The pilot’s decision to depart shortly after a landing helicopter, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s wake turbulence and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by his recent use of ethanol.
NTSB Accidents
Pilot mistakenly extends flaps instead of landing gear
The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to ensure that the landing gear were extended prior to landing.
Pilot seriously injured when wrong fuel put into his plane
The fueler’s addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Pilot runs out of fuel bringing new plane home
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and fuel system inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Plane crashes after in-flight malfunction of throttle control pivot arm
The in-flight malfunction of the throttle control pivot arm, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with terrain during the forced landing.
Kitfox pilot crashes during STOL practice
The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while he intentionally flew at a low altitude during a practice for a short takeoff and landing flight competition.
Experimental ends up in powerlines due to fuel starvation
The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on approach due to fuel starvation.
Knee replacement surgery contributes to crash
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder.
Pilot loses control while trying to land
The pilot’s loss of control during landing in high density altitude conditions.