aviation accidents

The pilot reported that, shortly after the Zenith 601XL departed the runway in Leakey, Texas, the canopy popped open. This caused a large amount of drag, so he pushed the nose over to gain airspeed. The plane subsequently landed hard on the runway. Data extracted from the airplane’s primary flight display revealed that the canopy […]

Prior to takeoff, the pilot performed a run-up of the Cessna 210’s engine and all systems were normal. During the takeoff from the airport in Guymon, Okla., he rotated the plane at 67 knots and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the plane began to descend toward the runway. The pilot attempted to apply aft […]

The Cessna 182 pilot reported that during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach in instrument meteorological conditions, she descended into fog about 1,000 feet above ground level near Hillsboro, Ore. She continued the approach beyond the minimum descent altitude and stated that she did not see the runway or runway environment until she was beyond […]

The pilot reported that during takeoff with a gusting crosswind at the airport in Laural, Mont., he was surprised by the Aviat A-1C-200’s door popping open as the right wing lifted up. He attempted to level the wings, but was unsuccessful. The left wing tip touched the grass beside the runway, the airplane pivoted around, and […]

During a pleasure flight, the non-certificated pilot attempted twice to land the Cessna 152 at the airport in St. Ignatius, Mont. On the first attempt, he stated that the approach was too fast and too high, so he performed a go-around. On the accident landing, the 152 landed farther down the 2,610-foot runway than he […]

The private pilot stated that shortly after he descended the Cessna 150 and leveled off at 6,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine sputtered and lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing into a cement mixing yard near Henderson, Nevada, shearing off the landing gear […]

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the Stinson 108’s engine began to sputter and that it eventually lost all power. He was unable to return to the airport and initiated a forced landing to an open field near Lodi, Calif. During the landing, the plane hit a berm, nosed over, and then came to […]

During a cross-country flight, the Cessna 182’s engine sputtered twice. The pilot performed an uneventful precautionary landing, in a field near Littleton, N.C., about 20 miles away from his intended destination. He then secured ground transportation and obtained more fuel for the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff from the “L-shaped” field, the plane drifted right […]