Aircraft: Cessna 421. Injuries: 4 Fatal. Location: Sioux Falls, S.D. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Shortly after the airplane lifted off, the tower controller informed the pilot that a plume of smoke was visible behind the airplane. Witnesses reported seeing flames at the inboard side of the left engine. The airplane began a left turn. When it […]
aviation accidents
Scud run kills two
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee Six. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: St. Ignace, Mich. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot took off from an airport on the mainland with the intention to drop a passenger off on an island located about five miles off shore. No IFR flight plan was filed although instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at both the […]
Test flight ends in crash
Aircraft: Wittman Tailwind. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Fulton, N.Y. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was also the builder of the experimental aircraft, was making the flight to become more familiar with the plane in order to complete the required 40 flight hours of the phase one operating limitations. The pilot had logged 759.6 hours […]
Low-level aerobatics kill two
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Boynton Beach, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial What reportedly happened: Both people on board the Cirrus were pilots. At the time of the accident, the plane was returning from an airshow and flying in formation with two aerobatic airplanes. The pilot of one of the aerobatic airplanes reported that shortly after the Cirrus […]
Experienced pilot encounters ice
Aircraft: Cessna Skymaster. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Casper, Wyo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 61-year-old pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, held multiple ratings and had logged 4,582 hours, including 687.3 hours in the Skymaster. Additionally, he recorded 644.7 hours of actual instrument time and 648.9 hours of night time. According to the pilot’s logbook […]
Pilot ignores poor aircraft performance
Aircraft: Ercoupe 415-C Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor. Location: Mulberry, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot did not have a valid medical certificate, which was required for the flight. He filled the airplane’s fuel tanks and flew about 45 minutes to another airport. He did not refuel. The pilot agreed to fly a passenger, who was […]
Student lands in deep snow
Aircraft: American Champion 8GCBC Injuries: None. Location: Ashton, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was not current in the airplane and his 90 day solo endorsement had expired. He had not been signed off to go to the accident airport. He intended to land on a privately-owned, rough grass airstrip covered with snow. He estimated […]
Poor energy management for Tiger
Aircraft: Grumman Tiger. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Bulverde, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was on a short final approach with an airspeed between 70 and 75 knots indicated, with one-third flaps extended. He reduced the throttle to idle. The airplane settled more rapidly than he expected. He reapplied power, but it was not quick enough […]
Pilot mistakes road for airport
Aircraft: Cirrus SR20. Injuries: None. Location: Brooksville, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was not familiar with the area and was using his GPS to find the airport. He attempted to land on what he thought was the runway. During the landing roll, as the wings hit mailboxes and fences, he realized that he had landed […]