As the Beech C90 was descending toward its destination airport, the pilot reported to an air traffic controller en route that he needed to change his destination to a closer airport because the airplane was low on fuel. The controller advised him to land at an airport that was four miles away near Springdale, Ark. […]
Flight into IMC kills two
The non-instrument-rated private pilot departed on a cross-country flight in the Cessna T310R without obtaining a weather briefing from a flight service station or the Direct User Access Terminal System, and he did not communicate with air traffic control during the flight. Existing weather advisories for instrument flight rules conditions along the intended route of […]
Tire fails on takeoff
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll at the airport in Monroe, N.C., the Piper PA-46-500TP’s right main landing gear tire failed. He aborted the takeoff, and the plane departed the right side of the runway. The ground around the runway edge was uneven due to airfield construction, and the wings bounced as the […]
Plane hits deer
The pilot reported that during the flare for landing at the airport in Burwell, Neb., a deer ran towards the Piper PA-28-181 from his left side. He tried to raise the left wing to clear the deer. The left main landing gear hit the deer and the gear separated from the wing. The airplane subsequently […]
Distracted seaplane pilot forgets to retract landing gear
The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that during the initial climb from an airport runway, he was distracted by other airport traffic and forgot to retract the landing gear. As he approached his destination, which was a lake near Emily, Minn., he stated he did not perform the before landing checklist as he […]
Dragging brake contributes to crash
A CFI and pilot receiving instruction were landing a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 172N at the airport in Loveland, Colo. The CFI reported that after touchdown the airplane veered to the right. He took control of the plane and applied full left rudder and left brake. The plane tracked straight for a moment before it turned right […]
Mechanical failure leads to gear-up landing
The pilot reported that the Cessna 210’s landing gear actuator had been rebuilt and that all ground tests were uneventful. During the takeoff for the maintenance test flight at an airport in Florence, Ore., the landing gear retracted normally. However, when selected to the extend position for landing, the left and right main landing gear […]
Flight to checkride fatal
The solo student pilot departed from an uncontrolled airport in Delta, Colo., to rendezvous with an examiner for his private pilot practical test. Weather conditions were overcast clouds at 600 feet and four miles visibility. After takeoff, the Cessna 182E hit terrain about two miles from the departure end of the runway, on the extended […]
Decision to buzz gun club fatal
Witnesses at a gun club in Paulden, Ariz., reported observing the Cessna 340A make a high-speed, low pass from north to south over the club’s buildings and then maneuver around for another low pass from east to west. During the second low pass, the plane hit a radio tower that was about 50 feet tall, […]