The pilot of an experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he felt pressured by a trailing airplane while in the traffic pattern at the airport in Grass Valley, California. He further reported that this pressure caused him to turn base and then final sooner than expected, which resulted in an increased airspeed and higher than expected […]
NTSB Accidents
Fuel exhaustion brings down 182
According to the FAA Aviation Safety Inspector who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident near Reno, Nevada, he located the uninjured pilot in command (PIC) and a passenger-rated pilot who were the only occupants of the airplane. The inspector reported that the PIC told him that he had fueled the Cessna 182 prior […]
Instructional flight ends fatally
The sport pilot had recently purchased the airframe-parachute-equipped light-sport airplane, a Jihlavan Airplanes SRO KP 5 ASA, and was receiving instruction in it to satisfy insurance requirements. Radar data indicated that, during the flight, the airplane’s groundspeed decreased from 94 to 62 knots, consistent with airwork including slow flight and stall practice. Subsequently, several witnesses […]
Fuel exhaustion leads to student’s forced landing
The solo student pilot reported that while on a cross-country flight the Cessna 150’s engine started to “sputter” and then stopped. During the forced landing near Albuquerque, N.M., the plane hit a ravine, sustaining substantial damage to the engine mount. The airplane recovery specialist reported that he drained about two gallons of fuel from the fuel […]
Carb icing leads to Beech C23’s water ditching
The pilot reported that, during the climb-to-cruise portion of the cross-country interisland flight over open ocean water, the Beech C23’s engine began to run roughly. He applied carburetor heat, which resolved the engine roughness. He decided to continue his flight. As the flight approached his destination, the engine began running roughly again, accompanied by a significant […]
Two die in crash off California coast
The flight instructor and student pilot departed for an instructional flight from an airport on Catalina Island en route back to their home airport on the mainland. A review of radar data indicated that the Cessna 172 took off with its transponder in the “off” position, so no altitude information was available. The data indicated […]
Piper prop hits tree
According to the pilot, on short final during landing, he thought he had cleared the trees on the approach end of the private airstrip in Shulin Lake, Alaska. He aimed for his landing spot, but the propeller struck a tree and the Piper PA-18 hit the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both […]
Pinched fuel line leads to forced landing
The student pilot reported that, during cruise flight in the experimental light-sport airplane, a Rans S5, he encountered moderate turbulence. The engine then experienced a total loss of power. Following an uneventful landing in an open field near Lodi, California, he found that a fuel line was pinched between his seat and the fuselage. After […]
Sightseeing flight goes awry
The pilot was conducting a local sightseeing flight near Warner, N.H., in visual meteorological conditions when the American Champion 7GCBC inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions. While maneuvering, he lost visual reference with the ground. The airplane entered a steep descending turn, and hit trees. Both wings separated from the airframe and the fuselage was crushed. […]