NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 24, 1993, at approximately 1420 Central Daylight Time, a homebuilt Stoeckler RV-4, N720DS, registered to Danny R. Stoeckler, was destroyed when it struck trees while circling over a residential area in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. The private pilot incurred fatal injuries, and the passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was operating in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan on file.

Witnesses observed the aircraft circling the area 3 to 4 times in a 30 to 45 degree bank, descending left turn. On the last circle, witnesses indicated the aircraft made a steep left turn, collided with the top of the trees, leveled momentarily in a nose high attitude, and then nosed over and crashed almost vertically into the ground. The witnesses also reported that the engine was running normally at the time of impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor was trees.