N5762W

On June 9, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 160, N5762W, registered to B&G Electric Construction Company of Viola, Wisconsin, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing shortly after taking off from Viroqua Municipal Airport, Viroqua, Wisconsin. The airplane collided with transmission wires as the pilot was turning to try and avoid landing in a residential area. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was en route to Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported he taxied the airplane to runway 11 at Viroqua Municipal Airport and performed an engine runup. According to the pilot, all indications were normal. The airplane then took off and started to climb. At approximately 300 feet above the ground, the pilot reported the engine began to miss and vibrate. He immediately switched fuel tanks, but the engine continued to lose power. The pilot made a 180 degree turn in an effort to try and return to the airport. While turning the airplane collided with power lines and impacted the ground.

Review of engine logbooks disclosed the last annual inspection was performed on November 13, 1994. The airplane has logged 82.2 total hours since this last inspection. The entry prior to this entry was dated February 14, 1990. Between the dates of November 13, 1994 and February 14, 1990 the airplane logged 7.3 total hours.

A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical abnormalities.