According to the pilots of a Mooney and a Boeing A75N, they arrived at the non-towered airport in Farmington, Delaware, and entered the traffic patterns for opposing sides of the 3,588-foot runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the pattern on a left downwind for Runway 34. The pilot said he made radio […]
Equipment failure leads to gear-up landing
The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, after the landing gear was retracted, the landing gear’s hydraulic pump electric motor continued to run, even though the landing gear appeared to be fully retracted, as viewed in the landing gear mirror. He then attempted to extend the landing gear normally, but the landing gear […]
Loss of control for unknown reasons kills two
At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the instrument-rated pilot was cleared for an instrument approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions. About two minutes later, the Beech F33A entered a right descending turn away from the airport. The controller attempted to contact the pilot, but received no response. The airplane hit a reservoir about eight […]
Training flight goes awry for Lancair pilot
While practicing an emergency descent during a dual training flight, the pilot receiving instruction entered the Lancair IV-P into a steep dive, which resulted in a 0.5-G load factor for about five seconds and a transient drop in engine oil pressure of about 15 psi. As the descent continued, engine speed steadily increased beyond the […]
Lake water loops
According to the pilot of the amphibious Lake LA-4, during the takeoff run on a lake near Morganton, N.C., with choppy water, the plane encountered about a 6-inch-high wave and water looped. When it encountered the wave, the airplane’s nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. The right sponson and […]
Cub hits 172 on runway
According to the pilot of the Piper J-3C, which he was operating from the rear seat, while taxiing to the runway at the airport in Greeley, Colorado, his forward visibility was diminished by his airplane’s nose, requiring the use of “S” turns in order to clear the area in front of the airplane. He reported […]
Two die when A36 crashes into lake
The private pilot was beginning a cross-country flight and was instructed by the ground controller to remain clear of Class B airspace. After an uneventful takeoff, while in Class B airspace, he was instructed by the local controller to remain outside the Class B airspace, and the pilot advised the controller that the flight was […]
Prairie dog holes contribute to bad landing
The pilot reported that during final approach he observed “prairie dog holes” on the private grass runway in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The touchdown was “normal,” but during the rollout he observed additional prairie dog holes ahead and applied the brakes. Subsequently, the Backcountry SuperCub skidded for about 50 feet on the “soft and sandy” area […]
Loss of control fatal
The non-instrument-rated private pilot departed on a cross-country flight in night visual meteorological conditions in the Flight Design CTLS. After takeoff, the pilot leveled the airplane at an altitude about 1,400 feet mean sea level (msl) and continued toward the destination airport for about 30 minutes until he requested and was cleared by air traffic […]