Piper PA-24-250 accident near Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, August 2, 1997
On August 2, 1997 at about 8:35 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-250, registered N720MB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin (Fond Du Lac County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper use of the throttle control friction lock, and his inadequate remedial action. Related factors were his lack of experience in type of aircraft, the pilot's habit interference, and the presence of parked (standing) aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1997 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin · Fond Du Lac County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · all PA-24-250s on the register
- Registration
- N720MB · no longer on the register · serial 24-1284
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot started taxiing before takeoff, he used heavy throttle application to get the airplane to move up an incline, from where the airplane had been parked, to reach a taxiway. When the airplane reached the top of the incline, the nosewheel bounced, and the pilot lost control. The airplane continued moving and impacted five stationary airplanes before coming to a stop. Subsequent to the accident, the throttle, brakes, magneto switch, and mixture were checked, and all were found to operate normally. The throttle was a vernier type, and the brakes were of the hand brake type. Until operating this airplane, the pilot had been operating airplanes with a friction lock type throttle and toe brakes. He had 16 hours total time in the accident airplane with about 6 hours solo.
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: 173 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 173 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,222 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 1996; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KOS, 15 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.