Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain.
NTSB
Homebuilt helicopter hits tree
Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot’s decision to practice hovering the helicopter in a confined space, which resulted in the tail rotor striking a tree.
Sun blinds pilot
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land due to the sun glare.
First flight in gyroplane ends in accident
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Fuel starvation leads to off-runway landing
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper use of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and an off-runway landing.
The wrong kind of high: Drug use up among pilots in fatal accidents
Drug use — including marijuana — by pilots has climbed over the last five years.
Portable GPS cable retracts landing gear
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the portable GPS and antenna cable, which resulted in the inadvertent landing gear retraction during landing.
Distracted pilot bends G58
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Glider tow plane crashes on takeoff
Probable cause: The glider pilot’s failure to maintain pitch during a CG aerotow, which resulted in the loss of control of the tow airplane.





