NTSB Accidents

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tree foliage on the left side of the runway during takeoff due to his focus on the right side of the runway.

Probable cause: A stuck No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in failure of the associated rocker arm, a partial loss of engine power, and the subsequent forced landing into tall vegetation.

Probable cause: The loss of two securing bolts that allowed the left magneto to move around, which disrupted the spark timing and resulted in the engine losing total power.

Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart with an inoperative left magneto, which resulted in degraded climb performance in high-density altitude conditions and a subsequent emergency landing.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a charted and illuminated television/radio tower.

Probable cause: The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain after misidentifying the destination airport during a period of restricted visibility due to weather.

Probable cause: The delayed application of carburetor heat by the pilot which led to accumulation of carburetor ice, eventual loss of engine power, and the subsequent forced landing in high vegetation.

Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s failure to ensure that the left-wing fuel cap was secure before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to monitor fuel levels while in flight.

Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation when organic debris restricted available fuel to the carburetor, and the pilot’s impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol, which affected his ability to safely operate the airplane following the loss of engine power.