The non-certificated pilot reported that, after takeoff in the North Wing Apache, a light sport trike, about 200′ above ground level, he heard a popping sound and the aircraft yawed to the right. He heard the sound a second time, and the aircraft turned hard to the right. He applied full engine power in an attempt to […]
Pilot hits uncharted power lines
The pilot reported that during the initial climb, he leveled off at about 65′ above the ground and made a right turn to follow a river near Long Island, N.C. After maneuvering down the river for about one minute, the Beech F35 hit uncharted and unmarked power lines that spanned across the entire length of […]
Takeoff on ice-covered runway goes awry
The pilot reported he landed the Beech C23 on the runway at the airport in Frenchville, Maine, with visible ice and snow, and noted no issues with the braking and steering capabilities of the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff roll with full power applied, the airplane started sliding to the left. He attempted to control […]
Piper gets away from pilot after hand-propping
The pilot shut down the Piper PA-24’s engine to reposition the plane prior to finishing the run-up. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the airplane’s battery charge was low and the engine would not start. He set the parking brake and hand propped the engine. The engine started and the airplane began to move without […]
Failure to use checklists results in fuel starvation
The student pilot departed on the solo cross-country flight with about four hours of fuel onboard the Cessna 172. About two hours into the flight, he noticed that the left tank fuel gauge was indicating almost empty. He was not concerned about the indication, stating that he had been trained not to rely on the […]
Failure to secure seat fatal
The flight instructor, who was controlling the Cessna 172, and the student pilot were conducting an instructional flight. During the takeoff from the airport in Charleston, West Virginia, the airplane lifted off about 1,000′ down the runway, pitched nose up, and rolled left to an inverted attitude before it hit terrain next to the runway […]
Flight to chase birds ends in crash
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight in the Piper J5A was to maneuver at low altitude and chase birds away from designated fields near Lake Harbor, Florida. He had completed about eight to 10 turns over the target field and during a steep “reversal turn” to the left, the airplane hit terrain. […]
Corrosion contributes to 210 crash
The private pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff with the Cessna 210’s flaps and landing gear retracted, a total loss of electrical power occurred and that he immediately turned back to the departure airport in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The landing gear, which is extended and retracted by hydraulic actuators powered by an electrically driven hydraulic […]
Fuel starvation brings down Mooney
The private pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection of the Mooney M20C and noted that both fuel tanks were full. He then took off for the personal cross-country flight. During approach to landing at the destination airport in Wichita, he extended the downwind leg due to inbound instrument flight rules traffic. The engine […]