No fatalities

CESSNA 172N accident at Prairie du Sac, WI, 12 Feb 2021

Prairie du Sac, WI, United States

On February 12, 2021, a CESSNA 172N operated by MOREY AIRPLANE CO INC was involved in an aviation accident near Prairie du Sac, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Contributed to outcomeDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilot

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Feb 2021 CESSNA 172N accident near Prairie du Sac, WI?

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Feb 2021 CESSNA 172N accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Feb 2021 involved a CESSNA 172N, operated by MOREY AIRPLANE CO INC, at Prairie du Sac, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.