The solo student pilot departed from an uncontrolled airport in Delta, Colo., to rendezvous with an examiner for his private pilot practical test. Weather conditions were overcast clouds at 600 feet and four miles visibility. After takeoff, the Cessna 182E hit terrain about two miles from the departure end of the runway, on the extended […]
NTSB Accidents
Decision to buzz gun club fatal
Witnesses at a gun club in Paulden, Ariz., reported observing the Cessna 340A make a high-speed, low pass from north to south over the club’s buildings and then maneuver around for another low pass from east to west. During the second low pass, the plane hit a radio tower that was about 50 feet tall, […]
Jammed rudder brings down Zenith CH701
The pilot reported that, during a test flight, the Zenith CH701 encountered moderate turbulence so he decided to return to the airport in Snohomish, Wash. While turning to the crosswind leg in the pattern, the plane suddenly banked sharply and descended uncontrollably. The pilot was able to regain control about 500 feet above ground level, […]
Distracted ag pilot crashes
The Air Tractor 402B pilot reported that he was reading a map in an effort to identify the correct field to spray while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions near Wellton, Ariz. While maneuvering in a turn he didn’t realize the airplane was descending and it subsequently collided with terrain. The wings and […]
Banner tow plane hits parked car
The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the banner tow flight near Gainesville, Florida, he noticed that the Cessna 172 had descended about 100 feet from its established altitude. He responded by increasing engine power and enriching the mixture while observing that the oil temperature gauge was indicating “hotter than normal.” The plane continued […]
Balloon hits power lines
The pilot and passenger departed on a balloon flight and had been airborne for a little over an hour before making three attempts to land near Rio Rancho, N.M. The wind was too strong on the first attempt. On the next attempt, they found themselves over a residential subdivision that prevented them from landing. The […]
Loss of engine power brings down C-170
The Cessna 170 had not been flown for about eight months. Before departing to practice landings at the airport in Ridgely, Maryland, the owner added aviation gasoline to the fuel tanks, which also contained automotive gasoline that had been added about six to eight months previously. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, […]
Foreign material blocks fuel flow, brings down Beech S35
The Beech S35 pilot reported that he was making a straight-in approach to land at the airport in Brownwood, Texas, when the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently hit trees, cacti, and terrain during the attempted off-airport landing, and a post-impact fire ensued, which destroyed the […]
Plane hits deer
The pilot reported that he was landing at a non-towered airport in Onaway, Mich., at night to drop off a passenger. During the landing flare just prior to touchdown, he saw three deer run onto the runway out of his periphery. One of the deer ran on to the runway and was hit by the […]