The pilot of the Cessna 150 reported he experienced a total loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a road near Balsam Grove, N.C. The reason for the engine failure was later attributed to a blocked fuel vent tube. After landing, he added additional fuel to the airplane, conducted a normal engine run-up, […]
172 hits another plane, airport sign
The flight instructor said the student pilot’s landing was not stabilized, so the CFI stated “my controls” and assumed control of the airplane. However, according to the CFI, the student did not release the right rudder pressure and the Cessna 172 exited the right side of the paved portion of the runway, hit a taxiway sign, and […]
Water landing goes awry
The sport pilot reported that he was landing his float-equipped, experimental amateur-built Zenith CH-701 on a smooth and glassy lake near Palmer, Alaska. During the approach, just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, and the airplane’s right float struck the water, which pivoted it to the right. The left wing subsequently struck the water, […]
Use of wrong fuel contributes to crash
The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he observed that the engine would not advance past 2,100 rpm, which was 300 rpm below the RV-7’s normal cruise power setting. The pilot’s attempts to troubleshoot the engine issue were unsuccessful, and he chose to conduct a precautionary landing near Bartow, Georgia. Shortly after, the oil temperature increased, […]
Cropduster dies when plane hits trees
The operator reported that the pilot was applying dry, granular fertilizer to a rice field near Basile, Louisiana. During the last application pass, the Air Tractor AT 502B’s left wing hit some trees. The plane then struck several additional trees, traveled about 550 feet, and hit terrain, killing the pilot. A post-impact fire ensued and subsequently consumed a […]
Distracted pilot hits another plane on the ground
After engine start up, the pilot reported that he and his passenger were focused on untangling their headsets. He stated they both were “heads down” for about eight seconds and failed to notice the Cessna 177 moving forward. After rolling forward about 25 feet, the airplane struck an unoccupied airplane at the airport in Roxboro, N.C., which […]
Cessna 180 ‘ground loops’ in lake
The pilot reported that during a landing to a lake in Hartland, Maine, the float-equipped Cessna 180 hit the water, porpoised, and flipped over. The pilot reported the plane “flipped over like a ground loop” and subsequently sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the […]
Unexpected takeoff ends in forced landing
The pilot reported that he was conducting a high-speed taxi test of a Buhl LA 1 at an airport in Cottage Grove, Oregon, during which he did not intend to fly, when the plane encountered a wind gust and then unexpectedly became airborne. Insufficient runway was available to abort the takeoff, so he decided to continue […]
182 hits airport building
According to the pilot, following his preflight inspection he attempted to start the engine with the electrical starter, but was unable to get the engine to turn over. He turned the magnetos to the off position and then got out of the Cessna 182 to “turn the prop through,” but was not attempting to hand prop […]