Aviat A-1B accident near Minocqua, Wisconsin, August 26, 2006
On August 26, 2006 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Aviat A-1B, registered N314MA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Minocqua, Wisconsin. 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 inadvertent collision with power lines. A factor associated with the accident was the water which blended in with the power lines resulting in the pilot's inability to see them prior to contact.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2006 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Minocqua, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat A-1B
- Registration
- N314MA · no longer on the register · serial 2179
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amphibious airplane collided with power lines while on final approach to land on a lake. The pilot reported that he flew upwind over the lake at an altitude of 500 feet above the water to look for boats and obstructions. Not seeing any, he entered a traffic pattern to land. He reported that he was on final approach, slightly below tree top level, when the airplane contacted the power line. The pilot reported that he instantly applied full power and back elevator trying to keep the airplane level. He reported the airplane "pancaked" into the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury. Inspection of the landing site revealed the poles which supported the power lines were located in wooded areas on both sides of the water and the color of the power line blended with the water. The pilot reported that residents who live on the lake informed him that the power lines were marked with orange balls until the lines were replaced a couple years ago at which time the balls were removed.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,967 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 57 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 6,967 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Lac Du Flambeau WI at 9:00 pm
- Destination: Minocqua WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.