Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Richmond, Ky. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The accident happened during touch and go practice on a training flight.
Running out of fuel proves fatal
Aircraft: Buccaneer II. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Granite Quarry, N.C. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot added about five gallons of automotive gasoline to the airplane’s fuel tank before departing on a local flight. Witnesses saw the airplane flying at a low altitude when the engine lost power.
Short field takeoff goes awry
Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: 4 Minor. Location: Tiskilwa, Ill. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot and three passengers was attempting to takeoff from a 1,600-foot private airfield. The C-182 had been modified for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations.
Gust front catches Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 180. Injuries: None. Location: Huntington, Utah. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The commercial pilot was using his high-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane to participate in an Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles event at a non-towered airport.
Drunk pilot crashes
Aircraft: Cessna 150. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: During takeoff in good visibility and calm wind, about 100 feet above ground level, the airplane banked 90° to the left and descended in a spiral until hitting the ground.
Crosswind catches Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 150. Injuries: None. Location: St. Johns, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was landing at a private dirt airstrip in gusting crosswind conditions. He reported that when he flared to land, the wind shifted. The airplane swerved and hit a dirt berm.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions.
NTSB Identification: WPR12CA438
This August 2012 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.
Delayed go-around leads to crash
Aircraft: Cessna 175. Injuries: None. Location: Spearfish, S.D. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot thought the airplane was too fast and too high on the first approach to the private airstrip, so he elected to perform a go-around.
Fatigued pilot crashes
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Land O’Lakes, Fla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was flying it home.
Tailwind landing proves fatal
Aircraft: RV-7A. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Laramie, Wyo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot approached the non-towered airport for landing. The airport had two runways, 21/03 and 30/15. The winds at the time of the accident were reported to be 350° at 14 knots with gusts to 24 knots. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 21.
Bad bolt brings down airplane
Aircraft: Cessna 150. Injuries: 2 Minor. Location: Corinth, Miss. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, after about two hours of uneventful flight a loud noise came from the engine compartment and the engine cowling began shaking violently.