Amateur-built TIGER MOTH R80 accident near New Franken, Wisconsin, August 24, 2013
On August 24, 2013 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built TIGER MOTH R80, registered N927TM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near New Franken, Wisconsin (Nicolet airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2013 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- New Franken, Wisconsin · Nicolet · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TIGER MOTH R80
- Registration
- N927TM · registry record · serial TM19
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that a new engine had been installed on the amateur-built airplane in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and that an engine test run and taxi tests were performed. The airplane was serviced with fuel before its first local flight following the new engine installation. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane lost engine power at 200 feet above ground level. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the landing gear separated from the airplane, and the airplane sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage. The local temperature and dew point were favorable for serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the engine was operating at a high power setting. A postaccident examination revealed that the fuel filters were clean. An examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 51 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 24, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotec 2800 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 88WI Green Bay WI at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 88WI Green Bay WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KGRB, 12 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.