Incident Overview

A tragic accident unfolded in the Town of Dellona, Sauk County, where a plane crash resulted in the deaths of five adults and one child. Emergency services were alerted around 9:31 PM following reports from residents who heard what sounded like a plane crashing.

Response and Discovery

Upon arrival, deputies from the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office discovered several community members had already begun searching the vicinity. With swift action, law enforcement quickly located the crash site in a densely wooded area, situated north of Park Lane and west of Herwig Road, notably avoiding any property damage as no residences were impacted.

Aircraft Details

The aircraft involved was identified as a Piper PA 46, which was making a return flight from Kenosha to Menomonie at the time of the incident. Reports indicate that the plane had been in communication with a nearby air traffic control tower prior to the crash. Investigators are currently analyzing these communications to ascertain any potential contributing factors, including adverse weather conditions.

Investigation Insights

As part of the ongoing investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are involved in the analysis. Preliminary findings from the NTSB reveal that the pilot had reported icing at an altitude of 24,000 feet and requested a descent. Subsequently, the aircraft entered a rapid right descending turn before contact and tracking data were lost.

Ongoing Investigative Efforts

An NTSB team is scheduled to arrive on-site Wednesday to document the crash area and examine the wreckage. The aircraft will be transported to a secure location for thorough investigation. Individuals who witnessed the crash or may have relevant surveillance footage are encouraged to reach out to the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

Authorities remain on-site, with the area expected to remain closed until midday Wednesday. The identities of the deceased will be disclosed later, as officials continue to manage the sensitive aspects of this tragic event.

Community Response

Various agencies, including the Lake Delton Police Department, Delton Fire Department, Dells/Delton EMS, Sauk County Coroner’s Office, and Wisconsin State Patrol, collaborated with local law enforcement during the emergency response.