aviation accidents

The accident happened during the Piper PA-12’s first flight in Anchorage, Alaska, after undergoing maintenance and modification over the course of several years. A witness reported that, during the takeoff, the plane climbed steeply in an extreme, nose-high attitude until it “pivoted” at the apex of the climb and then entered a descent straight to the ground. The […]

The pilot reported that, while conducting a preflight inspection on the Beech C24R, he looked inside the wing fuel tanks and estimated that there was about 27 gallons of fuel. He then departed on a local flight to test the avionics and autopilot system. While returning to the airport after an approximate one-hour flight, the […]

A video made by a witness located in a restaurant parking lot near the top of a ridge near Lake Elsinore, Calif., initially shows the Piper PA 28R’s wings level at a low altitude with a steady engine rpm and the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane then makes about a 45° left turn. It subsequently levels […]

The private pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped Cessna 180H on a remote tidal beach in Seward, Alaska. On touchdown, the plane bounced slightly before settling on the right main landing gear (MLG). In an effort to correct for the right-wing-low landing, he applied left aileron, but the right wing continued to descend. The right MLG wheel axle […]

The pilot, who was the airplane owner, was on a local, pleasure flight near Carrollton, Georgia. Witnesses observed the Skybolt flying low, followed by a rapid pitch down or loss of airplane control. The plane hit a tree about 60 feet above the ground and continued another 46 feet until it hit the ground. Most of the wreckage was consumed […]

The private pilot planned to fly to at least two backcountry airports in Utah. His first destination was an unpaved United States Forest Service strip near Warren. The runway, designated 11/29, was reported to be 2,765 feet long and 50 feet wide. It was located in a narrow valley, and situated about 30 feet southwest […]

While practicing step taxiing in a Searey on a river near Mount Vernon, Wash., the pilot under instruction attempted to transition from step taxi to plow taxi. During the transition, the right wing dropped and hit the water, which damaged the right sponson. The flight instructor added power and proceeded to takeoff. The airplane climbed to 10 feet […]

The student pilot departed on a local, solo instructional flight in the Cessna 172. According to the flight instructor, the student was briefed to complete three takeoffs and landings and to stay in the airport traffic pattern. Instead, he completed one takeoff and landing and then departed the airport traffic pattern. Witnesses reported seeing the […]

After the Mooney M20L bounced on landing, the pilot aborted the landing by adding full power and confirmed that the flaps were in the takeoff position. When she realized the plane was not climbing normally and that the engine did not seem to be providing full power, she prepared for an emergency landing to a parking lot […]