The Cessna 172 pilot reported that, about three miles from the destination airport, the engine experienced a loss of power. During the forced landing to a field near Fresno, California, the 172 hit an unseen set of power lines before touching down in the field. Both the left wing and the empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that, when […]
NTSB Accidents
Formation flight goes awry
At the conclusion of a local formation flight, the flight of weight-shift-control aircraft returned to their home airport in Eustis, Florida, and entered the traffic pattern. During the landing flare, the Storm pilot encountered the “prop wash” of the preceding aircraft, which resulted in his aircraft entering an uncommanded right bank. He attempted to counteract the turn […]
Cessna 310’s landing gear malfunctions
The pilot reported that, after departure, he noticed the Cessna 310’s landing gear did not retract as usual. He began to troubleshoot the problem and actuated the gear-down lever. The landing gear did not extend, and the green landing gear light in the cockpit did not illuminate. He recycled the landing gear, but the gear […]
Sudden wind shift contributes to crash
The pilot was attempting to land on Runway 18 at the airport in Minocqua, Wisconsin, while the wind was 170° at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. He explained that he attempted a three-point landing instead of a wheel landing because the Piper PA-18-150 was equipped with “wheel-penetration skis.” During the flare, snow began blowing directly across the […]
Missed approach proves fatal
The private pilot was conducting a business flight in the Piper PA-34-200T. He had obtained weather briefings on the day before and the day of the flight, which indicated marginal visual flight rules conditions. However, upon arrival in the vicinity of the airport in Port Huron, Michigan, instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, with visibility at or […]
Pilot loses control during climbing turn
After accomplishing a touch and go landing at the airport in Wendover, Utah, during a moonless night, the pilot initiated a left climbing turn and orientated himself with the departure end of the runway by looking outside and behind the Cessna 182. While looking outside, he inadvertently put the airplane into a left steep bank […]
Revelation crashes in cemetery after uncertified engine fails
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight over Ellisville, Mississippi, the Revelation’s engine lost total power. During a forced landing to a cemetery, the left wing hit a tree, and the airplane then veered left and hit a tombstone and nosed over. According to the pilot, the fuel tank was about 3/4 full when the engine lost power. Examination […]
Improper installation buckles flap
During a proficiency flight, one of the pilots was demonstrating a slow-flight recovery procedure. He added power and began retracting the Cessna 182’s flaps. When the flaps passed through 10° toward fully retracted, he felt an uncommanded right yoke control movement. As he applied more pressure to the control yoke to maintain level flight, both […]
Pilot crashes after six unsuccessful approaches
After a 90-minute instrument flight rules flight, the pilot descended toward his home airport in Seagoville, Texas, and attempted six unsuccessful instrument approaches in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The controller terminated three GPS approaches and one instrument landing system approach because the pilot flew through the final approach course; one GPS approach was terminated because […]