“Everyone should feel safe speaking up, getting the mental health care they need, regardless of their profession. Aviation should be no different, and yet it is different,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Current federal rules incentivize people to either lie about their needs or avoid seeking help in the first place — and that’s not safe for anyone.”
NTSB
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.
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.
Improper fuel planning leads to fuel starvation
The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Pilot hits parked airplane after losing control on landing
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a parked airplane.
Precautionary landing ends in seriously injured pilot
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach for landing which, resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.