Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to turn out early during the initial climb and failure to maintain adequate airspeed/angle-of-attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with airport hangars. Contributing to the accident was the variable wind conditions above the hangars and the pilot’s lack of awareness of those conditions.
Flying
Picture of the Day: Flying over Lake Buchanan
Christian Sanchez submitted this photo and note: “This photograph was captured a few months back during my first out-of-state flight. Here, you can see Lake Buchanan in Texas from an altitude of 3,500 feet. I found it fascinating how the lake appeared to be divided, creating a striking visual effect.”
Let the Spirit move you
When you first see the Spirit Engineering SE-1, it stops you in your tracks. It conjures airplanes from an earlier era that were designed for aerodynamic efficiency that did not forget art and beauty.
A new era in recreational aviation
As Sport Pilot 2.0 takes effect Oct. 22, 2025, it is expected to benefit many areas of general aviation.
New AOPA video examines crash that killed one of its own
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new video examining an accident in Lake Placid, New York, on Oct. 1, 2023, that took the lives of former NFL player Russ Francis and AOPA’s own Richard McSpadden.
Skyryse unveils AI flight assistant
Skyryse, the makers of SkyOS, the world’s first universal operating system for flight, has launched Skylar, its AI flight assistant “designed to simplify aircraft communication, navigation, and operations for enhanced safety and efficiency,” according to company officials.
Improper installation of supplemental ignition system leads to total loss of engine power
Probable Cause: The improper installation of the supplemental ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Picture of the Day: Still flying
Marc Verougstraete submitted this photo and note: “NC12467 is still flying in Belgium at Ostend–Bruges International Airport.”
Human Factors: Safety in numbers?
The big takeaway from this accident is clearly that flying as a crew requires good communication and a clear discussion of who is responsible for each aspect of the flight. If we really want to take a page from airline crew resource management, duties should be divided up, rather than duplicated.