Piper PA22 accident near Burlington, Wisconsin, August 9, 2020
On August 9, 2020 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Piper PA22, registered N6849B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Burlington, Wisconsin. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground, which resulted in reduced climb capability and impact with trees during the initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2020 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Burlington, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 150 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N6849B · registry record · serial 22-4148
- 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 the engine was not developing the expected rpm during the takeoff and initial climb. He noticed the airplane was not climbing well and could have trouble clearing small trees near the end of the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane through a low spot in the trees after he realized he did not have sufficient runway remaining to land. The pilot attempted to gain altitude and airspeed but only gained minimal altitude. The pilot considered applying carburetor heat but realized it would guarantee a loss of engine power with another line of trees ahead of the airplane. The pilot cleared the line of trees, but then impacted the next line of trees. The airplane nosed down, impacted the terrain, and came to rest inverted in a residential yard. The pilot speculated the reduced engine power was due to carburetor ice. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Weather conditions reported at the time of the accident were conducive for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. The pilot reported that during the takeoff and initial climb, the carburetor heat was off. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during taxi and run-up before the takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and reduced takeoff performance.
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
- Fuel related during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Roll over during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 952 hours in all; 371 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Burlington WI
- Destination: Burlington WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from BUU, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on October 9, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Narrative | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Ice Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N6849B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.