Cessna 172 accident near Marinette, Wisconsin, July 21, 1994
On July 21, 1994 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N1399F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marinette, Wisconsin (Larson Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 1994 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Marinette, Wisconsin · Larson Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N1399F · no longer on the register · serial 172-54894
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS LANDING HIS AIRPLANE AT A RESTRICTED LANDING AREA THAT WAS BOUNDED BY TREES AND HIGH VEGETATION. HE SAID THE WINDS WERE SHIFTING FROM THE EAST TO WEST AT 14 KNOTS GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE PILOT SAID A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRPLANE '... CAUSING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.' THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND AND COLLIDED WITH HIGH VEGETATION LOCATED ABOUT TEN FEET FROM THE RUNWAY'S LEFT EDGE.
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
- Flight time: 1,122 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,060 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,215 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 1993; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-320-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLD Fond Du Lac WI at 5:55 pm
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 18, 2,640 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.