Aircraft: Cessna 206. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Arcadia, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 2,300 feet. The pilot, who was attempting a water takeoff, used 10° of flaps to get the airplane off the water. It climbed to about 400 feet but would […]
NTSB
Lack of airmanship kills two
Aircraft: Maule M-7-235. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Warrenton, Va. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The commercial pilot had logged approximately 1,066 hours, but his time in the Maule could not be determined. According to a CFI who had flown with him on several occasions, the pilot performed turns in the traffic pattern at 45°of […]
Poor fuel management by Piper pilot
Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Injuries: 2 Minor. Location: Sherman, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot told investigators that he didn’t visually check the fuel level prior to departure, but noted that the cockpit fuel gauges indicated the left tank was 3/4-full and the right fuel tank was 1/4-full. He took off with […]
NTSB to hold seminar on lessons learned from homebuilt accidents
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board is presenting a seminar later this month highlighting the lessons that have been learned from the NTSB’s investigations of accidents involving experimental amateur-built aircraft. With more than 33,000 E-AB aircraft in the U.S., this segment of general aviation has grown rapidly in recent years. While representing nearly […]
Loss of control in traffic pattern proves fatal
Aircraft: Piper Comanche. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Camas, Wash. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot’s most recent third-class medical certificate was issued July 28, 2010. At the time, he reported a total flight time of 4,000 hours. A pilot-rated witness reported watching the Comanche join what appeared to be the left downwind […]
First flight, last flight
Aircraft: Rans S18. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Fayetteville, Tenn. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot was making his inaugural flight in the recently purchased, recently reassembled, but as of yet unregistered, experimental airplane. He had not flown in about six years. His latest medical certificate was issued June 6, 2005, and at […]
Pilot miscalculates fuel needs
Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: None. Location: Dandrige, Tenn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported he fueled the airplane with enough fuel for two flights with skydivers with a 30-minute reserve. The first approach was as planned. During the second approach, the pilot had to adjust his flight path for other airplane traffic. […]
Bent tailwheel compromises airplane
Aircraft: Avid Flyer. Injuries: None. Location: Yamhill, Oregon. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a private airstrip in his homebuilt, tailwheel-equipped airplane. The winds were calm and the approach and touchdown were normal, but during the rollout the airplane began an uncommanded turn to the right. The pilot […]
Excessive airspeed breaks up Beech
Aircraft: Beech G35. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Byron, Ga. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot, 44, had logged about 400 hours, including 140 in the Bonanza. The accident happened during a cross-country flight. When the airplane was at 9,200 feet MSL, the pilot cancelled VFR flight following and initiated a descent toward […]