Investigators zero in on possible cause of Wisconsin plane crash that killed 6

Investigators are examining a Wisconsin crash involving a six-seat Piper PA-46 Malibu that occurred Tuesday night, with the NTSB leading the probe into a possible icing-related loss of control. The aircraft was operating under air traffic control as it descended from altitude after reporting ice building on the wings.

Flight data indicate the airplane descended at a rate of up to 4,000 feet per minute while its airspeed rose to about 340 mph, as tracked by FlightRadar24 and reported by outlets. The descent followed a turn that became increasingly sharp before communications and tracking data were lost.

Authorities say the flight originated from Kenosha and was en route to Menomonie when it crashed in a wooded area near Mirror Lake State Park in Sauk County, Wisconsin, roughly 10 miles west of Wisconsin Dells. The crash occurred as rain and a thunderstorm passage moved through the Dellona area, with no reported ground injuries or structural damage on surrounding properties.

The six occupants were all killed in the crash, including a child. The identities of the victims have not been publicly released, and officials have not disclosed additional details about the passengers or the specific circumstances at the moment of impact.

The aircraft has a history of scrutiny regarding icing conditions, and the NTSB has previously reviewed seven icing-related Piper Malibu and Mirage crashes from 1989 to 1991, leading to recommendations on training, checklists, and equipment to prevent ice buildup in critical systems. The current investigation will determine whether similar factors contributed to Tuesday’s crash.