Aircraft: Vans RV-6A. Injuries: None. Location: Albany, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot noted that the propeller assembly had undergone maintenance by its manufacturer on three occasions prompted by his observation of hub grease seeping onto the shank portion of the blades. The pilot removed the propeller and hub assembly and returned it to the […]
aviation accidents
Inadvertent braking breaks Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 140A. Injuries: None. Location: Kent, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The CFI and his student were practicing landings in a tailwheel airplane in preparation for the student’s first solo. On the fourth landing, the student inadvertently applied brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over, causing substantial damage to the […]
Cirrus pilot overshoots
.Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: None. Location: Fall City, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial What reportedly happened: According to the private pilot, during the initial climb to cruise flight the airplane began to lose power and the low engine oil light illuminated. He diverted to a nearby airport. The first approach to the runway terminated with a […]
Mid-air proves fatal for Lancair pilot
Aircraft: Lancair IV-P. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Hammonton, N.J. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The Lancair pilot told a witness that he was going to fly to a nearby airport to visit a friend. He was aware that the nearby airport had occasional aerobatic activity near the runway, within an aerobatic box. The box was […]
Loose nut leads to engine failure
Aircraft: Cessna 310. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Tupelo, Mississippi. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The airplane had just undergone an annual inspection, at which time the left engine’s number two cylinder was replaced. To facilitate the cylinder replacement, the B-nut attaching the fuel supply hose to the engine’s manifold valve was removed, then later reinstalled. A post-maintenance […]
Mountain takeoff goes bad
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: 2 Minor. Location: Atlanta, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land at a mountain airport with an elevation of 5,500 feet MSL. He told investigators that he was unfamiliar with the airport, and he had not read the FAA’s published remarks for the airport in its Airport Facility […]
Crosswind compromises Allegro
Aircraft: Allegro 2000. Injuries: None. Location: Stonington, Maine. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land at a coastal airport when the plane encountered a strong right crosswind. It landed hard on the right main landing gear, which subsequently collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Probable cause: The […]
Distracted pilot goes off runway
Aircraft: Vans RV-12. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Windom, Nev. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that he inadvertently did not secure the canopy latch after entering the cockpit. After takeoff, he noticed air entering the cockpit from the unsecured canopy. He stated that he was distracted with attempting to secure the canopy and the airplane […]
Spatial disorientation kills one
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Provincetown, Mass. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The non-instrument-rated pilot took off on a dark night from an airport located at the tip of a peninsula. Analysis of GPS data showed that he turned the airplane toward the destination course before it had reached an altitude of 100 […]