Aircraft: Cessna 140. Injuries: None. Location: Winnsboro, S.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane allowed his pilot-rated passenger to make a wheel landing. [Read more...]

Aircraft: Taylorcraft BC-12-65. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: College Place, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot departed for a short local flight. About 20 minutes later, he returned to land. The sun was low on the horizon, and as he turned onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, his view became completely obscured by the sun’s glare. The airplane hit trees about 250 feet to the right of the runway.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to abort the landing when he lost sight of the runway due to sun glare.

NTSB Identification: WPR11LA076

This December 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: Cessna 210. Injuries: None. Location: Abilene, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot departed on a 615-nautical mile cross-country flight. He determined the flight would take him about four hours and 15 minutes. He had about five and a half hours of fuel on-board.

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Aircraft: Cessna 185A, Taylorcraft. Injuries: None. Location: Madras, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: At the time of the accident, the ceiling was broken clouds at about 6,500 feet AGL, and visibility was more than 10 miles. The Cessna and a Taylorcraft were both on approach to the same runway.

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Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: 2 Serious. Location: West Milford, N.J. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: A representative from the FBO stated that when the pilot arrived he requested a heater for his airplane, as the temperature was below freezing and the airplane was parked outside on the ramp.

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Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Injuries: None. Location: Pullman, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude over open, snow-covered terrain when he noticed that the engine was running rough and beginning to lose power.

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Aircraft: Cessna 152. Injuries: None. Location: Wimauma, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, who was also the mechanic, shortly after takeoff at an altitude of 300 feet AGL, he heard a loud noise, followed by a loss of engine power. [Read more...]

Aircraft: Cessna 180. Injuries: None. Location: Flagstaff, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane. He listened to the automated weather that included a comment that ice was present on the runway, but the braking action was fair.

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Aircraft: Cessna 195. Injuries: None. Location: Williamson, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a grass runway. The approach was fast and the airplane bounced. The pilot inadvertently applied brakes and the airplane nosed over.

Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent application of the brakes during a bounced landing resulting in a nose over.

NTSB Identification: ERA11CA170

This December 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: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Fort Myers, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, who was practicing touch and goes, a gust of wind pushed the plane to the left after the eighth landing. [Read more...]