Pilot 'Pitched Up The Airplane To Avoid Two Rows Of Trees And Impacted A Third Row Of Trees'

Location: Burlington, WI Accident Number: CEN20LA329
Date & Time: 08/09/2020, 1430 CDT Registration: N6849B
Aircraft: Piper PA22 Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 9, 2020, about 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 airplane, N6849B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Burlington, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to law enforcement personnel who spoke to the pilot after the accident, the pilot reported that the engine was not developing the RPMs he expected during the takeoff, which resulted in a reduced rate of climb. During the attempted initial climb, the pilot performed various pitch maneuvers to gain airspeed and lift. About 1 mile from the departure airport and unable to gain altitude, he pitched up the airplane to avoid two rows of trees and impacted a third row of trees. The airplane nosed down and impacted the terrain.

According to witnesses and a surveillance video at the Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU), Burlington, Wisconsin, the airplane departed the turf runway 19. The airplane appeared to have a gradual takeoff climb to about 30 to 35 ft above ground level. The airplane continued at that altitude before it disappeared from the witnesses view behind some trees south of BUU.

The airplane impacted the tops of trees about 1 mile south of BUU and came to rest inverted in a residential yard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov