Six people, including five adults and one child, were killed when a Piper PA-46 crashed into a wooded area in Sauk County, Wisconsin, on Tuesday night. The aircraft was returning from Kenosha to Menomonie when it went down in the Town of Dellona. Investigators are examining the plane’s final communications with air traffic control and whether weather conditions contributed to the crash. The identities of those aboard had not been released.
Emergency crews found the wreckage near Park Lane, west of Herwig Road, after authorities received multiple reports of a downed aircraft at about 9:31 p.m. No one on the ground was injured, and no structures were damaged.
| 1) | Crash kills six occupants in Sauk County |
| 2) | Return flight ended in a wooded area |
| 3) | Authorities review final tower communications |
| 4) | Federal investigators will determine the cause |
| 5) | Crash site remains secured during investigation |
Crash kills six occupants in Sauk County
The six occupants of the Piper PA-46 were found dead at the crash site in the Town of Dellona, in Sauk County, after the aircraft went down Tuesday night, October 13, 2026. The victims included five adults and one child. Authorities had not released their names or other identifying information.
First responders initially searched the area for survivors and worked to establish how many people were aboard. The sheriff’s office later confirmed that rescue crews recovered the bodies of all six occupants. The crash occurred in a densely wooded area, creating difficult conditions for emergency personnel.
Return flight ended in a wooded area
The single-engine aircraft was traveling from Kenosha to Menomonie on a return flight when it crashed in Sauk County. Authorities said the aircraft was not a commercial plane, and it remained unclear who owned it.
Multiple reports of a downed aircraft were received at approximately 9:31 p.m. Emergency crews were sent toward Park Lane and located the wreckage west of Herwig Road. The aircraft’s impact area was away from structures, and officials reported no injuries or property damage on the ground.
Authorities review final tower communications
Investigators are focusing on communications between the aircraft and a nearby air traffic control tower before the crash. Those exchanges could help establish the aircraft’s status, route and final circumstances, although authorities had not disclosed the content of the communications.
“We know that they had contact with the tower prior to the crash and investigators are looking into that today to find out what that communication was,” Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister said.
Officials were also examining whether weather conditions in the area may have played a role. No determination had been announced about the cause of the crash.
Federal investigators will determine the cause
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified and will lead the investigation. Their work is expected to include examining the wreckage, reviewing flight information and assessing the aircraft’s communications before impact.
The federal agencies will work with local authorities to establish what happened during the flight and why the Piper PA-46 went down. At the time of the initial response, investigators had not identified a confirmed mechanical, operational or weather-related cause.
Crash site remains secured during investigation
The crash site remained secured Wednesday as investigators documented the scene and worked to recover relevant evidence. Local responders supported the initial search, recovery and identification efforts before the federal investigation proceeded.
Because the wreckage was located in a wooded area, investigators must carefully examine the site and aircraft components while preserving evidence. Authorities had not provided a timeline for completing the investigation or releasing the victims’ identities.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Six people, including five adults and one child, died. |
| 2 | The Piper PA-46 crashed in the Town of Dellona in Sauk County. |
| 3 | The aircraft was returning from Kenosha to Menomonie. |
| 4 | Investigators are reviewing its final communications with air traffic control. |
| 5 | The FAA and NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause. |
Summary
The Wisconsin crash killed all six people aboard a Piper PA-46 during a return flight to Menomonie. Authorities located the wreckage in a wooded area of Sauk County and reported no ground injuries or structural damage. The investigation will center on the aircraft’s final air traffic control communications, weather conditions and other evidence recovered from the scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the plane crash?
The aircraft crashed in a wooded area in the Town of Dellona, Sauk County, Wisconsin, west of Herwig Road and near Park Lane.
How many people were killed?
Six people died: five adults and one child. Authorities had not released their identities.
What are investigators examining?
Investigators are reviewing the aircraft’s final communications with air traffic control, possible weather factors and other evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
Which agencies are leading the investigation?
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with support from local authorities.
