Cessna 172M accident near Rio Creek, Wisconsin, June 24, 2007
On June 24, 2007 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N4422R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rio Creek, Wisconsin (Walter'S Agri-Center airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper aircraft weight and balance, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during takeoff-initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2007 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Rio Creek, Wisconsin · Walter'S Agri-Center
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N4422R · registry record · serial 17263168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted terrain following a loss of control during initial climb when, according to the pilot, the airplane engine had a total loss of engine power. One witness stated that the airplane stalled while climbing over trees, while another stated that he did not hear the engine stop. The airplane was about 243 pounds over its gross takeoff weight. The pilot stated that he thought he calculated a weight and balance for the flight which he thought were within limits. Examination of the airplane revealed that both propeller blade tips were missing, having fracture surfaces consistent with rotational overload separation. There was also a propeller slash mark that preceded the wreckage, which, in conjunction with the propeller tips separation, is indicative of significant propeller rotation/engine power at impact. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
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 multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 517 hours in all; 484 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 429 as pilot in command; 12 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,832 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WI28 Rio Creek WI at 4:45 pm
- Destination: KROS Rush City MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from SUE, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.