The pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the RV-7A, departed for a cross-country flight from his home airport near Jackson Hole, Wyo. Witnesses reported that, following departure, they observed the airplane climb to about 500 to 600 feet above ground level while it was maneuvering onto the downwind leg. Witnesses also reported that the […]
NTSB Accidents
Aborted takeoff bends Piper
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a snow-covered mountain ridge line near Delta Junction, Alaska, the Piper PA 18-150 did not attain sufficient airspeed to takeoff before reaching the end of the site, so he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane rolled to the end of the site and hit an […]
Wrong wheels contribute to Parrakeet accident
The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel fractured on the Parrakeet. The experimental-homebuilt airplane subsequently veered off the runway in Castroville, Texas, and flipped over. Post-accident examination of the fractured left main wheel revealed that the wheel failed due to overstress of the cast aluminum alloy. No evidence of […]
Failure to maintain proper glide path dings Kitfox
The pilot reported that during a landing at a remote dirt airstrip near Cascade, Idaho, while on short final, the Kitfox encountered a downdraft that resulted in a touchdown short of the runway. After impact the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame, the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and the engine […]
Mooney hits power lines
The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the Mooney M20J about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a loss of power. He initiated a forced landing to a road near Lund, Nevada, however the engine regained power before the airplane landed. As the plane began to climb out, it hit power lines. […]
Hawk hits Bellanca on takeoff
During the takeoff roll, a hawk struck the Bellanca’s windscreen and then struck the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The plane veered to the right, exited the runway in Delavan, Wis., and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder, while the pilot sustained minor injuries. A post-accident examination revealed that […]
Cessna 182 hits fence
After an uneventful departure, climb, and cruise, the pilot performed a standard 45° entry into the traffic pattern at the high elevation airport in Big Bear, Calif. The Cessna 182Q descended low during the final approach, and the pilot applied full forward throttle control. The engine responded, however the descent was not arrested as he […]
Failure to maintain control during go-around proves fatal
The Cirrus SR20 was captured on airport surveillance cameras as the pilot attempted to land in Bolingbrook, Ill. A review of the video revealed that the plane touched down multiple times about halfway down the runway. During the go-around, witnesses reported that they observed the SR20 depart the runway and make a left turn at […]
RV-6 hits power lines
Witnesses reported observing the RV-6 traveling very low and fast over terrain near Williams, Calif. They then saw the airplane disappear behind a hill, followed by rising black smoke. During the post-accident on-site examination, the lowest wire of a high-tension power line that crossed over a shallow valley was found broken, and a fragment of […]