The airplane was being operated as an air-attack coordinator for aerial, forest firefighting activity. The pilot reported that, as the Rockwell International 500S approached the vicinity of the airport in Willcox, Ariz., he was not able to see any wind indicators due to the low-light conditions at dusk. [Read more…]
Homebuilt ends up in water after flying low over lake
The pilot and passenger were returning home after attending a fly-in at another airport. The passenger reported that, during the descent to land, the pilot spotted a boat on the lake near Frankston, Texas, and began to follow it at low altitude.
The pilot then made a steep turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. [Read more…]
Exhaust valve failure contributes to crash
The flight instructor reported that, after takeoff, when the Piper PA-28-140 was about 500 feet above ground level, the engine started to run roughly and lose power.
Engine rpm decreased to about 1,100 as he attempted to turn the airplane 180° back toward the airport in Granbury, Texas. However, he was unable to land at the airport, so he made a forced landing to a field short of the runway. [Read more…]
Inadequate preflight planning contributes to crash
The private pilot reported that, when the Cessna 210 was about 200 feet above the ground on final approach to Las Vegas, N.M., after a cross-country flight, he saw vehicles and flashers on the runway.
He attempted to abort the landing and started climbing the airplane, but the fuel “started cutting out,” and he subsequently lost control. [Read more…]
Water in fuel brings down Piper PA30
An airport security camera captured the pilot getting into the Piper PA30, starting the engines, and taxiing for takeoff from Harrison, Ark. No preflight inspection was recorded.
About two minutes later, the camera and witnesses saw the airplane take off and immediately enter a gradual left turn about 400 feet above the ground. The bank angle increased to about 90° before the airplane’s right wing dropped, and the airplane disappeared from view. [Read more…]
Kitfox hits powerlines
The pilot was practicing taxiing in his recently purchased airplane in Sprague, Wash. While taxiing, the Kitfox unintentionally became airborne. [Read more…]
Spatial disorientation contributes to Lancair crash
The pilot/owner was ferrying the Lancair IV from the United States to Europe, and he had installed an auxiliary fuel bladder in place of the rear seat.
Before takeoff, the fuel tanks were topped off, and 60 gallons of fuel were added to the auxiliary fuel bladder.
The estimated weight of the airplane during takeoff was about 509 pounds over its maximum gross weight. The estimated center of gravity (CG) of the airplane was 93.2, which was near the aft limit of the CG range. [Read more…]
Ostentatious display proves fatal for two
The pilot was providing airplane rides to family and friends who had assembled at a dry lakebed near El Mirage, Calif., in his American Aviation AA-1A.
He completed two uneventful flights and then departed for a third flight from the lakebed.
According to witnesses, he had planned to perform a low pass over the group, and he did so just after takeoff, passing within about 50 feet directly overhead.
The entire accident sequence was captured on video. [Read more…]
Trip to backcountry ends in crash
The owner/pilot was participating in a fly-in to a backcountry airport in Big Creek, Idaho, that he had flown into once about two years before.
He was the last of his group to arrive in the airport vicinity, and he reported that he was using his GPS, published guidance, and information from fellow pilots to navigate to and enter the airport’s traffic pattern.
The pilot stated that on the base leg, he determined that the Cessna 182 was higher and much closer to the runway than he anticipated. [Read more…]
Broken bolt bends Cessna
The Cessna 180H had recently undergone maintenance to realign the main landing gear.
During the third landing, the plane turned sharply to the left upon touchdown.
The pilot attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and hit the upslope of a drainage ditch at the airport in Wasilla, Alaska. [Read more…]