Incident Overview
At approximately 1530 CDT, an aircraft departed Madison, Wisconsin, bound for Dodge County Airport in Juneau, Wisconsin. The pilot had previously made arrangements with a fixed base operator at Juneau to fly the aircraft there for its annual inspection. Fourteen minutes later, at 1544, the aircraft crashed on downsloping terrain in an unplanted corn field. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact.
Witness Accounts
Multiple witnesses reported observing the aircraft in flight. They noted that they did not hear the engine running. One witness reported seeing the aircraft circle from a northerly heading and then turn toward the southwest before it crashed. According to a sheriff's report, the wind at the time was from the southwest.
Engine Examination
Following the crash, investigators examined the engine. The examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures.
Crash Location
The crash site was located approximately 6 miles from the destination airport. The terrain at the site was described as downsloping, and the field was unplanted at the time of the accident.