The pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported that while in cruise flight, both of the Cessna 310’s engines experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot selected an open field near Aurora, Colo., and made a forced landing. Due to rough terrain, the plane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that the […]
NTSB Accidents
Crash after wake turbulence injures two
According to air traffic control (ATC) audio recordings, a tower controller cleared the Diamond DA20 for takeoff from the airport in Fort Carson, Colo., about 23 seconds after a UH-60 helicopter was cleared for takeoff from a midfield location. The tower controller ensured that a runway separation standard of 3,000 feet was present and did […]
Fire detection flight fatal
The commercial pilot departed on a fire detection flight for a state fire commission using a predetermined flight route. He was receiving flight-following services from the dispatch center and was reporting his flight progress to a dispatcher. He reported entering the eastern boundary of the forest district near Oden, Ark., and then turning north toward […]
CAP 172 crashes in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The pilot of a small plane that smashed into a building in downtown Anchorage on Tuesday was not authorized to fly the aircraft used in volunteer search-and-rescue missions, Civil Air Patrol authorities said. According to a report from NBCNews.com, Doug Demarest, 42, of Anchorage, died when the Cessna 172 clipped an office […]
Pilot loses control during landing
The pilot reported that just prior to landing in Kalispell, Mont., he noted there was ice on the Beech 58’s wings. He activated the de-ice boots and proceeded to land. During the landing flare, about 12 feet above the ground, the plane buffeted and the nose lowered. The pilot added full power to initiate a […]
Spatial disorientiation, lack of instrument proficiency fatal combination
The pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan with flight services, and the briefer asked if he would like weather information. The pilot replied “no,” and stated that the weather “looked good.” However, at that time, the weather at the destination airport included visibility of 2 miles and a 400-foot overcast ceiling. The […]
VFR into IMC ends in crash into mountain
According to the pilot, he departed the Nashville area earlier in the day in his Rans S-6S and was en route to Greenville, South Carolina, at 9,500 feet above mean sea level (msl). He checked the automated surface observing systems weather report and that the clouds in the Morristown, Tennessee, area were reported to be […]
Plane hits runway sign during touch-and-go
The CFI reported that he and the private pilot had returned to the airport in Chandler, Ariz., to practice touch-and-go landings. On the third touch-and-go landing, the Aviat S 2C drifted to the right side of the runway just before touching down. The CFI subsequently took the controls and executed a go-around. During the go-around, […]
Search for lost cattle ends in fatal crash
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. […]