History of Flight
On October 12, 2021, about 0930 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Glastar airplane, registration N628RS, was destroyed when it struck a tree and terrain in a residential area near Waukesha, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The airplane departed Lawrence J Timmerman Airport (MWC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, about 0915, intending to fly to Salina Regional Airport (SLN) in Salina, Kansas. The pilot received clearance for a special visual flight rules (SVFR) departure with a restriction to maintain altitude at or below 2,300 ft mean sea level (msl). During approximately ten minutes between initial contact with air traffic control and the accident, the pilot did not respond to several controller inquiries.
At 0921, a controller provided headings for the pilot to remain clear of class D airspace. When asked if he could climb, the pilot replied that he could not climb higher. At 0926, the controller queried the pilot because radar showed the airplane in a climb; the pilot responded that they needed to climb and hoped to get above the clouds. At 0929, the controller asked if the pilot could maintain VFR or if he needed to return, but the pilot did not respond. Radar contact was lost shortly after.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated the airplane proceeded southwest before entering a left turn at 0927:25 from about 2,600 ft msl at a groundspeed of 95 knots. By 0928:53, the airplane had turned toward the north-northwest. Four seconds later, a descent began at 256 ft/min, increasing to 8,640 ft/min before track data was lost in the vicinity of the accident site.
The airplane collided with a tree and terrain. There were no injuries to persons on the ground.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He did not hold an instrument rating.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was equipped with an AVMAP ELP V with an A2 ADHARS module, providing an electronic primary flight display including attitude and directional information. It also had an autopilot system. An instructor who had flown with the pilot reported that the pilot was familiar with the autopilot's use.
The airplane's maintenance logbooks were not located during the investigation.
Meteorological Information
Meteorological information indicated a low-pressure system center conducive to cloud and precipitation formation in the immediate vicinity of the departure airport. At 0845, the surface observation at MWC reported an overcast ceiling at 900 ft above ground level (agl) with 10 miles visibility. At the same time, Waukesha County Airport (UES) reported an overcast ceiling at 400 ft agl with 2.5 miles visibility in mist.
Forecasts predicted a probability of clouds from 1,200 ft msl (300 ft agl) through 12,000 ft msl. Weather satellite imagery for the accident site showed cloud tops near 7,000 ft msl, with solid cloud coverage over most of Wisconsin. AIRMET Sierra forecast instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions due to precipitation and mist for the accident area.
The pilot requested weather information from Leidos Flight Service about 0731 on the morning of the accident. A specialist provided all standard weather information for the proposed flight. A search of ForeFlight indicated that the pilot did not request a ForeFlight weather briefing but did enter several flight routes into the app; no weather imagery was viewed within the app.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The initial impact point was a tree. The wreckage path continued 90 ft toward a slight ravine then up an embankment, generally following a 134° magnetic heading. Both wings separated from the fuselage and were found in the debris path near the ravine. The main wreckage, consisting of the fuselage and empennage, came to rest against trees. The engine separated and came to rest 58 ft past the main wreckage. The propeller separated from the propeller flange and was found near the main wreckage. All major airplane components were accounted for at the accident site.
Flight control cables were separated in multiple locations with evidence of tension overload. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.