The pilot reported that, before departure, he conducted an engine run-up, and everything was in the normal operating range. He departed, and, shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. During the forced landing in Lonoke County, Arkansas, the Mooney M20C hit trees and came to rest on its belly. Examination of the airplane revealed that no fuel […]
NTSB Accidents
Cirrus pilot ditches in ocean
During the transpacific flight, the Cirrus SR22 pilot was unable to transfer fuel from the aft auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel tanks. Despite multiple attempts to troubleshoot the fuel system issue, he was unable to correct the situation. After transferring fuel from the forward auxiliary fuel tank to both main fuel tanks, he estimated […]
Low altitude maneuvers fatal
Several witnesses observed the Aventura II during engine start at the airport in Sebring, Florida, and reported that, when the engine started, it tipped forward onto its nose and then fell back and its tail struck the ground. The pilot exited the airplane, walked to the back, returned to the cockpit, and then taxied out. No witnesses […]
Ice brings down RV-6
The pilot had purchased the RV-6A the day before, and was returning to his home airport when he elected to stop at an intermediate airport in Pikeville, Kentucky, for fuel. After crossing the runway threshold, he reduced engine power and entered the landing flare. He felt the airplane “balloon up slightly, then stall and drop around […]
VFR into IMC fatal for pilot
The commercial pilot was in the process of purchasing a block of flight time with the intent of building time toward an additional rating. According to the operator, she did not complete the mandatory checkout. However, she possessed the keys to the Cessna 152 since she had flown the previous day with an instructor, but he […]
Pilot commits suicide by plane
Witnesses reported observing the pilot taxi the airplane from inside his hangar and depart. For several minutes, the Piper PA 28 maneuvered at a low altitude and high airspeed. Witnesses then observed the airplane make a steep bank turn, descend, and hit terrain about five miles east of the airport in Brighton, Colo. The pilot’s wife had reported […]
Waco noses over when passenger hits brakes during landing
The pilot reported that while rolling out about 30 to 40 mph in the tailwheel equipped airplane for the full stop landing in San Luis Obispo, California, the Waco YMF F5C made a sudden stop and nosed over. The plane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and tail section during the landing. The passenger reported […]
Fuel exhaustion leads to 172 hitting power lines
The Cessna 172 pilot reported that, about three miles from the destination airport, the engine experienced a loss of power. During the forced landing to a field near Fresno, California, the 172 hit an unseen set of power lines before touching down in the field. Both the left wing and the empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that, when […]
Formation flight goes awry
At the conclusion of a local formation flight, the flight of weight-shift-control aircraft returned to their home airport in Eustis, Florida, and entered the traffic pattern. During the landing flare, the Storm pilot encountered the “prop wash” of the preceding aircraft, which resulted in his aircraft entering an uncommanded right bank. He attempted to counteract the turn […]