The Flight Safety Detectives, well-known aviation-industry consultants and former NTSB investigators John Goglia and Greg Feith, discuss a variety of general aviation incidents that happened on the ground, such as running over taxi lights, hitting another airplane on the ground while taxiing, or taking off with a tow bar still attached.
aviation accidents
Obstructed catalytic converter brings down experimental airplane
A partial loss of engine power due to an obstructed catalytic converter, which most likely resulted from the pilot’s failure to properly repair or replace it after it was likely damaged during a previous incident. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall.
Human Factors: A host of bad decisions
How do two professional pilots lose control of their flight just nine minutes after takeoff? Among a number of factors, what part did the pilot shortage play in this fatal accident?
Float flying lesson ends in serious injuries for two
The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain airspeed during a turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action in a timely manner.
Water contamination leads to crash at KWHP
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to remove all water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the condition of the fuel caps, which allowed the water to enter the fuel system.
Formation flight ends fatally
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while intentionally maneuvering in a canyon at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to enter a canyon environment at a low altitude, and the sudden change in wind conditions within the canyon.
Pilot’s first time flying from the right seat goes awry
The pilot’s loss of control during the landing flare, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Pilot’s mechanical error leads to crash
The pilot’s failure to reinstall the nose landing gear linkage prior to the flight which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.
Just purchased plane crashes on flight home
A loss of yaw control while on final approach, which resulted in the pilot performing an off-runway landing, and a subsequent nose over. The reason for the loss of yaw control could not be determined based on the available evidence.