Aircraft: Piper Comanche. Injuries: None. Location: Colorado Springs, Colo. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: During the IFR flight, the pilot notified ATC that the airplane was accumulating structural icing. He asked for a lower cruise altitude. ATC provided the pilot with a lower altitude, but the airplane was still in icing conditions and in clouds. The controller […]
NTSB
Loss of situational awareness proves fatal
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Gary, Indiana. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to fly the RNAV/GPS approach at the destination airport. The air traffic controller did not provide approach clearance until it was inside the final approach fix and 1,000 feet above the FAF crossing altitude. The controller also issued a […]
Four survive midair collision during training flights
Aircraft: Piper Warrior, Piper Arrow. Injuries: None. Location: Chandler, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Both airplanes were on instructional flights with a CFI and a student pilot on board each airplane. The collision happened in daytime VFR conditions. The instructors reported that their students were simulating instrument conditions and were wearing view-limiting devices as they practiced […]
Gusting winds bend Maule
Aircraft: Maule MX-7-180C. Injuries: None. Location: Bishop, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot stated that about 15 minutes before arriving at the airport, he checked the automated surface observation system (ASOS), which reported variable wind at three knots. The radio communications on the airport common traffic advisory frequency indicated that runway 30 was in use, […]
Pilot loses control in IMC
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor. Location: Birmingham, Ala. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to fly an ILS approach. Review of data revealed that the autopilot approach mode was armed as the airplane intercepted the localizer course and was descending to 2,600 feet MSL. At that time, the autopilot was selected […]
Dark night approach, poor planning are bad combo
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Beatty, Nev. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The accident happened during a night flight. The pilot reported that a temporary flight restriction (TFR) was in effect for his intended airport and that he was unclear on whether the TFR would prevent him from landing at that airport. The TFR stated […]
Ground loop for Birddog
Aircraft: Cessna L-19. Injuries: None. Location: Lancaster, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane on the main wheels and upon slowing to about 20 mph, lowered the tailwheel to the runway. The airplane veered to the right. He attempted to regain control by applying the left brake, but over-corrected and the airplane ground […]
Poor decisions lead to crash
Aircraft: Cessna 210. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Tillatoba, Miss. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: When the pilot planned the long cross-country flight, he told flight service personnel that he expected to have to deviate due to thunderstorms. The pilot stated that he would stop short of the destination airport if he could not safely navigate around thunderstorm cells. […]
Soft field takeoff goes awry for student pilot
Aircraft: Jabiru Sport. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Goshen, Ind. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff, and as soon as the nose wheel lifted off the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The student pilot tried to correct the left turn by applying right rudder and aileron but was unsuccessful. […]