Minor injuries were reported for the three humans and 53 dogs aboard a 1985 Fairchild Metro SA227 after the turboprop twin crashed onto a golf course 3.2 nm short of the approach to Runway 10 at Wisconsin's Waukesha County Airport on Tuesday. Weather conditions at the time were reported as one-half mile with snow and fog and a ceiling of 300 feet.
The animal rescue flight, operated by Ameriflight, was en route from New Orleans Lakefront Airport when it touched down on the fifth green at the Western Lakes Golf Course in Pewaukee, Wisconsin just after 9 a.m. local time. The aircraft then continued through a marsh, onto the second fairway, and the third, damaging several trees along the way. No players were on the course as it was closed for winter maintenance, although it had been full of golfers as late as last week.
The flight was being operated on behalf of the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha (HAWS). HAWS volunteers were awaiting the flight at the airport and rushed to the crash scene to secure the dogs. Some of the “crash dogs” are available for adoption by contacting HAWS.