aviation accidents

Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under VFR when IMC prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.

Probable Cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering to another runway after the engine cowling opened shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the student pilot and flight instructor to conduct an adequate preflight inspection.

Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a drag maneuver, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent impact with terrain.

Probable Cause: Water contamination in the fuel system that was not observed during the preflight inspection, resulting in a total loss of engine power and forced landing.

Probable Cause: The pilot’s mismanagement of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.

Probable Cause: The flight instructor’s decision to taxi behind a large multi-engine airplane, which resulted in an encounter with propeller blast and a loss of airplane control on the ground.

Probable Cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain proper airspeed during a turn to final, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to a non-critical radio anomaly.