aviation accidents

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Wall, S.D., the Air Tractor AT-401 would not climb above terrain at the end of the runway. It hit the ground, coming to rest in a wheat field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right aileron, and fuselage. The pilot reported […]

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the Cessna 180’s seat slid to its full aft position. He was unable to reach the control pedals and attempted to abort the takeoff. He was not able to control the airplane and it yawed left into a ground loop near Waterloo, Iowa. The airplane sustained substantial damage to […]

The pilot stated that during high-speed taxi after a water landing near Mineral, Virginia, he encountered the wake from a boat. The sponson (float) “caught the water” on the second wave and the Lake LA 4 made a right turn. The airplane subsequently hit a dock, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The […]

The pilot reported that while on a cross-country flight, as the Cessna 206 was about 30 miles from the destination, the engine began to surge and lose power. In an attempt to restore full engine power, he switched the fuel selector valve from the right fuel tank to the left tank, placed the fuel mixture to the […]

The pilot reported that he was on a local flight in mountainous terrain near Durango, Colorado, in a Cessna 150. While returning to the airport he began a descent by reducing power to about 60%, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. The pilot applied full carburetor heat and full throttle and the […]

According to the pilot, while flying over a river at an altitude of about 100 feet above water and ground level, at 250 knots, the Aero Vodochody 39 hit unmarked power line wires that spanned the river near Grand Junction, Colorado. The power line wires are clearly identified on the Visual Flight Rules Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The […]

The pilot reported that, while climbing after a touch-and-go landing, the Bellanca 8KCAB began an uncommanded left bank. He perceived that the ailerons were jammed and attempted to regain control of the airplane; however, he was not successful, so he performed a forced landing to the airport in Superior, Wisconsin. A post-accident examination of the airplane found […]

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock. He reported that the crosswind pushed the Cessna 172 off the right side of the runway at the airport in Sussex, N.J., into the grass, […]

In an email sent to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector by the pilot, he reported that he was unable to manipulate the fuel station pumps where he had landed, so he decided to fly to another airfield that was about 20 miles away. He wrote that somehow he did not make the right turn and became […]