Cessna 120, N90129: Accident occurred January 18, 2022 at Sylvania Airport (C89) Sturtevant, Racine County, Wisconsin

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. 

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N90129

Location: Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Accident Number: CEN22LA103

Date and Time: January 18, 2022, 11:00 Local

Registration: N90129

Aircraft: Cessna 120

Injuries: 1 Serious

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 18, 2022, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 120 airplane, N90129, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sturtevant, Wisconsin. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Security camera footage was obtained from the Sylvania Airport (C89), Sturtevant, Wisconsin. A preliminary review of the footage showed the airplane was attempting to depart to the east, using runway 08R. The takeoff roll was initiated and about a quarter way down the length of the runway, the airplane departed the runway to the left (north) for undetermined reasons. The footage showed the airplane travel over a flat grass field with the engine running. The footage did not show the airplane become airborne at any time, and the tailwheel appeared to remain on the ground during the runway excursion. The airplane came to rest after it impacted the cabin of a parked fuel truck.

There were no ground injuries nor did a fire occur. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, the left-wing lift struts, and the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for a future examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna

Registration: N90129

Model/Series: 120

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KENW,743 ft msl 

Observation Time: 10:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C /-7°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 9000 ft AGL 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 160°

Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Sturtevant, WI

Destination: Sturtevant, WI

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Serious

Latitude, Longitude: 42.703127,-87.958972 (est)