Grandmother, Two Daughters and 13-Year-Old Grandson Among Six Killed in Wisconsin Plane Crash

WISCONSIN — A family and an aviation community are mourning after six people, including four members of the same family, died in a small plane crash near Wisconsin Dells.

Among those killed were a grandmother, her two adult daughters and her 13-year-old grandson. The victims had been traveling aboard a Piper PA-46 Malibu aircraft when the flight encountered dangerous weather conditions.

A Family Trip Ends in Tragedy

The family had attended a high school volleyball match in Salem before traveling aboard the aircraft.

The flight was heading from Kenosha toward Menomonie when the journey took a devastating turn.

Also aboard were flight instructor Tyler Harvey and pilot Ron Riek, an experienced aviator known within the local aviation community.

All six people on board lost their lives.

Aircraft Encounters Dangerous Conditions

According to information reported by the Associated Press, the aircraft encountered severe icing conditions while flying at approximately 24,000 feet.

The pilot requested permission to descend before communication with the aircraft was lost.

The plane subsequently crashed near Mirror Lake State Park, close to Wisconsin Dells.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the flight, including the aircraft’s performance in icing conditions.

Community Mourns Six Lives Lost

The tragedy has deeply affected the aviation community in Menomonie, where Riek was known as an experienced pilot.

His involvement in supporting the community following a previous aviation tragedy has also been remembered in the wake of the crash.

For the victims’ relatives and friends, the loss extends across several generations of one family.

Investigation Continues

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.

Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, flight information and the aircraft’s operating history.

Although severe icing has emerged as an important focus, the final cause of the accident has not yet been established.

The devastating incident serves as a reminder of how quickly an ordinary family journey can turn into an unimaginable tragedy.

Source: Associated Press, October 15, 2026.