Piper PA-28R-201 accident near Webb Lake, Wisconsin, February 15, 2001
On February 15, 2001 at about 3:02 am local time, a Piper PA-28R-201, registered N120CC, was destroyed in an accident near Webb Lake, Wisconsin (Voyager Village Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during takeoff. Factors were the trees, transmission wire, and the dark night.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 15, 2001 · about 3:02 am local time
- Place
- Webb Lake, Wisconsin · Voyager Village Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-201 · all PA-28R-201s on the register
- Registration
- N120CC · registry record · serial 28R-7737057
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was destroyed on impact with trees, power lines, and terrain during takeoff. The pilot, student pilot rated passenger, and two other passengers were fatally injured. The pilot of the airplane that departed before the accident airplane stated that on his takeoff he "bent forward as his window partially fogged. He used his landing light to align with the runway centerline and maintain runway heading until he gained visual cues." A witness stated, "I ... saw the second plane taking off in the same direction. I noted that it was not very high off the ground. I saw its red and green lights but its headlight or landing light was not visible. ... A few seconds later, I heard what sounded like a crash or an explosion and the lights went out in the house." Another witness stated that "there was a flash of light and he looked out to see a fire in front of his house and in the street. He said that there were tiny fires through out the area and the fires went out quickly. He said it was a cloudy night and very dark. ... He said the airplane noise was coming from a different direction then he usually hears." The pilot stated that he "saw one side of runway lights on the way in and did not notice runway lights on takeoff." An on-scene investigation found no anomalies. Continuity was established to the flight controls. Engine control continuity was established. The engine produced a thumb compression at all cylinders. The left magneto produced spark at all leads. Fuel was found in the fuel selector valve. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise abrasions. A power line was found with a missing section. The operator's safety recommendation stated, "The pilot of the other aircraft that departed just prior said 'We should have departed to the south. The wind was calm. But there are more lights, from a beacon, buildings, few houses etc. Simply more to reference ... the [horizon.']" The weather was: Wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -20 degrees C; dew point -21 degrees C; altimeter 30.11 in Hg.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 441 hours in all
- Last flight review: November 5, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 53 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,549.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 16, 2001; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Y05 Webster WI at 3:02 am
- Destination: 21D St Paul MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 3,500 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: -4°F (-20°C), dew point -6°F (-21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 3:03 am from RPD, 36 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N120CC 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.