Aircraft: Mooney M20J. Injuries: None. Location: Romeoville, Illinois. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane was touching down when the left main landing gear collapsed. It subsequently veered to the left and hit a runway edge identifier light. A post-accident examination confirmed that the left main landing gear had partially collapsed into its wheel […]
NTSB
Deep snow traps Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 150. Injuries: None. Location: Grass Valley, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a snow-covered runway. He obtained an automated weather observation report from the non-towered airport, with no indication on the recording that the runway was closed. Shortly after touchdown, as the airplane began its […]
Headwind distracts pilot
Aircraft: Beech G35. Injuries: None. Location: Brenham, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was attempting to land at a busy non-towered airport, encountered a strong gusty headwind during the approach. Distracted by the headwind, he forgot to extend the landing gear. After the airplane came to a stop, he removed his […]
Poor maintenance results in accident
Aircraft: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2. Injuries: None. Location: Kingsville, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The purpose of the flight was to give the pilot a chance to practice aerobatic maneuvers for an upcoming airshow. After completing a hammerhead turn, he felt a slight vibration and the pitch control felt unusual. Returning to the airport, […]
Low altitude stall for Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Andrews, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane had lifted off and was approximately 400 to 500 feet above ground when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to glide to the ground, but when the plane was about 100 feet AGL, it stalled, then crashed. […]
Hard landing for iced-up twin
Aircraft: Cessna 310Q. Injuries: None. Location: Romeoville, Ill. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that she checked the weather prior to departing on the cross-country flight and it appeared that an area of icing had cleared out near the destination airport. While descending through 4,000 feet near the destination, the airplane began […]
Delayed go-around bends Piper
Aircraft: Piper Saratoga. Injuries: None. Location: Holdenville, Okla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: During final approach the pilot determined that he had inadvertently landed with a tailwind. Realizing his mistake and unable to stop the airplane on the runway remaining, he attempted to takeoff again. However, there was insufficient runway to get airborne, and […]
Prop problem for Kolb
Aircraft: Kolb Mark III. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Stetson, Maine. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was in cruise flight at 1,500 feet over a heavily wooded area when the airplane began to vibrate violently, then lost all engine power. He made a forced landing in the trees. The pilot noted that, about […]
Turbulence tasks Mooney pilot
Aircraft: Mooney M20K. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Urbana, Ill. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Prior to the flight, the pilot contacted the destination airport’s FBO to inquire about the local wind conditions. It was his intention to divert to an alternate airport if the crosswind was too strong. During the final approach, the airplane […]