Mooney M20C accident near Richland Center, Wisconsin, March 10, 1994
On March 10, 1994 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Mooney M20C, registered N6811N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Richland Center, Wisconsin (Richland Center airport). It was a business 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
improper use of carburetor heat. Factors related to the accident were carburetor icing conditions, and the sign and fence poles.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 10, 1994 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Richland Center, Wisconsin · Richland Center · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C · all M20Cs on the register
- Registration
- N6811N · registry record · serial 680109
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE WAS GIVEN INFORMATION REGARDING A NEAR-BY AIRPORT BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED SIGN POSTS, FENCE POSTS, AND A DITCH DURING THE LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING ICE PELLETS AND PICKING UP RIME ICE DURING THE FLIGHT. THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT WERE 35 DEGREES F. AND 21 DEGREES F. RESPECTIVELY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATE THESE CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE CARBURETOR ICE AT GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 697 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 587 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MKE Milwaukee WI at 6:37 pm
- Destination: D97 St. Paul MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,900 ft; scat at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from MSN, 40 miles away
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.