Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting low-level altitude operations, following an encounter with wake turbulence.
NTSB Accidents
SeaRey Crashes When Muffler and Tailpipe Separate From Plane During Flight
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly separating from its attach points and impacting the propeller.
Missing Hardware Leads to Experimental’s Crash
Probable Cause: The loss of elevator control during flight due to the elevator control rod and its hardware disconnecting from its installation area, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate inspection of the airplane and improperly performing the condition inspection without holding a repairman certificate.
Plane Ends Up in Swamp When Pilot Loses Control During Go-Around
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during the go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane’s flaps during the go-around.
Aeronca Crashes in River
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat.
Severe Turbulence, Airplane Issues Distract Pilot on Landing
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to extend and verify landing gear extension which resulted in a wheels-up landing. Contributing was the increased workload due to several airplane issues that occurred during the descent in severe turbulence.
Pilot Crashes in Box Canyon
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadvertent entry to a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.
Crop Duster Collides With Ducks
Probable Cause: A low-level collision and engine ingestion with ducks, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, a forced landing, and a subsequent nose over.
Builder Error Proves Fatal for RV-12 Pilot
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick pushrod assemblies, which resulted in separation of the left pushrod and a total loss of roll control during flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to detect the installation error during the airplane’s construction, inspection, and subsequent maintenance.