Probable Cause: The pilot’s excessive turn rate and bank angle while at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.
NTSB
Pilot Crashes After Taking Phone Call During Run-Up
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Too Heavy Airplane and Power Lines a Dangerous Combination
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to depart with the airplane over maximum gross weight, which reduced the climb performance and resulted in a collision with a tree.
Pilot’s Attempt to Power Through Fails
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and his decision to continue the takeoff from the soft turf runway.
High Desert Disaster
The Accident Case Study recreates the tragic events that led a novice backcountry pilot to crash on final approach to a backcountry airstrip in California’s Mojave Desert in 2021, killing both himself and his pilot-rated passenger.
Pilot Skids Off Runway During Landing
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath to the runway, which resulted in a runway undershoot and collision with terrain.
Bearing Failure Leads to Engine Failure
Probable Cause: A bearing failure that resulted in fatigue failure of the crankshaft and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Distracted Pilot Forgets to Extend Landing Gear
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
Plane Crashes On Way to Overdue Annual Inspection
Probable Cause: The pilot/owner’s failure to ensure adequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff.