According to the pilot, while flying over a river at an altitude of about 100 feet above water and ground level, at 250 knots, the Aero Vodochody 39 hit unmarked power line wires that spanned the river near Grand Junction, Colorado. The power line wires are clearly identified on the Visual Flight Rules Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The […]
Battery results in stuck aileron
The pilot reported that, while climbing after a touch-and-go landing, the Bellanca 8KCAB began an uncommanded left bank. He perceived that the ailerons were jammed and attempted to regain control of the airplane; however, he was not successful, so he performed a forced landing to the airport in Superior, Wisconsin. A post-accident examination of the airplane found […]
Failure to remove gust lock bends 172
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock. He reported that the crosswind pushed the Cessna 172 off the right side of the runway at the airport in Sussex, N.J., into the grass, […]
Off-airport landing damages RV-12
In an email sent to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector by the pilot, he reported that he was unable to manipulate the fuel station pumps where he had landed, so he decided to fly to another airfield that was about 20 miles away. He wrote that somehow he did not make the right turn and became […]
First flight in Kitfox ends in crash
The pilot reported that during the three-point landing roll at the airport in McLeansboro, Illinois, he failed to hold the stick all the way back, applied the brakes, and the Kitfox nosed down. The pilot stated the “forward momentum caused him to apply the brakes harder.” He further stated this was his first flight in this […]
Lake’s landing goes awry
The pilot of the amphibious Lake LA 4 reported he made a normal approach to landing with near glassy water conditions at a lake near Glenwood, Minnesota. Shortly after contact with the water, the right sponson separated and the right wing hit the water, causing the airplane to spin 180° and come to a stop. The pilot […]
Distracted pilot fails to lower landing gear
The pilot was landing a retractable landing gear-equipped, twin-engine Piper PA 31-350 at an uncontrolled airport in Homer, Alaska. While on final approach, an airplane that landed in front of him reported a moose in the vicinity of the runway. An airport maintenance person announced on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he was attempting to chase […]
First landing on new airfield damages Maule
The pilot reported that during the landing roll on his first landing to his newly constructed airfield near Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, the Maule MX-7’s left main wheel came in contact with “something” and bounced in the air. The airplane veered to the left, the left wing tip struck a branch, continued to veer to the left […]
Planes collide on runway
A red V Star biplane and a white Aviat Pitts biplane collided while both airplanes were landing on the same runway at the airport in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Review of both pilot statements, a witness statement, and a video from a recorder attached to the white biplane pilot’s helmet revealed that the red biplane was ahead […]