The passenger reported that he could not remember if the pilot of the Maule M5 checked the fuel before the flight, which originated from Woodinville, Wash. The passenger told investigators that it took several tries to get the engine to start. About 30 minutes into the flight, the engine started to sputter, then stopped. The […]
NTSB Accidents
Unlatched canopy distracts pilot
According to the pilot of the Evektor Sportstar, during the takeoff from the runway in San Jose, Calif., the cockpit canopy began to open and rotate forward. The airplane had lifted off and was about 10 feet above the runway when the pilot reached up with his right hand to grab the canopy and hold […]
Fuel flow problem for Glasair II
According to the pilot of the Glasair II, when the plane was in cruise flight near Spanish Fork, Utah, it experienced fuel flow problems. He activated the fuel system boost pump, putting it on the high-boost setting. As he neared the destination airport, the engine quit. The airplane did not have enough altitude to glide to […]
Improper rigging brings down experimental aircraft
The BD-5, an experimental amateur-built airplane equipped with an automobile engine, was never certified as airworthy, therefore, it was never issued an airworthiness certificate. The pilot reported that he intended to perform a fly-by before landing at the airport in Mount Airy, N.C. As he approached the runway about 50 feet above ground level, and […]
Test flight kills three
The Piper Cheyenne had not been flown for about four months and was being prepared for export. The pilot, accompanied by two passengers, was attempting a local test flight out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after avionics upgrades had been performed. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot transmitted that he was experiencing an emergency, but he did […]
Misplaced fuel selector valve brings down Piper
The pilot of the Piper Saratoga was conducting a GPS instrument approach near Stafford, Virginia, with the autopilot engaged when the engine lost power. He adjusted the airplane to obtain the best-glide airspeed and tried to troubleshoot the problem, but was unable to restore engine power. He chose to land in a nearby field because […]
Go-around goes bad for student pilot
The student pilot was attempting to land the Cessna 172 at Gila Bend, Ariz., when the airplane drifted to the left. He applied full power for a go-around. The airplane continued to the left during the go-around, hitting a tree on the left side of the runway, and then crashed. The pilot received minor injuries. […]
Downhill runway, distraction bad for new Aztec pilot
The flight was to be the private pilot’s first multiengine lesson in the Piper Aztec originating out of Hillsboro, Ore. Both the student receiving instruction and the MEI performed an uneventful preflight check and run-up, which included a check of the brakes and the security of the cabin door. During the takeoff roll, the cabin […]
Cessna runs out of fuel on approach
According to the pilot, the Cessna 172 lost power as it approached the destination airport in Temecula, Calif. He attempted to restart the engine, but was not successful, so he decided to land on a nearby street. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a chain link fence and sustained substantial damage to the engine […]