Story perspectives

NTSB Investigates Wisconsin Piper Crash After Reported Wing Icing

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 11:22 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

A Piper PA-46 crash in Wisconsin killed six, including a child.
Pilot Ronald Riek, a certified airline-transport and commercial pilot, reported wing icing at 24,000 ft.
Air traffic control approved his descent request before the aircraft entered a right-turning descent.
The plane crashed in a wooded area near Mirror Lake State Park, about 10 miles west of Wisconsin Dells.
The NTSB and FAA are investigating, reporting no ground injuries.

History

Historical Context

On Jan 13 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac after takeoff from Washington National, killing 74 of the 79 aboard and exposing the danger of wing icing. The NTSB blamed the crew’s failure to activate anti-ice systems, leading to reforms in pilot-training and de-icing procedures. The recent Piper PA-46 crash near Mirror Lake, where pilot Ronald Riek reported icing at 24,000 ft, echoes that legacy.

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Story summary

A Piper PA-46 crash in Wisconsin killed six, including a child.
Pilot Ronald Riek, a certified airline-transport and commercial pilot, reported wing icing at 24,000 ft.
Air traffic control approved his descent request before the aircraft entered a right-turning descent.
The plane crashed in a wooded area near Mirror Lake State Park, about 10 miles west of Wisconsin Dells.
The NTSB and FAA are investigating, reporting no ground injuries.

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