Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to depart with the airplane over maximum gross weight, which reduced the climb performance and resulted in a collision with a tree.
aviation accidents
Pilot’s Attempt to Power Through Fails
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and his decision to continue the takeoff from the soft turf runway.
High Desert Disaster
The Accident Case Study recreates the tragic events that led a novice backcountry pilot to crash on final approach to a backcountry airstrip in California’s Mojave Desert in 2021, killing both himself and his pilot-rated passenger.
Pilot Skids Off Runway During Landing
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath to the runway, which resulted in a runway undershoot and collision with terrain.
Bearing Failure Leads to Engine Failure
Probable Cause: A bearing failure that resulted in fatigue failure of the crankshaft and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Distracted Pilot Forgets to Extend Landing Gear
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
Plane Crashes On Way to Overdue Annual Inspection
Probable Cause: The pilot/owner’s failure to ensure adequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff.
Is Your Airplane’s Seat Belt Up to Standards?
The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin following reports of restraint system failures in general aviation accidents, leading to serious injury and death.
Improperly Installed Fuel Line Leads to Fuel Starvation in New LSA
Probable Cause: The improper installation of the fuel line that connected the fuel pump to the four-way distributor, which resulted in fuel starvation when the line became disconnected.