Beech A36 accident near Kansasville, Wisconsin, September 9, 2012
On September 9, 2012 at about 4:52 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N3224G, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Kansasville, Wisconsin (Kenosha Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
In-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the pilot and testing of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have led to the loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 2012 · about 4:52 pm local time
- Place
- Kansasville, Wisconsin · Kenosha Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N3224G · no longer on the register · serial E-2924
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was established in cruise flight at 6,000 feet mean sea level on a north-northwest course. Communications between air traffic controllers and the pilot were routine. The pilot did not advise the controllers of any difficulties or anomalies nor did he issue any distress call. About 30 seconds before the accident, the airplane entered a descent that continued until impact. A witness observed the airplane on its north-northwest course before it "tipped forward" and descended into the ground. The airplane appeared to be intact at the time, and she did not recall seeing any flames or smoke before impact. The main wreckage site was about 50 feet in diameter, with debris extending to about 200 feet. The airplane was fragmented; however, portions of both wings, the empennage, and all flight controls were located at the accident site. The postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The relatively concentrated distribution of the wreckage was not consistent with an in-flight break up. Additionally, the existence of day visual meteorological conditions with clear skies precluded the possibility of spatial disorientation. Toxicology testing noted the presence of ethanol; however, it could not be determined if it was as a result of postmortem production or ingestion. Regardless, the ethanol level noted was not impairing and did not pose a significant hazard to flight safety. A review of the pilot’s Federal Aviation Administration medical file, toxicology testing, and autopsy did not provide evidence of acute medical incapacitation, but the latter were significantly limited by the degree of injury. Considering the abrupt departure from cruise flight and the uninterrupted descent to impact, the possibility of an acute medical problem could not be ruled out.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,429 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,712 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2012
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-B/BP (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PWK Wheeling IL at 5:36 pm
- Destination: ARV Minocqua WI
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from ENW, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.