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Accidents · NTSB CEN22LA103 · Final report

Cessna 120 accident near Sturtevant, Wisconsin, January 18, 2022

On January 18, 2022 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1946 Cessna 120, registered N90129, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sturtevant, Wisconsin (Sylvania airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
January 18, 2022 · about 5:00 pm local time
Place
Sturtevant, Wisconsin · Sylvania · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 120 NO SERIES, built 1946 · all 120s on the register
Registration
N90129 · no longer on the register · serial 9190
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

A review airport security camera footage showed the airplane was attempting to depart to the east. About a quarter way down the length of the runway after the beginning of the takeoff roll, the airplane departed the runway to the left (north). Airport security video 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 an unoccupied, parked fuel truck. The pilot reported he recalled taxiing for takeoff and applying engine power for the takeoff; however, he was unable to recall any additional events. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies. The postaccident emergency care did not identify any medical conditions the pilot had that might have contributed to the accident. The pilot’s pre-accident use of atorvastatin, famotidine, and fexofenadine, all non-impairing medications identified by toxicology testing of the pilot’s samples, also did not contribute to the circumstances of this accident. It is likely a loss of control occurred during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with an object. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

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

  1. Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
  2. Unknown or undetermined during takeoff
  3. Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff

The NTSB's findings

  • Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
  • Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 2,483 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: serious injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 4,733 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 2021
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental Motors C-85-12F (piston); 2,216 hours total

The flight

  • Destination: 57C East Troy WI
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 08R, 2,272 ft by 38 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 160° at 10 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 ft
  • Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
  • Observation at 10:53 am from KENW, 7 miles away

Weather report (METAR): KENW 181653Z 16010KT 10SM FEW090 01/M07 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP122 T00111072

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2023. 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.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

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.