During an aerial application flight in a tailwheel-equipped Air Tractor AT-602, the commercial pilot departed the airstrip at Ropesville, Texas, with a full load of insecticide, but then realized the plane was equipped with improper spray nozzles, and returned to the airstrip. Considering the fully loaded configuration, he made one low approach and reported that […]
NTSB
AOPA calls for review of speculation in NTSB reports
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is calling on the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct an internal review to examine why the agency has approved “speculative probable cause reports related to general aviation accidents” despite little evidence to support the conclusions. AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Coon criticized speculative practices […]
Pilot blinded by sun
According to the pilot, he departed on a cross-country flight to his home airport in Westfield Township, Ohio. He planned to arrive about sunset and land to the west. His last recollection of events leading up to the accident was initiating a right turn from the base to final leg in the traffic pattern. The CubCrafters […]
Improper installation of part leads to crash
The pilot reported that he was flying the Funk B85C about 700 feet above the ground in cruise flight when he felt the control stick “pop” and the nose of the airplane pitch down. He pulled back the throttle and turned off the magnetos. The passenger adjusted the elevator trim, however, the pitch attitude did […]
Two injured during forced landing in desert
The F-1 Rocket pilot reported that, on final approach to landing, he added power to maintain the desired glidepath, but the engine did not respond. Despite adjusting the throttle and additional troubleshooting efforts, he noted no response from the engine. He reported that the engine remained running between 1,200 and 1,300 rpm. He initiated a forced […]
VFR into IMC fatal for 182 pilot
The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules aerial observation flight and returning to his home base. Radar and weather data showed the Cessna 182 maneuvering in instrument flight rules conditions before radar contact was lost. Examination of the accident site near El Paso, Texas, indicated the airplane hit rocky, mountainous terrain in a slight left-wing-low attitude […]
Hard landing breaks balloon passenger’s ankles
The balloon pilot reported that, halfway through the flight, he determined that the wind aloft was higher than anticipated and that the original planned landing destination was no longer suitable. While the Ultramagic SA N210 balloon was between 3,000 and 4,000 feet mean sea level, he started looking for another landing area and noted that the […]
Fuel starvation fatal
The pilot reported that, about 10 miles from the destination airport, he switched the left and right fuel tanks from the auxiliary position to the main tank position. On final approach for landing and when the Piper PA-24-250 was at an altitude of about 500 feet, the engine stopped producing power. The propeller continued to rotate, […]
Engine malfunction brings down Ryan
Shortly after takeoff from Santa Monica Municipal Airport in Southern California, the pilot advised the air traffic control tower controller that the Ryan’s engine had lost power, and he requested an immediate return to the airport. He initiated a left turn toward the airport, however during the approach, he realized that the airplane was unable […]