Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to a fractured exhaust valve, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and a subsequent rollover.
NTSB
Pilot misunderstands how long plane can fly with full fuel
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power.
Piper pilot ends up in cornfield after trying to take off on runway with standing water
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision not to abort the takeoff after the airplane encountered standing water on the runway, which decreased its speed and led to its subsequent inability to climb and resulted in a runway overrun.
Plane hits large bird
Probable cause: The airplane’s collision with a bird during straight-and-level flight.
Failure to see and avoid power wires leads to Taylorcraft crash
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.
Sticking intake valve leads to crash
Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a sticking intake valve on the No. 3 cylinder.
Stall while landing fatal for pilot
Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Improper preflight planning begins accident’s chain of events
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight planning that did not identify the unserviceable runway; his subsequent decision to attempt to takeoff from the rough, grassy runway; and his selection of an abort point with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Carb icing proves fatal for pilot
Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, the pilot’s decision to turn back to the runway shortly after takeoff, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, and subsequent aerodynamic stall.







