Aircraft: Luscombe 8A. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Dixie, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: While the airplane was in cruise flight, the pilot noticed the engine oil temperature rising. He reduced power and headed toward the nearest airport. The airplane was four miles from the destination at an altitude of about 1,000 feet AGL when […]
Ferry flight ends badly
Aircraft: Taylorcraft BL-65. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Easton, Mo. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane had been inactive for some time. The purpose of the flight was to ferry it to another airport to complete the annual inspection. The most recent annual inspection was completed in June 2005. The inspection had begun in June with the […]
Poor planning leads to off-airport landing
Aircraft: Piper Tomahawk. Injuries: None. Location: Centerburg, Ohio. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot visually checked the fuel level in the tanks. The left tank contained about six gallons and the right tank contained about 10 gallons. Shortly after takeoff, he switched the fuel selector from the left tank, which was now indicating one to two […]
VFR into IMC kills three
Aircraft: Piper Lance. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Location: Peru, W.Va. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was not instrument rated, obtained a weather briefing earlier in the evening, and was informed that VFR flight was not recommended. He took off into the dark night. Thirty minutes into the flight he obtained an in-flight weather briefing indicating […]
Fuel selector misplacement for Swift
Aircraft: Globe Swift. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Ewell, M. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot stated that the fuel tanks were filled prior to departure. The airplane was equipped with main and auxiliary fuel tanks that held 26 and nine gallons of fuel, respectively. The engine burned about nine gallons of fuel per hour. […]
Poor fuel management for Mooney
Aircraft: Mooney M20. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Ridgefield, Conn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot told investigators that he did a preflight inspection, including a visual check of the fuel quantity. The fuel gauges indicated half tanks, which corresponded with 14 to 19 gallons in each side. It took two attempts to start the engine. The […]
Strong crosswind crunches wing
Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Injuries: None. Location: Grangeville, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot said the landing was normal, but during the rollout the wind shifted and gusted up to 17 knots. As he turned the airplane off the runway, he did not increase engine power or use the brakes to maintain control, and the […]
Go-around gets ugly
Aircraft: Mooney M20K. Injuries: None. Location: Anderson, S.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, the landing was normal but during the rollout, when the airplane was about halfway down the runway, the wind shifted to a strong tailwind, which lifted up the tail. The airplane veered to the left. The pilot applied full power […]
Flat tire compromises landing
Aircraft: Glasair III. Injuries: None. Location: Kanab, Utah. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, he felt a vibration upon landing, followed by the airplane pulling to the left. He added right brake in an attempt to regain control of the airplane, but it continued to the left and went off the side of the […]