Authorities investigate a plane crash in the 3700 block of Rockwood Road in Manitowoc County, Oct. 26, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Pilot error led to a fatal plane crash in Manitowoc County two years ago, according to a new federal report.
Steven Walker, 57, of Keller, Texas, died in the Oct. 25, 2023 crash of the Lancair 320 near Rockwood Road, north of Manitowoc.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board report released Thursday, Keller was on a personal cross-country flight. He left Boonville, Missouri, and headed towards Door County. Walker approached the Ephraim/Gibraltar Airport, but did not land. He then headed towards Manitowoc County Airport, and activated the airport’s lighting system.
“The airplane was aligned with the extended runway centerline but impacted trees and terrain about 2.5 miles from the diversion airport,” the report states. “Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.”
Walker did not communicate with any air traffic control facility, and made an “unapproved instrument approach” before striking the trees at about 6:30 p.m.
There was light rain and mist at the time, with limited visibility.
“There was no record of the pilot having obtained a weather briefing before the flight. It is unknown what weather information, if any, the accident pilot checked or received before or during the accident flight,” the report states. “Evidence is consistent with the airplane initially impacting trees, with most of the wreckage coming to rest in the lake.”
“The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during an unapproved instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning,” the report states.
The autopsy showed no indication of drugs or alcohol in his system.
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