Icing blamed in Wisconsin plane crash that killed six
A Piper PA-46 Malibu carrying six people crashed in Wisconsin after the pilot reported icing on the wings at 7,315 metres.
The single-engine plane was flying from Kenosha to Menomonie when ice began building on the wings during a thunderstorm. The pilot asked air traffic control for permission to descend, which was approved.
The plane then entered a descending turn that kept increasing in rate until communications and tracking were lost. An aviation safety expert said the crash has "all the earmarks of an icing-related loss of control".
Ice buildup on wings is a major hazard because even a thin layer makes it hard for a plane to stay airborne. The crash occurred in a wooded area near Mirror Lake State Park, about 16 kilometres west of Wisconsin Dells.
No structures on the ground were damaged and no one below was hurt.
- Six people, including one child
- Death toll
- 7,315 metres
- Altitude when icing reported
Why it mattersShows a critical aviation hazard that pilots and regulators must manage carefully, especially during storms at altitude.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, though Australian pilots face similar icing risks in mountain flying and severe weather conditions.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 59 min ago
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