Aircraft: KR2. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Newberry Springs, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot had no previous experience in the experimental airplane, although he did have the last registered owner of the airplane give him a one-hour overview of the airplane, including a demonstration of the flight controls. The previous owner stated […]
Downdraft catches Kitfox
Aircraft: Kitfox Classic IV. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Myrtle Creek, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: While taxiing to the run-up area, the pilot noted the windsock aligned with his intended departure runway. Following an uneventful engine run-up, he taxied onto the runway and noted the windsock shifted to a 90° crosswind, then realign […]
Hard landing for Piper
Aircraft: Piper Malibu. Injuries: None. Location: Allentown, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land in a gusting crosswind. He applied a crosswind correction intending to land first on the the right main wheel, which was into the wind. The airplane touched down harder than the pilot intended and swerved […]
Unlicensed pilot uses closed airport
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: 2 Serious. Location: Welch, W.Va. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, whose student pilot certificate was expired, was practicing landings with a tailwind in the traffic pattern at a closed airport in an unregistered airplane. According to FAA records, the airplane was registered to an individual in Georgia, but […]
Hard landing for Liberty
Aircraft: Liberty XL-2. Injuries: None. Location: Burlington, N.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the student pilot, he was attempting a second touch-and-go landing and takeoff. As he turned onto final approach, another airplane was crossing the runway threshold for a full stop landing. The pilot continued the approach, but slowed the airplane […]
Gear gives out on Mooney
Aircraft: Mooney M20J. Injuries: None. Location: Romeoville, Illinois. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane was touching down when the left main landing gear collapsed. It subsequently veered to the left and hit a runway edge identifier light. A post-accident examination confirmed that the left main landing gear had partially collapsed into its wheel […]
Deep snow traps Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 150. Injuries: None. Location: Grass Valley, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a snow-covered runway. He obtained an automated weather observation report from the non-towered airport, with no indication on the recording that the runway was closed. Shortly after touchdown, as the airplane began its […]
Headwind distracts pilot
Aircraft: Beech G35. Injuries: None. Location: Brenham, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was attempting to land at a busy non-towered airport, encountered a strong gusty headwind during the approach. Distracted by the headwind, he forgot to extend the landing gear. After the airplane came to a stop, he removed his […]
Poor maintenance results in accident
Aircraft: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2. Injuries: None. Location: Kingsville, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The purpose of the flight was to give the pilot a chance to practice aerobatic maneuvers for an upcoming airshow. After completing a hammerhead turn, he felt a slight vibration and the pitch control felt unusual. Returning to the airport, […]