The pilot was conducting his first flight in the Rans S-12 XL, a two-seat experimental amateur-built airplane, from a turf runway in Cleveland, Ga. The non-certificated pilot/owner of the aircraft was in the right seat. The pilot flying reported about 1,600 hours, with zero flight hours in make and model. In addition, he had not […]
aviation accidents
Low-altitude aerobatics bend Skybolt
The ATP-rated pilot, who had logged 19,275 hours, including 178 in the Skybolt, an aerobatic biplane, decided to do some low altitude aerobatic maneuvers near Windsor, N.C. After takeoff, he did two fly-bys along the runway, then pulled up to between 300 and 500 feet AGL and performed a wingover maneuver, although federal regulations prohibit aerobatic […]
Bad bounce for Cirrus
The pilot was attempting to land the Cirrus SR20 at the airport in Staples, Minn. The landing was uneventful until the flare, when the airplane bounced. The pilot initiated a go-around. During the attempted go-around, the plane did not achieve takeoff speed before going off the end of the runway and hitting a runway edge […]
Forced landing for Pawnee pilot
The pilot of the Piper Pawnee took off from Baxter Springs, Kan., then noticed a decrease in the engine’s oil pressure, followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot was slightly injured in the forced landing. An examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 piston had failed. In addition, each of the […]
Passenger walks into spinning propeller
The pilot of the Cessna 172 had previously flown with two passengers on separate flights. The passengers stated that the pilot briefed them that they were to enter and exit the airplane at all times from the right rear and that, at no time, should they be near or in front of the airplane while […]
Runway soft spot catches RV-8
The pilot of the RV-8 called the destination airport in Cortland, Ohio, to check on the condition of the turf runway. No concerns were noted. The pilot said that the flight and touch down were normal but, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a soft spot in the runway and nosed over, coming to […]
Soft field takeoff demo goes bad
The accident happened during an instructional flight in a Piper Cherokee. The CFI was attempting to demonstrate a soft field departure. The CFI taxied to a grass runway and instructed the student pilot to do the takeoff. The student advanced the throttle. The airplane achieved full power and about half way down the runway reached […]
Cessna strikes wire during landing on road
The pilot was flying the Cessna 172 near Thief River Falls, Minn., when he noted that the air was getting a little choppy and that he had to increase the wind correction angle in order to fly the appropriate heading. He flew a normal downwind approach to the north-south airstrip, but the wind correction angle […]
Student botches go-around
The Piper Cherokee was being flown by a student pilot near Jacksonville, N.C. The student left the airport to do some air work, then returned for landing. During final approach to the runway, the airplane drifted to the left. The left main landing gear was off the pavement at touch down, and the airplane pivoted […]