The failure of maintenance personnel to properly rig the rudder trim system after reinstallation and pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection after recent maintenance, which resulted in an inability to adequately maintain directional control during the flight.
aviation accidents
Pilot seriously injured after failure to retract flaps during go-around
The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around from a bounced landing, which resulted in a collision with trees then terrain.
Cessna 172 damaged by jet blast
The student pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient distance behind a jet airplane which, resulted in his loss of airplane control due to the jet airplane’s jet blast and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Distracted pilot fails to lower landing gear
The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear on approach due to distraction.
Real Pilot Story: Trapped in the Hills
“In this real pilot story, a father explains how a routine flight with his son turned fatal. The pilots’ familiarity with the terrain gave them an illusion of security, and they succumbed to the allure of complacency,” said AOPA Air Safety Institute Vice President of Operations Paul Deres.
C172 crashes after pilot fails to use carb heat
The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and an impact with terrain during an attempted go-around.
Hidden danger: Dust devils
Dust devils present significant hazards to general aviation pilots and have been present in more than 170 accidents the National Transportation Safety Board has investigated since 1982.
Piper hits forklift while taxiing
Pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a forklift while taxiing.
Delayed go-around proves fatal for pilot
The pilot’s delay in initiating a go-around and his failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.