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A Cessna 172 clipped treetops and vanished over Wisconsin Dells on Saturday, leaving six dead, including a seven‑year‑old child.
First responders arrived within minutes — the wreckage was scattered across a cornfield just off County Road B, the FAA confirmed.
And the pilot, identified as 34‑year‑old Mark Jensen of Madison, was among the fatalities.
Because the aircraft was registered to SkyFly Aviation, investigators will scrutinize maintenance logs for any overdue inspections.
We found the flight plan filed at 9:12 a.m., a short hop from Madison to a private airstrip near Baraboo.
The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team; their preliminary report will be posted on NTSB.gov later today.
“This tragedy shakes our entire community,” said Mayor Laura Mitchell, standing beside the twisted fuselage.
But the cause remains unknown — weather was clear, wind 5 mph from the west, and visibility 10 miles.
Not what we expected.
In my experience, small‑plane accidents often involve fuel starvation; however, the fuel tank showed a full 30‑gallon readout.
And the emergency crews had to cut through a fence to reach the site.
The aircraft’s 180‑horsepower Lycoming engine was recovered largely intact, suggesting a possible loss of control rather than mechanical failure.
Families of the victims are being assisted by local charities; the community center has set up a donation drive.
Because grief is palpable, the town will hold a candlelight vigil Friday night at the Dells County Fairgrounds.
So the investigation will also examine whether the pilot’s recent AI‑based flight‑training app logged any anomalies.
Investigation
The NTSB’s 12‑person team will interview witnesses, retrieve the aircraft’s black box, and test the runway’s lighting system.
And they’ll compare the crash site photos with the aircraft’s 2022 maintenance schedule posted on the FAA registry.
Community response
Local schools have offered counseling; the Dells High soccer team postponed practice.
But the mayor announced a fundraiser to cover funeral costs — a $10,000 goal that was met within hours.
Key takeaway
- Six dead, including a child, in a Cessna 172 crash near Wisconsin Dells.
- Clear weather, full fuel, and intact engine point to possible pilot error.
- NTSB investigation underway; preliminary report expected within 48 hours.
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