The Phantom X1 pilot flew a visual traffic pattern to a grass runway near Three Rivers, Mich., utilized by a combination of light-sport aircraft, powered parachutes, and radio-controlled aircraft.

While on downwind at 400 feet above ground level, he noticed three ground vehicles parked in a lot often used by pilots when they flew radio-controlled aircraft.

As he searched for possible radio-controlled aircraft, he became distracted and allowed his airspeed to decrease, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

He was unable to regain control and the plane subsequently hit a line of trees.

The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed while flying a visual pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.

NTSB Identification: CEN14CA413

This August 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

The Piper PA 32-300 had been parked on the ramp at the airport in Ardmore, Okla., for two or three months waiting for completion of engine maintenance work. The evening before the accident, the pilot and the passenger, who held a mechanic certificate, were seen replacing the engine’s Nos. 4 and 6 cylinders. [Read more…]

The Air Tractor pilot was spraying a corn field near Cimarron, Kansas, bordered by radio antennas.

He had sprayed the field previously and planned to use the same pattern this time. However, on his initial pass, he focused on the inner guy wire anchor point, which caused him to inadvertently fly between the inner and outer guy wires. [Read more…]

As the pilot leveled the Cessna 206 at 2,500 feet mean sea level during the descent for landing, he advanced the throttle but observed no response from the engine.

He could not restore engine power, however the propeller continued to spin.

He noted that the throttle “felt very loose” when he attempted to add power. [Read more…]

A friend of the commercial pilot reported that the purpose of the personal flight was to relocate the Beech S35 to an airport about 19 miles northeast of the departure airport, where it could be stored in a hangar while the pilot was on an extended trip overseas.

He added that the pilot attempted to complete the flight the day before the accident but he was unable to start the airplane because the battery required servicing. The battery was serviced the morning of the accident. [Read more…]

The pilot/owner reported that, while on final approach to the airport in New Orleans, the Piper PA28-161’s engine experienced a total loss of power.

He was unable to restart the engine, and the airplane was unable to glide to the runway, so he subsequently ditched the airplane into a lake. The pilot evacuated the airplane and swam to shore; the airplane sank into the lake but was subsequently recovered. [Read more…]

The airline transport pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight. Radar data indicated that the Cirrus SR22 took off from the departure airport and then climbed to an altitude of 21,000 feet mean sea level before leveling off and maintaining that altitude for about an hour.

The pilot then contacted an air route traffic control center and requested and received several descent clearances over the course of about 45 minutes.

The pilot’s communications over the next 10 minutes were consistent with impairment. During this time, he reported that he was having some difficulties but did not state the nature of the problem. [Read more…]

The pilot and three passengers boarded the Cessna 172 for a flight at night near Willoughby Hills, Ohio.

The controller cleared the flight for takeoff and observed the airplane lift off about 2,000 feet down the runway.

Shortly after liftoff, the pilot contacted the controller and reported that the airplane was not “climbing fast” and that he wanted to make a left turn to return to the airport. The controller approved the left turn and observed the airplane begin a left turn and descend to impact with the terrain, killing all four aboard. [Read more…]

Before departure for the flight, the private pilot and owner of the Cessna 172 conducted the preflight and run-up and noted the airplane was operating normally. During takeoff, he rotated about 70 knots and the climb out was normal. About 300 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power and shook violently. [Read more…]