During an annual inspection on Feb. 26, 2014, a mechanic discovered buckling, compression, and kinking of both firewall sections of the Cessna 172M. In addition, the front floor sections, front belly sections, front belly skin, center pedestal, and numerous stringers and angles were damaged. The airplane was operated by a flying club in South Bend, […]
aviation accidents
Fatigue crack leads to accident
The pilot completed his third aerial application sortie of the day in the Grumman G164-A, and was returning for landing on a paved private airstrip near Caruthers, Calif. On touchdown, he heard a “huge bang,” and the airplane began to roll right wing down.He tried to correct with aileron, but as the plane slowed, its […]
Crosswind catches C185
While taking off from Runway 32 at the airport in Fredericksburg, Texas, the Cessna 185 encountered a crosswind. As soon as the tailwheel came off the runway, the plane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with the application of right rudder and brake, however the plane continued off the runway. The right […]
Partial loss of engine power brings down SR22
The pilot reported that, at 17,000 feet mean sea level, the Cirrus SR22’s engine suddenly started vibrating severely and partially lost power. He declared an emergency and an air traffic controller provided vectors for an instrument approach into an airport near Pocatello, Idaho. The vibrations increased in severity and available engine power was decreasing. He […]
Pilot dies from cardiac event during taxi
The pilot’s son reported that he saw his father’s Beech A36 initiate a slow taxi for departure from the airport in Fryeburg, Maine, drift right off the taxiway, and then come to rest next to a snow bank. The son found the pilot slumped over the control yoke, and he was subsequently transported to a […]
Incorrectly installed part brings down homebuilt
The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the FK Lightplanes FK9’s engine experienced a partial power loss. The experimental plane was unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot chose to perform an off-airport landing to an open field near Canton, Georgia. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a berm, became airborne, and then […]
Fuel starvation results in Piper landing on Bronx freeway
The pilot reported that both fuel tanks on the Piper PA-28-180 were full when the flight departed. About 30 minutes into the flight, a GPS alarm alerted the pilot to switch fuel tanks, so he switched the fuel tank selector. He then proceeded north to return to the departure airport. About 51 minutes into the […]
Dark night, heavy snow fatal for two
The instrument-rated pilot received weather data via a computerized flight planning service on the morning of the accident. The briefing included a synopsis for upper Michigan that indicated overcast conditions at 3,000 feet with cloud tops at 12,000 feet, visibility of 3 to 5 miles with light snow showers and mist, and wind from the […]
First flight after oil change goes awry
The private pilot and his two passengers departed on a local pleasure flight in the Cessna 210 near Pagosa Springs, Colo. Right after takeoff, engine oil covered the windscreen and the engine began to lose power. According to a video of the accident, the pilot made a tear-drop turn in an attempt to land on […]