The pilot was flying the Piper PA24-250 with two passengers on board to search for lost cattle in mountainous terrain near Collbran, Colo. Witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude. It was reported overdue, and the wreckage was subsequently located in a sparsely wooded area. All three on board died in the crash. […]
NTSB Accidents
Bellanca hits taxiway sign on takeoff
The CFI and student pilot planned to conduct an instructional flight in the tandem-seat, tailwheel-equipped Bellanca 7ECA near San Jose, Calif. The student had a total flight experience of 20 hours, all of which was in the Bellanca. He had not soloed yet. The reported wind was calm with 10 miles visibility. The student was […]
Fuel exhaustion fatal
About an hour and a half into the cross-country flight and while on approach to the airport in Charlottesville, Va., the pilot reported a loss of engine power. He was unable to glide the Beech A36TC to the airport, and it subsequently hit trees and the ground in a residential area about three miles from […]
Loss of control during takeoff brings down 182
The pilot was practicing night takeoffs and landings in a Cessna 182 near Burlington, N.C. He completed two takeoffs and landings without incident. During the third takeoff, as the plane was climbing to between about 10 and 20 feet above ground level, it stopped climbing, and the pilot felt increased resistance on the elevator control. […]
Homebuilt crashes after canopy pops open on takeoff
The pilot reported that, shortly after the Zenith 601XL departed the runway in Leakey, Texas, the canopy popped open. This caused a large amount of drag, so he pushed the nose over to gain airspeed. The plane subsequently landed hard on the runway. Data extracted from the airplane’s primary flight display revealed that the canopy […]
Cessna 210 stalls on takeoff
Prior to takeoff, the pilot performed a run-up of the Cessna 210’s engine and all systems were normal. During the takeoff from the airport in Guymon, Okla., he rotated the plane at 67 knots and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the plane began to descend toward the runway. The pilot attempted to apply aft […]
Decision to continue instrument approach injures four
The Cessna 182 pilot reported that during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach in instrument meteorological conditions, she descended into fog about 1,000 feet above ground level near Hillsboro, Ore. She continued the approach beyond the minimum descent altitude and stated that she did not see the runway or runway environment until she was beyond […]
Pilot distracted on takeoff when door pops open
The pilot reported that during takeoff with a gusting crosswind at the airport in Laural, Mont., he was surprised by the Aviat A-1C-200’s door popping open as the right wing lifted up. He attempted to level the wings, but was unsuccessful. The left wing tip touched the grass beside the runway, the airplane pivoted around, and […]
Non-certificated pilot crashes 152
During a pleasure flight, the non-certificated pilot attempted twice to land the Cessna 152 at the airport in St. Ignatius, Mont. On the first attempt, he stated that the approach was too fast and too high, so he performed a go-around. On the accident landing, the 152 landed farther down the 2,610-foot runway than he […]