Piper PA-46 crashes in Wisconsin woods with six fatalities
Six killed in Wisconsin plane crash after pilot reported icing and lost contact.
Event / Disaster
Wisconsin Aircraft Crash
Piper PA-46 aircraft crashes near Dellona, Wisconsin on October 13, 2026, killing all six occupants including one child. The aircraft was en route from Kenosha to Menomonie when the pilot reported icing at 24,000 feet and requested descent. Communications were lost during descent. FAA and NTSB investigation underway.
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2026-10-15 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 15 Oct, 01:07 UTC
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What happened
FAA and NTSB launch investigation into Wisconsin plane crash
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board initiated investigation into the crash. The NTSB is leading the investigation and has dispatched investigators to the scene. The NTSB stated that a preliminary report would be available within 30 days. Investigators are examining communications between the aircraft and air traffic control and whether weather conditions contributed to the accident.
Piper PA-46 aircraft crashes in wooded area near Dellona, Wisconsin, killing all six occupants
A Piper PA-46 fixed-wing aircraft crashed in a densely wooded area near Dellona in Sauk County, Wisconsin, on the evening of October 13, 2026. The aircraft was on a return flight from Kenosha Regional Airport to Menomonie when it went down. All six occupants of the aircraft—five adults and one child—were found dead at the scene. The aircraft was in contact with a nearby air traffic control tower prior to the crash.
Aircraft pilot reported icing at 24,000 feet and requested descent before losing communications
The pilot of the Piper PA-46 reported encountering icing conditions while flying at 24,000 feet and requested to descend. Air traffic control approved the descent request. The aircraft then entered a right descending turn that increased in rate until communications and radar data tracking were lost, indicating a loss of control during the descent.
No damage to structures or ground injuries reported from Wisconsin plane crash
The crash site was located in a densely wooded area remote from inhabited structures. Authorities confirmed that there were no reports of damage to any structures on the ground or injuries to any persons on the ground as a result of the crash.
Wisconsin records second fatal plane crash in 2026
The October 13 crash near Dellona marks Wisconsin's second fatal aviation accident in 2026. The previous fatal crash occurred in July 2017 in Catawba and killed six people. According to National Transportation Safety Board data, fatal plane crashes have occurred every year in Wisconsin since 1967, with 427 fatal crashes documented historically, with the majority being Part 91 private aircraft.
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