Potez-Air Fouga CM 170 accident near La Crosse, WI
On June 16, 2001, a Potez-Air Fouga CM 170 (airplane) was involved in an accident near La Crosse, WI. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 16, 2001
- Place
- La Crosse, WI
- Aircraft
- Potez-Air Fouga CM 170 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.879°N, 91.257°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010621X01233
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 16, 2001, about 0945 central daylight time, an experimental exhibition Potez-Air Fouga CM 170, N301FM, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain and post impact fire following an in-flight break up while maneuvering in runway 21's pattern at La Crosse Municipal Airport (LSE), near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The business flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and rear seat passenger were fatally injured. The local flight originated from LSE about 0938, and was on the upwind portion of runway 21's pattern at the time of the accident. Sponsorship forms for The Deke Slayton Airfest 2001 that was held on June 16 and 17, 2001 at LSE, listed the "[pilot's name] Fouga Jet" as an air show performer. About 0943, the accident airplane was given a clearance from the LSE Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) for a low approach runway 21. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector interviewed the LSE ATCT Chief. The FAA's record of interview with the Chief stated "that when the aircraft was in front of the tower he first noticed a short vapor trail coming from the left wing tip and shortly thereafter the wing tip tank separated." The airplane's crew chief stated: Aircraft departed runway[,] retracted landing gear, made left turns to remain in the pattern. Base to final turn was to the left at [approximately] 60 [degrees] bank ([approximately] 7 [minutes] after start up) [and] then flew over the runway followed by a pull
Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the aircraft's left wing tip fuel tank rear attachment, while the aircraft was being maneuvered in a low approach, leading to the tank's in-flight separation and subsequent in-flight break up of the airplane and the aircraft's control not possible.
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Browse: Wisconsin
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
