Six people, including a child, died in Wisconsin after a Piper plane en route from Kenosha to Menomonie crashed in a densely wooded area near Wisconsin Dells Tuesday evening.
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the victims, all from towns in Wisconsin, on Thursday:
- Ronald R. Riek, 63, of Woodville
- Tyler J. Harvey, 35, of Cadott
- Mary K. Brion, 67, of Nelson
- Amanda M. Haremza, 45, of Altoona
- Rylan Haremza, 13, of Altoona
- Kayla C. Turpin, 39, of Eau Claire
According to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, there were reports of a Piper PA 46 plane crashing around 9:30 p.m. in the town of Dellona. Authorities said first responders immediately began searching for survivors at the crash site, north of Park Lane and west of Herwig Road.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plane was flying at 24,000 feet when the pilot reported icing and requested to descend. Air traffic control then approved the descent, and the plane reportedly turned right while descending until communications and data tracking were lost.
All five adults and one child on board were pronounced dead at the scene.
At a meeting Wednesday evening, Menomonie Airport Commission Chairman Daniel Johnson identified Ron Riek as the pilot killed in the crash.
He opened the meeting by paying tribute to the lives lost.
“I think we should take a minute of silence in memory of the deceased.”
Johnson said he had known Riek for decades.
“He was just a good man, a very experienced pilot, and it’s a tragedy,” Johnson said. “He was an active and enthusiastic local rider. He was a Woodville businessman, who owned a very active, attractive and successful warehousing business.”
Johnson said the plane “encountered a thunderstorm, a small thunderstorm, and crashed, and they all died last night after dark.”
As investigators search for answers, Johnson highlighted some of the challenges the flight may have faced.
“The plane has a reputation for not performing well in thunderstorms,” Johnson noted.
Choking back tears, Johnson also reflected on another fatal plane crash that shook the community last year in Menomonie — he says Riek helped honor those victims.
“This is two fatal accidents in 18 months and we’ve lost a lot of friends,” Johnson said.
The names of the other victims have not yet been released.
No buildings were damaged in the plane crash and no people on the ground were injured, according to the sheriff’s office.
Neighbors reported hearing an engine driving in and out just before the crash. One woman said that at one point the plane was so close she feared it would hit her house.
Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin shared a statement about the crash Wednesday evening, saying, “Devastating news coming out of Sauk County. My heart breaks for the six lives lost and all their loved ones. I’m keeping everyone affected in my thoughts.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB are investigating.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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