Fatal Piper J5A Accident Near Iola, Wisconsin (N35417)

Accident Overview and Flight History On August 19, 2023, at approximately 1254 central daylight time, a Piper J5A, registration N35417, was involved in a fatal accident near Iola, Wisconsin. The aircraft was operating as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot had departed from Escanaba, Michigan, intending to fly the airplane to Central County Airport (68C) for an annual inspection. The pilot had previously communicated with the mechanic at 68C about flying the aircraft during a specific weather window. Notably, the aircraft's annual inspection had expired in September 2022, and no record of a ferry permit was found for the flight. A friend of the pilot, who had driven to the airport to pick him up, discovered the aircraft nosed over at the end of a taxiway and subsequently contacted emergency services. No other witnesses to the accident were identified.