Commander Aircraft CO 114TC accident near Woodruff, Wisconsin, May 23, 2026
On May 23, 2026 at about 8:10 pm local time, a 1999 Commander Aircraft CO 114TC, registered N114DP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Woodruff, Wisconsin (Lakeland/Noble F Lee Meml Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the go-around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 2026 · about 8:10 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Woodruff, Wisconsin · Lakeland/Noble F Lee Meml Fld · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Commander Aircraft CO 114TC, built 1999 · all 114TCs on the register
- Registration
- N114DP · registry record · serial 20027
- 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 he executed a crosswind landing, crossing the runway threshold at an indicated airspeed of 95 knots. The airplane’s main landing gear touched down at the 1,000 ft runway marker. During the landing roll, the pilot observed that the airspeed was increasing, and he realized the crosswind had shifted to a tailwind. He initiated a go-around because he believed that there was not enough useable runway to stop the airplane. The pilot stated that he attempted a soft-field performance takeoff during the go-around. However, the airplane was unable to climb out of ground effect and the airplane sank. The main landing gear impacted terrain beyond the runway surface and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The reported wind at the time of the accident was 180 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The crosswind component was between 10.8 and 14.7 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
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 takeoff defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,682 hours in all; 860 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 2,415 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 4, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,486 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 3,305 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 AG1A (piston); 1,486 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PWK Prospect Heights IL at 6:36 pm
- Destination: ARV Woodruff WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10/2, 3,602 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KARV
Weather report (METAR): METAR KARV 232115Z AUTO 18011G15KT 10SM OVC041 19/10 A2995 RMK AO2 T01920101=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on September 17, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N114DP on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Commander Aircraft Co 114 103 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 AG1A 1 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Lakeland/Noble F Lee Memorial Field · nearest airport
- Chicago Executive · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Wisconsin 1,622 since 1982 · 226 in the last ten years
- Wisconsin 6,162 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN26LA198.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.