This January 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: RV-2. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Picayune, Miss. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: According to a witness, the pilot was preparing the RV-4 for a test flight after replacing a ground wire in the avionics. The pilot and passenger boarded the airplane, the engine started, and they made a normal departure to the north.

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This December 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Beech Bonanza. Injuries: None. Location: Dodge City, Kan. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot stated that the pitot heat system was working when he checked it during preflight. He obtained a full weather briefing from flight service, and checked the weather via the Internet before departing. While airborne at 6,000 feet to 6,500 feet MSL, he encountered instrument meteorological conditions and turned on the pitot heat.

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This December 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Pearland, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The student pilot was on his private pilot checkride. He was attempting to make a short-field landing. Approximately 50 feet above ground level it was apparent to the pilot that he was not going to land on his intended touchdown point, and the flight examiner in the right seat directed the pilot to go around.

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This December 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Piper Tomahawk. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Ojai, Calif. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: The purpose of the flight was for the flight instructor to evaluate the student for a pre-solo training flight. Radar data indicated that the airplane maneuvered in the vicinity of the accident site for 22 to 24 minutes. It then descended from 3,500 feet, at approximately 660 feet per minute, until 2,000 feet was reached and radar coverage was no longer possible.

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