Accident Details
On August 18, 2010, at 0931 central daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 601P, registration N601PP, received substantial damage after impacting terrain near Baraboo, Wisconsin. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Flight History
The flight originated from Reedsburg Municipal Airport (C35), Reedsburg, Wisconsin, about 0926 and was en route to Baraboo Wisconsin Dells Airport (DLL), Baraboo, Wisconsin. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane had left cylinder temperature probes replaced at C35. The pilot was repositioning the airplane to DLL.
Events Leading to Impact
While approaching DLL, the pilot noticed a differential reading between the left and right engine cylinder/exhaust temperatures. While preparing to land, the pilot moved his seat back to gain a better view of the engine temperature gauges located on the right side of the panel. As he recorded the gauge indications on paper, the airspeed decreased and the sink rate increased. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and a corn field about 1/2 mile north of the approach end of runway 19.
Damage and Injuries
The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.