The pilot reported that during final approach he observed “prairie dog holes” on the private grass runway in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The touchdown was “normal,” but during the rollout he observed additional prairie dog holes ahead and applied the brakes. Subsequently, the Backcountry SuperCub skidded for about 50 feet on the “soft and sandy” area […]
aviation accidents
Loss of control fatal
The non-instrument-rated private pilot departed on a cross-country flight in night visual meteorological conditions in the Flight Design CTLS. After takeoff, the pilot leveled the airplane at an altitude about 1,400 feet mean sea level (msl) and continued toward the destination airport for about 30 minutes until he requested and was cleared by air traffic […]
Propeller separates from Sonex in flight
The private pilot, who was also the builder of the experimental, amateur-built Sonex, reported that, during initial climb for the local flight, about 3,000 feet mean sea level, the propeller separated from the airplane and fell to the ground. He turned the airplane toward an airport in Morganton, N.C., that had a longer runway than […]
Fuel starvation leads to forced landing
The pilot reported that he had filled the Rans S6S fuel tanks the day before the cross-country flight, but did not visually check the fuel level in the tanks during the preflight inspection. He estimated the flight would take about 1.5 hours, and full fuel tanks would have given him more than three hours of […]
Surviving a crash
Every pilot needs to prepare for the unexpected. Although surviving a crash is one of those “I hope it never happens” events, it’s something you need to consider for yourself and your passengers. If something happens, your passengers will look to you for leadership and survival. The latest edition of the FAA’s FlySafe Campaign, designed […]
Student loses control on landing roll
The student pilot reported that during the landing roll at the airport in Perry, N.Y., he heard something fall in the back seat. He looked back and when he looked forward again the Piper PA 28-140 had veered to the right. He attempted to correct with the rudder, but reported that he “overcorrected” to the […]
Formation flight ends fatally
The airline transport pilot and a passenger were conducting a formation pleasure/sightseeing flight in an Aviat A-1C-200 with another airplane in mountainous terrain near Swan Valley, Idaho. The pilot of the second airplane, who was flying behind the Aviat, stated that the two airplanes flew into a canyon area. As they approached a ridgeline, the […]
Piper’s return journey over mountains ends fatally
The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger completed a cross-country flight from their home base to another airport in the Piper PA-28R-180 earlier that day. They delayed their initial planned departure time for that flight due to weather concerns, ultimately arriving three hours later than planned. During that flight, they flew over a high […]
SR22 hits power lines
The private pilot was flying a night visual pattern to a non-towered airport in Lancaster, Texas. Due to another airplane on final approach, he extended the downwind leg to create spacing. While on the extended final in a rural area with low lighting, he descended the airplane well below a proper glidepath to the runway […]