The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Wrong flap setting leads to crash
The pilot’s improper flap setting, which resulted in a collision with trees during a takeoff attempt from a short grass field.
Maintenance error leads to crash
The failure of maintenance personnel to properly connect the throttle cable, which led to the pilot’s inability to control engine power during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s misjudgment of the headwind during the forced landing, which resulted in the airplane’s touchdown short of the runway and its impact with airport structures.
Piper ends up in Savannah River due to fuel starvation
The student pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Instructional flight ends in fatalities
The pilots’ exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while practicing maneuvers during an instructional flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control.
Pilot continues even with engine issues
The pilot’s decision to continue the flight with abnormal engine indications and the subsequent failure of the No. 5 cylinder connecting rod for unknown reasons.
Dark night conditions contribute to crash
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on the final approach segment of the traffic pattern in dark night conditions.
Pilot and passenger still missing after crash
The pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and his improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility in moderate precipitation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.
Spatial disorientation fatal for two
The pilot’s loss of airplane control in night instrument meteorological conditions during the procedure turn of an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain.