sport craft commonly called a “trike” — countless times and was, according to friends, very safety conscious.

According to witnesses, Burlingame, who was set to start his junior year at Fort Atkinson High School, was polishing his father’s plan when Plambeck stopped by and asked if he wanted to go for a ride on his “trike.”

The teen reportedly had a passion for aviation, a trait shared among the family.

His grandfather, George Burlingame, had been a commercial pilot, flying 747s for United Airlines for many years and his father, Lloyd, and his brothers each have their pilot licenses.

Plambeck owned a hangar at Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport and was known by Burlingame and his family. He periodically flew out of a grass strip in Rockdale, as well.

The duo, with Plambeck as the pilot, apparently had taken off from the Fort Atkinson airport and had flown around for a couple of passes over the airport as bystanders watched from outside a hangar while enjoying the pleasant summer evening.

Witnesses of the incident noted that there was no “showboating” going on and that, by all accounts, it was a routine looped flight pattern.

Those at the scene reported that the aircraft was heading smoothly toward the airport when something happened. For unknown reasons on that final pass when it appeared they were attempting to land, the plane crashed into the nearby Rock River just after making an approach at the runway.

It is the second accident and third fatality at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport within a year.

On Aug. 14, 2016, a 63-year-old Janesville pilot died when his ultralight aircraft crashed just south of the airport. He died a day later from injuries, particularly burns, sustained in the crash and subsequent fire.

The incidents are the first such at the Fort Atkinson airport in nearly 50 years.

“From the airport community and families involved, our hearts go out to them,” pilot Chip Day, who was at the airport Tuesday night, said. “This really hurts. These are two great people we really enjoyed being around and, unfortunately, they were taken from us in a tragic accident. We will just have to press on and do the best we can.”

Emergency personnel were dispatched at 8:09 p.m. to reports of a plane crashing into the Rock River near the airport. The Jefferson Fire Department’s boat was deployed on the south side of town at the Tensfeldt Park boat launch.

One of the Jefferson firefighters had driven down Rapids Road off of County Highway N in the Town of Jefferson and commandeered a pontoon boat from resident in that area and started traveling south. In addition, a sheriff’s deputy also commandeered a boat and started en route to the scene.

Meanwhile, three bystanders who had been at the airport rushed into action. Two plunged into the river toward the crashed aircraft. A third called 911 and then observed a kayak at a neighboring home and quickly got it into the water and paddled over.

The first two cut Plambeck and Burlingame from their harnesses in the seats of the aircraft and pulled their unconscious bodies onto the kayak.

A trio of men from a nearby residence arrived on a pontoon boat and took one of the victims to the shoreline to waiting rescue workers. The man in the kayak took the other victim to shore while firefighters arriving in their boat pulled the two other rescuers from the water.

Rescue personnel from Jefferson Fire Department, Jefferson EMS, Fort Atkinson paramedics, Ryan Brothers Ambulance Service, Fort Atkinson Fire Department, Flight for Life and Med-Flight helicopters responded to the scene.

At the time the two were brought to shore, both were unconscious.

With the medical crews from the helicopters, there were two physicians and numerous paramedics and EMTs on the scene who began resuscitation efforts immediately.

According to Jefferson Fire Department officials, the two victims were out of the water within 10 minutes of rescue personnel arriving.

“Everybody did their best, but it wasn’t enough unfortunately,” Day noted.

Burlingame’s funeral services will be held Friday at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. and funeral services will begin at 6 p.m. An obituary appears on page A6.

No details for Plambeck’s services were released by presstime.


http://www.dailyunion.com






JEFFERSON COUNTY -- Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, August 9th identified a 51-year-old man and 16-year-old boy killed when an ultralight plane crashed into the Rock River Tuesday night. They are David Plambeck of Edgerton and Max Burlingame of Fort Atkinson.

The plane was taken out of the water Wednesday morning. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Officials called the aircraft an experimental light sport plane, commonly called a "trike." It went down after departing from Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport.

"Recreational boaters in the area of the crash assisted with retrieving the pilot and the passenger. Life-saving attempts were unsuccessful," said an official with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Dozens of homes line the Rock River. Lisa McBride said she was home with her boyfriend, Craig, and members of his construction crew. They saw the aircraft flying over the water before the crash.

"We heard a bang and thought maybe it was someone pulling out of the bar who got hit by a motorcycle," said McBride.

The sounds of police sirens soon followed. McBride's 14-year-old daughter, Novalee, jumped barefoot on her bike to see what was going on. She spoke to people on the scene, who informed her they needed a boat.

"I biked as fast as I could back home and I told my stepdad and my uncles, 'we gotta go now. Someone needs help,'" Novalee said.

The family said the three men jumped into action and got their pontoon out on the water where other kayakers were also trying to help.

"The guys were able to pull one of the men on the boat, but he was unresponsive and they got him to the dock where police and authorities were all sitting and they got him off," said McBride.

McBride said the other victim was wheeled in on a kayak.

"I know the guys are down. They wish they could've gotten there sooner," said McBride.

McBride said she wonders how far the current would have carried the aircraft if the three men had not responded when they did.

"I'm very proud of my family and what they did," said McBride.

The family hopes the victims' loved ones know the loss of the two men is being felt in the hearts of strangers who did all they could to try and save them.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the sheriff's office and the DNR.


Story and video ➤ http://fox6now.com






FT. ATKINSON (WKOW) – Authorities have identified the two people killed Tuesday when the small aircraft they were in crashed into the Rock River near the Fort Atkinson airport.

David Plambeck, 51, of Edgerton and Max Burlingame, 16, of Fort Atkinson died in the crash, according the the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials say that Plambeck was piloting the aircraft and that Burlingame was a friend of the family.

The aircraft crashed into the river near Ft. Atkinson's municipal airport around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017.

Upon arrival, rescue crews found the aircraft almost completely submerged and discovered the passengers were unconscious. Recreational boaters in the area assisted in getting to the pilot and passenger, according the sheriff's office.

Dive team members removed the ultralight from the river this morning.

Video sent to 27 News by viewer Billy Pitzner shows the rescue. Pitzner tells us his stepfather saw the plane circle the airport and heard the crash. He says they went in their boat and gave firefighters a ride to the crash scene.


Fire officials say MedFlight was on the scene as well as several ambulances. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Fire Department, Ft. Atkinson Police, Ft. Atkinson Fire and EMS along with others all helped.





UPDATE (WKOW) -- Officials have confirmed that two people have died after an ultralight aircraft crashed into the river near Ft. Atkinson's municipal airport around 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, Aug. 8, 2017.

The victims are a 51-year-old male and a 16-year-old male, authorities say. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says the 51-year-old was the pilot and he knew the family of the 16-year-old, who was his passenger.

The aircraft had taken off from the Fort Atkinson airport, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Upon arrival, rescue crews found the aircraft almost completely submerged in the water and discovered the passengers were unconscious. Recreational boaters in the area assisted in getting to the pilot and passenger, according the the sheriff's office.

Officials currently are updating the media. Check back for the latest details

FT. ATKINSON (WKOW) -- Crews removed the ultralight aircraft Wednesday morning after it crashed into the Rock River Tuesday evening.

The ultralight aircraft crashed into the river near Ft. Atkinson's municipal airport around 8:00 p.m. The Jefferson Fire Department tells 27 News two people were on board. They were both rescued and brought to shore, but as of Wednesday morning, there's no word on how they're doing or if they were hurt.

Video sent to 27 News by viewer Billy Pitzner shows the rescue. Pitzner tells us his stepfather saw the plane circle the airport and heard the crash. He says they went in their boat and gave firefighters a ride to the crash scene.

Fire officials say Med Flight was on the scene as well as several ambulances. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Fire Department, Ft. Atkinson Police, Ft. Atkinson Fire and EMS along with others all helped.

Story and video ➤ http://www.wkow.com






JEFFERSON COUNTY, Wis. -- Two people are dead after a plane crashes into the Rock River in Jefferson County Tuesday night. 

A 51-year-old Edgerton man and a 16-year-old boy from the Fort Atkinson area were pronounced dead Wednesday morning by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office.

Chief Deputy Jeffrey Parker, of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, said no information was available yet regarding the relationship between the two passengers. 

The ultralight plane crashed into the river at 8:05 p.m. 

Parker described an ultralight as a lightweight plane with an engine at the rear of the aircraft. 

Parker said the plane took off from the Fort Atkinson Airport. He said he did not know where the aircraft was registered. 

Because the ultralight plane landed in the river for unknown reasons, the FAA has been called to investigate the cause of the crash.

"They'll be coming here to Jefferson County to conduct their portion of the investigation," Parker said.  

Jefferson County's Dive Team, which will remove the boat from the water, could be seen making its way out to the crash site about 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. 

Neighbors in the area said the plane crash left them stunned. 

"That was really crazy to see," said Sheryl Spooner. "It was almost unbelievable." 

Parker said people on a pontoon boat in the area at the time of the crash drove over and pulled the victims from the water. 

However, life-saving measures at the scene were ineffective. 

He added first responders reported other people in the area swimming out to the wreck to try and help the two people on board the plane. 

"In a sense, it's heroic, when you people that come to the aid of others," Parker said. "It's a great sense of pride to have people in your community who will help others when they're in need." 

Emergency officials say the plane was almost completely submerged in the water when they arrived to the scene with the two victims reportedly to be unconscious. Recreational boaters in the area assisted with retrieving the victims but lifesaving attempts were unsuccessful.

Story and video ➤ http://www.tmj4.com





FORT ATKINSON, Wis. — Two people were killed after an ultralight aircraft crashed into the Rock River shortly after takeoff from the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport on Tuesday night.

The plane went down at around 8:00 p.m. along County K in Jefferson County.

First responders and boaters in the area said they found the plane almost completely submerged in the water, a statement from Sheriff Paul Milbrath said.

The two people inside the aircraft, a 51-year-old Edgerton-area man and a 16-year-old boy from the Fort Atkinson area, were found inside. Both were later confirmed dead.

The exact cause of the crash wasn't immediately known. The Wisconsin DNR and the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation.

Story and video ➤ http://www.wisn.com

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