Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control and his subsequent failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around, which resulted in impact with trees.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down and suddenly "pitched and lifted to the right." He added power to go around, but the airplane climbed and "turned way more to the left." The airplane impacted trees, spun, and dropped onto terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA490 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Depere, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Birch Creek (WS43)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N1085U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.