The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight in an Ercoupe 415 when the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after, the engine lost power and seized. [Read more…]

In an email sent to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector by the student pilot, he reported that the experimental seaplane, an Aventura II, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff about 400 feet above the ground near Fenton, Michigan.

He turned the seaplane toward the lake but as he ran out of “speed,” he “pitched it to the right into some trees.” [Read more…]

While on a cross-country flight over an area of mountainous terrain near Homer, Alaska, the Cessna 140 pilot noticed a bear near the entrance to a mountain pass. While orbiting over the bear, a strong downdraft emanating from the pass entrance caused the airplane to descend toward the saddle of the mountain pass. [Read more…]

The flight instructor reported that, during the initial climb for the instructional flight with the student pilot/owner at the controls of the Luscombe 8A, the engine began to lose power.

The flight instructor assumed the controls and attempted a forced landing on a road in a residential area near Mount Dora, Florida. [Read more…]

The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was “blown” outside of the Evektor Sportstar at the airport in Eufaula, Alabama.

After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he “scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist.” [Read more…]

During a cross country flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur-built Mustang II encountered thunderstorms along his route. This added an additional 45 minutes of unanticipated flight time.

He was concerned that night conditions were present, his airplane was not equipped with a landing light, and his destination airport was not lighted. As a result, he decided to divert to an airport in Palatka, Florida, that was equipped with lighting and had a longer paved runway. [Read more…]

The pilot reported that while conducting banner towing operations in Renton, Washington, after the Cessna 150 passed through the banner pick up gates, he applied full throttle and pitched the nose of the airplane up.

Once the airspeed reached 40 miles per hour, he looked back to ensure that the banner pickup was successful. [Read more…]

During a pilot competency checkride in Belgrade, Montana, while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the pilot reported that the examiner requested a zero flap, power off, 180° approach and landing.

As the Pilatus PC-12 arrived at the threshold, the pilot noted higher than normal airspeed and a greater than normal approach angle of attack. [Read more…]

In preparation for a local flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the Cessna 210, which included checking the fuel gauges, but he did not look into the fuel tanks to verify the fuel quantity.

He recalled that both fuel gauges indicated below half full. [Read more…]