The instructor pilot’s decision to perform an inflight magneto check with no suitable area to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to correctly perform a magneto check that resulted in a total loss of engine power.
aviation accidents
Failure to see and avoid results in one plane landing on top of another
The pilot of the departing airplane’s failure to see and avoid the landing airplane before takeoff, resulting in a collision with the landing airplane. Contributing was the airport’s failure to encourage pilots to use radios for traffic deconfliction when equipped.
Plane near maximum gross weight crashes after takeoff with 10° of flaps
Both pilots’ decision to perform the takeoff near maximum gross weight with 10° of flaps, contrary to the owner’s manual procedure, which resulted in the airplane’s degraded climb performance approaching high terrain.
Stuck exhaust valve leads to forced landing that injures two
The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve.
Pilot commits suicide by crashing into ocean
The pilot’s suicide.
Real Pilot Story: Crossed wires
In “Real Pilot Story: Crossed Wires,” commercial pilot and CFI Greg Soter reflects on an emergency landing near Birdseye, Utah, in June 2013, after discovering an electrical fire in the back of the Cessna 172 he was flying.
Human Factors: An unhealthy tango for two
We have a less than ideal airport layout with intersecting runways, view-limiting terrain, and published data ignored by the locals. Why, yes, that does seem like a good recipe for an accident, doesn’t it?
Open door distracts Cirrus pilot
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s right side door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident flight, and his subsequent distraction due to the door during the landing attempt.
Pilot seriously injured when experimental crashes
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.