In a new blog post, Leah Read, a senior air safety investigator in the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety, warns against turning a blind eye to risky behavior in another pilot. She notes that when NTSB investigators arrive at the scene of a fatal accident, they soon pick up on clues that the pilot exhibited […]
aviation accidents
First flight after overhauled engine installed goes badly
The sport pilot/mechanic reported that the accident happened on the first flight in the experimental, amateur-built Ginny B after he installed an overhauled engine. About 30 minutes after takeoff, the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of power and would not restart. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a grass field near South […]
Improper soft-field landing technique bends RV-9
The pilot reported that while landing on a grass airstrip in Allison, Iowa, the RV-9’s nose landing gear “caught” on the soft turf and collapsed. The airplane slid about 60′, the forward portion of the fuselage hit terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and […]
Low altitude, airspeed bad combination
The non-certificated pilot reported that he conducted a low approach over the turf runway in Neshkoro, Wisconsin, at 50′ above ground level with the engine power at idle. About halfway down the runway, he applied full power, but the engine did not respond. He entered a shallow left turn and slowed the Challenger II to stall […]
Takeoff in crosswind bends landing gear
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll about 60 knots with a “slight” crosswind, he “felt an abrupt” turn to the right, heard a “huge steady scrape” sound, and noted a vibration. Airborne at 65 knots, he reported a strong gust of wind from the left that felt like a quartering tail wind. He […]
Partial loss of engine power leads to Piper’s forced landing
The private pilot reported that, after a preflight inspection and engine run-up revealed no anomalies, he and a passenger departed, circled a nearby mountain, then descended to an altitude about 750′ above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the Piper PA-22’s engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power, but was […]
Pilot seriously injured after ‘late’ go-around
The airline transport pilot was landing the experimental amateur-built Jodel F11A at his 1,600′ private runway in Marathon, Texas, when he attempted a “late” go-around. The airplane hit trees, a powerline, and terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot was seriously injured in the crash. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions […]
What happens if I have an accident?
A recent post from insurance company Global Aerospace details what you should do if you are involved in an aircraft accident. It’s full of tips that can help all aircraft owners. What Can Trigger a Claim? Most aircraft insurance policies respond to two types of claims: Those that involve physical damage to the insured aircraft […]
Inexperienced pilot crashes trike
The non-certificated pilot reported that, after takeoff in the North Wing Apache, a light sport trike, about 200′ above ground level, he heard a popping sound and the aircraft yawed to the right. He heard the sound a second time, and the aircraft turned hard to the right. He applied full engine power in an attempt to […]