aviation accidents

During the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing at the airport in Apopka, Florida, a flight of birds flew in front of the Cessna 150 and caused a bird strike on the right side of the airplane. The pilot aborted the takeoff, landed on the runway, and was unable to stop as he reported there was “no […]

The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the experimental airplane, a Skybolt. He planned a fuel stop during his long cross-country flight based on an estimated 12 gallons per hour fuel consumption rate. He added his estimated fuel consumption rate did not account for the fact that the engine had been […]

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight in an Ercoupe 415 when the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after, the engine lost power and seized. The pilot then made a forced landing on a beach near Saint Martin Island, Michigan. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod bearing had failed and that […]

In an email sent to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector by the student pilot, he reported that the experimental seaplane, an Aventura II, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff about 400 feet above the ground near Fenton, Michigan. He turned the seaplane toward the lake but as he ran out of “speed,” he […]

While on a cross-country flight over an area of mountainous terrain near Homer, Alaska, the Cessna 140 pilot noticed a bear near the entrance to a mountain pass. While orbiting over the bear, a strong downdraft emanating from the pass entrance caused the airplane to descend toward the saddle of the mountain pass. The pilot […]

The flight instructor reported that, during the initial climb for the instructional flight with the student pilot/owner at the controls of the Luscombe 8A, the engine began to lose power. The flight instructor assumed the controls and attempted a forced landing on a road in a residential area near Mount Dora, Florida. During the forced […]

The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was “blown” outside of the Evektor Sportstar at the airport in Eufaula, Alabama. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he “scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist.” As the main landing gear […]

During a cross country flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur-built Mustang II encountered thunderstorms along his route. This added an additional 45 minutes of unanticipated flight time. He was concerned that night conditions were present, his airplane was not equipped with a landing light, and his destination airport was not lighted. As a result, he decided […]

The pilot reported that while conducting banner towing operations in Renton, Washington, after the Cessna 150 passed through the banner pick up gates, he applied full throttle and pitched the nose of the airplane up. Once the airspeed reached 40 miles per hour, he looked back to ensure that the banner pickup was successful. When he turned […]