The pilot stated that he calculated that the Piper PA 24-250 had sufficient fuel on board for about 90 minutes of flight; he estimated that the flight to his intended destination would take about 70 minutes. The flight encountered weather as it approached its destination, so he decided to circle the area until the weather cleared. Once […]
aviation accidents
Cessna 210’s landing gear collapses
According to the commercial pilot, during the approach to land in Tampa, Florida, after the personal flight, he observed that the green landing gear indicator light on the Cessna T210 was illuminated. He further reported that the gear warning horn did not sound before touchdown. During the landing, the left main landing gear (MLG) collapsed, […]
Fuel exhaustion leads to complete loss of engine power
The pilot reported that the Piper PA 28-181 was operated on a visual flight rules night flight. He estimated that the plane had about 30 to 32 gallons of fuel prior to departure from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) in Denver, Colorado. During the flight, intermittent electrical issues were experienced, including static in the headsets, flickering instrument […]
Two injured when balloon hits tree
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to take the 11 passengers on a hot-air balloon sightseeing tour near Wittman, Arizona. He reviewed the weather forecast for the day, which disclosed that wind speeds would be less than 8 mph. The morning departure occurred in calm wind conditions and the pilot maneuvered the […]
Student’s second solo goes awry
According to the student pilot, he was performing his second solo flight, and he reported a total flying time of 45 hours. As the Cessna 172 became airborne during the initial takeoff, it “…violently veered 90° to the left.” He immediately applied right rudder and reduced the throttle to idle. The airplane landed on the left […]
Partial loss of engine power brings down 182
The private pilot was conducting a personal flight near Hartford, Conn., in a Cessna 182. He reported that, while the airplane was climbing after takeoff, he noticed the engine began running roughly, and it then lost power. He attempted to regain full power by using the carburetor heat, but was unsuccessful, so he decided to conduct […]
Lack of training contributes to crash
The pilot reported he had recently obtained the pusher-type airplane, a RANS S-14, and that the accident flight was the first time he had flown it or any pusher-type airplane. He performed numerous taxi tests at the airport in Kewanee, Ill., over a three-hour period and then decided to take off and fly around the […]
Wrong frequency, dark night bad combination
The Socata TB20 Trinidad pilot was conducting an instrument approach for landing in night instrument meteorological conditions at the airport in Hilton Head Island, S.C. After receiving the approach clearance from air traffic control, he tuned his communication radio to the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and attempted to activate the airport lighting by […]
New RV-3 owner perishes in crash
Several witnesses reported they observed the RV-3 make a steep climb shortly after takeoff from the airport in Las Cruces, N.M., and then make two 90° left bank turns to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turns, the wings were rocking back and forth, the airplane was in a nose-high attitude and not […]