Incident Details
A midair collision occurred approximately 2 miles northeast of Sauk-Prairie Airport. The Cessna was executing a climbing right departure turn at an altitude of about 1600 feet MSL and a heading of approximately 120 degrees. The Piper was on a heading of approximately 270 degrees and was descending. At the moment of impact, the Cessna was climbing and turning right, while the Piper was descending on a roughly opposite heading.
Pilot Conditions and Witness Observations
One pilot in the Cessna was wearing an instrument hood, restricting their view of the outside. The pilot of the Piper was flying directly into the setting sun, which may have reduced visibility. According to a witness, the Piper made a sharp evasive turn just before the collision. The pilots of the Cessna did not see the Piper until after the impact had occurred.
Aftermath
Following the collision, the pilot of the Piper lost control of the aircraft, which subsequently crashed. The Cessna, despite severe damage, managed to return to Sauk-Prairie Airport and land safely. The damage to the Cessna included the loss of 3 feet 4 inches of the right wing and 4 feet 4 inches of the right aileron. Throughout the recovery and landing, nearly full left aileron input was required to maintain control.