aviation accidents

The non-instrument rated pilot departed on a cross-country flight. When the Cessna 210 was reported overdue by family members, a search was initiated, and the airplane wreckage was located about three miles from a regional airport in Bay City, Wis. The pilot died in the crash. Witnesses reported seeing an airplane maneuvering near the airport about the time […]

The private pilot reported that, during takeoff for a local personal flight in Xenia, Ohio, his seat unexpectedly moved rearward, and the seat back tipped rearward. As the seat slid rearward, he inadvertently applied aft yoke and his feet came off the rudder pedals, which resulted in a loss of directional control. The Cessna 172 went off the […]

After a planned refueling stop at Cordele, Georgia, the pilot taxied to a runway intersection and began his takeoff roll. Witnesses reported that when the Aeronca 7EC was about 200 feet above ground level, it entered a gradual left turn, which progressed into a steep left turn. The airplane lost altitude during a 180° turn and then hit the […]

The pilot reported that 30 minutes after departure at 6,000 feet mean sea level, the Beech 35’s door opened in flight. He stated that the temperature dropped, papers went flying about the cabin, and the noise was “overwhelming.” The passenger tried to hold the door shut, but could not secured it. The pilot diverted to an […]

The pilot reported that the accident occurred as she was practicing nighttime takeoffs and landings at an airport in Ann Arbor, Mich. During the takeoff roll, as the Piper PA-28-181 was rotating for liftoff, it hit a deer on the runway. She immediately aborted the takeoff on the remaining runway. Following the accident a portion of the deer […]

The commercial pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight in the Cirrus SR22. He reported that, while en route to his destination at a cruise altitude of about 5,000 feet mean sea level, the engine “failed.” He flew the airplane toward an open field near Lexington, N.C., and deployed the ballistic recovery parachute. He subsequently conducted a successful […]

As the pilot was taxiing the T-211 Thorpedo to takeoff on Runway 10 from the airport in Mountain Home, Idaho, he encountered a truck parked on the taxiway. He made a 180° left turn, taxied back down the taxiway, then made a second 180° left turn in an attempt to reverse direction to go around […]

The pilot reported that he was returning from an air race competition and that, about 15 minutes into the flight, he heard a “thump” and thought the Lancair Legacy had struck a bird. He then heard a second “thump” along with a “rattle and vibration,” so he found a place to make a forced landing. While preparing […]

During a repositioning flight, the Piper PA 31-350 encountered winds aloft that were higher than forecasted. The pilot reported that 25 minutes into the flight the left engine stopped producing power due to fuel exhaustion. He secured the engine and continued towards the closest airport. Approximately 8 to 9 minutes later, the right engine stopped producing power […]