If you are flying with someone else, allowing yourself to be swayed outside your comfort zone is a trap. That’s the lesson from this 2021 accident that claimed the life of the pilot in the lead airplane.
aviation accidents
PT-17 hits wires, then river
The pilot’s improper decision to conduct an intentional low altitude flight which resulted in a collision with wires and impact with terrain.
Demo flight goes awry
Fuel starvation resulting in a loss of engine power.
Takeoff into IMC fatal for student pilot and passenger
The student pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
Pilot: Fuel may have been an issue
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
Plane ends up in bay after pilot positions fuel selector in wrong place
The pilot’s inadvertent selection of an off fuel selector position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
First solo ends in fire
The student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Accidents up in 2021, but increase in flight hours creates downward trend
The report notes an increase in total accidents from 1,050 in 2020 to 1,124 in 2021, including 202 fatal accidents. However, 4 million additional flight hours — compared to the previous year — helped offset the increase in accidents, according to AOPA officials.
Pilot seriously injured after VFR turns into IMC
The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in marginal visual flight rules conditions at night, and his failure to maintain a safe altitude once instrument conditions were encountered.