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CEN22LA112

2022-01-29 · Hortonville, Wisconsin, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport N/A

Current FAA registration · N544WM

Make / Model
VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-4
Year of manufacture
2012 · 10 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-320-E2D (150 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20120502
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6E8C8

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The loss of direction control while maneuvering off the plowed surface to avoid a collision with a vehicle.

Factual narrative

While landing on a frozen lake, the pilot observed a van at the end of the plowed airstrip. The pilot did not know the driver’s intention and decided to steer the airplane off the plowed area into the snow to slow the airplane before getting close to the van. The right tire hit a frozen obstruction and the airplane turned right and nosed down. Substantial damage was sustained to an engine mount and the lower firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that contributed to the accident. The pilot stated that he did not realize that the snow at the edge was so frozen and deep. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Ground vehicle-Decision related to condition
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Snowy/icy terrain-Effect on equipment
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_CEN22LA112.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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