Post-maintenance is the time to preflight like your life depends on it — because it does as shown in this accident where a veteran pilot is killed in a crash when the trim tabs on his Piper PA-31 are installed incorrectly after the plane’s annual.
aviation accidents
SR20 pilot forgets to remove pitot tube cover
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight inspection, to include removal of the pitot tube cover.
Cessna 182 crashes after encounter with mountain wave
An encounter with mountain wave turbulence and windshear that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane and resulted in impact with terrain.
Post-maintenance flight check ends in crash
The pilot’s inability to extend the main landing gear due to incomplete maintenance, which resulted in a partial wheels-up landing and the mechanic’s failure to follow proper maintenance procedures that led to the loss of main landing gear system hydraulic pressure and the subsequent failure of the main landing gear to fully extend.
Video analyzes banner tow accident
On May 17, 2023, a Piper PA-25 Pawnee towing a billboard banner crashed over Hollywood, Florida. Sadly, the pilot — the sole occupant on board the airplane — died in the accident. No one on the ground was hurt.
Airframe icing fatal for two
The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid airframe icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane performance and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight break-up.
Ag pilot crashes after losing control during steep turn
The pilot’s loss of airplane control resulting in an aerodynamic stall while executing a steep turnaround during an aerial application flight.
‘I wouldn’t imagine the pilot knowingly would have done that’
I believe due to the high traffic area the helicopter may have not seen us and referred to another Cessna, resulting in him beginning his turning climb directly into our path. I wouldn’t imagine the pilot knowingly would have done that.
Wrong fuel tank cap leads to accident
A total loss of engine power due to a blocked fuel tank cap vent hole, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s and the pilot’s inadequate inspections of the fuel tank cap.