Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a safe distance between the airplane and a person on the ground, which resulted in serious injuries to the person.
NTSB Accidents
Piper hits barn after thwarted takeoff
Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to continue to attempt to take off despite the airplane’s inability to attain a positive climb rate, which resulted in little runway remaining, and his subsequent decision to turn off the runway, whic
Incorrectly installed wings contribute to accident
Probable cause: The pilot’s difficulty controlling the airplane due to his incorrect reinstallation of the wings, which led to a bounced precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and the mechanic to veri
Window blows open during takeoff
Probable cause: The student pilot’s decision to attempt to close the cockpit window during takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.
Plane hits helicopter during takeoff
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll with gusting wind conditions.
Lack of safety wires contributes to homebuilt’s crash
Probable cause: The airplane builder’s failure to install safety wires on the brake disc attachment bolts, and the mechanic’s failure to identify the omission during the condition inspection. The subsequent brake disc separation resulted in a loss of di
Wiring failure leads to forced landing
Probable cause: A failure of the wiring between the engine control unit and the fuel injector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Search mission ends fatally
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in high winds, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center of gravity limits.
Wrong part leads to fuel starvation
Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of a threaded metal rod of insufficient strength to connect the fuel tank selector handle to the fuel valve, which resulted in his inability to switch fuel tanks and a subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.



