According to just-released statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board, there was a slight drop in general aviation fatalities in 2011. The total number of deaths in aviation increased from 476 to 494 in 2011, with about 90% involving fatalities in general aviation, according to NTSB officials. Although general aviation fatalities account for the majority […]
NTSB
Cessna creased by crosswind
Aircraft: Cessna 210. Injuries: None. Location: Crestview, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land in a crosswind. The winds were from the left at 11 knots with gusts to 20. Upon touchdown the airplane veered to the right, hitting a runway sign. The right main landing gear collapsed. Examination […]
Hand-propped airplane escapes pilot
Aircraft: Piper Turbo Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Meadview, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that he had shut down the engine on a remote dirt airport to inspect the tires before takeoff. When he attempted to restart the engine, he determined that the battery was insufficiently charged, so he decided to […]
Fast taxi leads to fire
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: None. Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, ATC instructed him to taxi from the FBO to the runway. After reaching the runway, he initiated the takeoff checklist. He increased the engine rpm per the checklist and the airplane moved forward slightly. He applied the […]
Bad landing, bad news for student pilot
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Lebanon, Tenn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. After the third landing he thought the airplane’s left main tire felt flat, so he taxied back to the FBO to have the tire checked. The FBO representative found no discrepancies and the […]
Texas Tech researcher seeks help with NTSB survey
A doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University is researching how general aviation accident reports released by the NTSB and the retelling of those events influence aviation safety. Researcher Kristi Dunks said she is focusing on personal, agricultural, sightseeing, flight instruction, air tour, and other flights. This study will not focus on major airline accident reports. […]
Distracted pilot flips floatplane
Aircraft: Cessna 206. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Stanwood, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, 55, held multiple ratings, including Airline Transport Pilot. He had logged more than 4,200 hours, including 474 hours in seaplanes. The accident airplane was mounted on amphibious floats. Within the previous 90 days to the accident, the pilot […]
Flat tire compromises landing
Aircraft: Piper Malibu Meridian. Injuries: None. Location: Phoenix, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to slow down during the landing roll. As he placed the propeller into reverse, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from going off the runway. The left main […]
Poor takeoff technique crunches Kitfox
Aircraft: Kitfox IV. Injuries: None. Location: Homedale, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero. The pilot performed a precautionary landing on a snow-covered hill. He examined the airplane and discovered that the sending wire had disconnected from the oil pressure gauge. He […]