Aircraft: Cessna 177. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Branson, Mo. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The accident occurred as the pilot attempted to make a night landing on a lighted runway. He reported that the plane was not properly aligned with the runway centerline, so he performed a go-around. During the go-around he lost control after losing external […]
NTSB Accidents
Airplane hits power lines
Aircraft: Republic RC-3 Seabee. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Cedar Bluff, Ala. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot of the amphibious airplane flew to visit a friend who lived on the shore of a lake. According to the pilot’s friend, the pilot normally approached the lake from the north, made a left 180° turn, and then landed […]
Disoriented pilot crashes
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: 5 Fatal. Location: Willard, Mo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The accident happened when the pilot attempted an ILS approach in night instrument meteorological conditions. The radar track data indicated that the airplane crossed the final approach course near the initial approach fix, about 11 miles from the runway. The airplane drifted through […]
Inflight break up for Aztec
Aircraft: Piper Aztec. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Bullard, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Witnesses noticed the airplane making several turns before it pitched nose-up, climbed, rolled to the right, and then descended nose-down to the ground. Several witnesses observed airplane components floating to the ground behind the airplane. All witnesses reported hearing loud engine noises throughout […]
Fuel starvation brings down Lancair
Aircraft: Lancair IV. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Winnsboro, La. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The purpose of the flight was to calibrate the fuel system on the homebuilt aircraft. Several witnesses on the ground heard an increase in engine rpm consistent with the pilot adding power to perform a go-around, then heard the engine lose power. The nose pitched […]
Maule caught in crosswind
Aircraft: Maule MXT-180A. Injuries: None. Location: Manzanita, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot said everything seemed normal as the airplane crossed over the trees on final approach, and it was lined up with the runway centerline. But before the plane touched down, the wind shifted to a crosswind, and the airplane veered to the side […]
Tailwind takeoff leads to accident
Aircraft: Piper Pawnee. Injuries: None. Location: Harvey, N.D. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Prior to taking off on the aerial application flight, the pilot loaded applicant and fuel which, as reported by the pilot, put the airplane slightly over its maximum gross weight. In addition, he checked the automated report for the nearest airplane weather facility, which […]
Piper pilot flies into rising terrain
Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor. Location: McNeal, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was taking a passenger on a tour of the local area, had previously conducted such flights, and had a normal route that he followed. However, on this occasion, he deviated from that route to “do something a […]
Thunderstorm claims two lives
Aircraft: Zenair CH 2000. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Nephi, Utah. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Several people on the ground saw the airplane flying low in the airport pattern during a thunderstorm. As the plane turned from a crosswind to a downwind leg, airplane stalled at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, pitched down and crashed. A […]