February 2006
December 26, 2005, Marshall, Minn. / Piper PA-31-350 Navajo
Subscribers Only At about 2030 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power from both engines. Night instrument conditions prevailed for the non-revenue positioning flight. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized for observation. At 2035, nearby weather included wind from 260 degrees at four knots; visibility three statute miles and an overcast sky at 300 feet....
December 24, 2005, Ramona, Calif. / Lancair 320 Experimental
Subscribers Only The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at 1310 Pacific time. The Private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, the flight was about 35 miles out from its destination when he initiated a descent by reducing power. About four miles from the airport at 4000 feet, engine rpm and manifold pressure began to steadily decrease. The engine did not regain power, and the pilot diverted his attention to an emergency landing spot. During the forced landing the left wingtip clipped a tree limb and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot had purchased the ai...
December 24, 2005, Portland, Ore. / Cessna 208B Caravan
Subscribers Only At 0744 Pacific time the airplane collided with an antenna and terrain during takeoff and initial climb. The solo Commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed for the Part 135 cargo flight. According to preliminary information provided by ATC, the airplane was cleared for takeoff on Runway 21 from intersection Charlie. The airplane failed to gain altitude and struck the glideslope antenna and a fence before coming to rest on a golf course located adjacent to the airport....
December 24, 2005, Niwot, Colo. / Kitfox Experimental
Subscribers Only The airplane was destroyed at approximately 0925 Mountain time when it departed controlled flight while maneuvering and impacted terrain. Visual conditions prevailed; the pilot and passenger suffered fatal injuries. Witnesses said they saw the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude. The witnesses then saw the airplane descend in a nose-low attitude and impact terrain at the edge of a lake....
December 23, 2005, Livermore, Calif / Beech 36 Bonanza
Subscribers Only At 1520 Pacific time the airplane collided with hilly terrain and was substantially damaged. The Instrument rated Private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed at the accident site. After receiving a pop-up IFR clearance, the airplane was cleared for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach for Runway 25R and was given the current weather conditions of 600 feet overcast and three miles visibility. Shortly thereafter, controllers unsuccessfully attempted to contact the pilot. The airplane came to rest at an approximate altitude of 1467 feet msl. The ILS Runway 25R approach’s glideslope intercept altitude is 2800 feet msl....
December 22, 2005, La Verne, Calif. / Beech F33A Bonanza and Cessna 172N
Subscribers Only The Cessna was substantially damaged—but the Bonanza was emerged unscathed—when they both collided on short final at 1054 Pacific time. No one aboard either airplane was injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the Beech pilot, ATC cleared him to land on Runway 26R. He accidentally set up for landing on Runway 26L. While on short final, he felt his airplane hit something and heard the controller instruct him to go around. The pilot went around and set up for an uneventful landing. The Cessna landed uneventfully although its left wing was bent upward about 30 degrees....
December 21, 2005 in Chaplin, Conn. / Beech 23
Subscribers Only At 0953 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power. The Airline Transport pilot was seriously injured; visual conditions prevailed. The pilot stated that, while on approach, the engine ran roughly, then completely lost power. He switched fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart, but was unsuccessful. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane toward a snow-covered field. The accident scene displayed considerable evidence of there being ample fuel aboard the aircraft and the engine was subsequently started, and run continuously on the airframe without interruption....
December 21, 2005, Peyton, Colo. / Piper PA-28-235
Subscribers Only The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on downwind at approximately 1140 Mountain time. The Private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured; visual conditions prevailed. Just prior to turning right base and at 1000 feet agl, the engine lost partial power. The pilot turned toward the runway but attempted a forced landing to a nearby road. During the forced landing, the airplane landed in a ditch approximately 20 feet from the road. The airplane’s right wing struck a fence post, and the airplane came to rest upright. The pilot reported the right wing was bent, the right main landing gear was separate...
December 21, 2005, Gilroy, Calif. / Cessna 172
Subscribers Only At 2055 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain following a loss of control, fatally injuring the non-Instrument-rated Private pilot and three passengers. The airplane was destroyed. Night instrument conditions prevailed. Before takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing during which VFR was not recommended for his route of flight. After takeoff, the pilot obtained flight following but soon reported having trouble maintaining outside visual contact and controlling the airplane; he requested help getting back to the airport. Controllers attempted to assist the pilot back to the departure airport; however, the radar data depicted the airplane entering a series of turns before radar con...
December 16, 2005, Butte, Mon. / Piper PA-28-181
Subscribers Only The solo Private pilot was fatally injured when the airplane impacted terrain at approximately 1745 Mountain time. The airplane was destroyed. Shortly before the accident, a pilot-rated witness saw an aircraft come out of a snow squall and fly past him. The aircraft continued to the north for a short period of time and then reversed course. It eventually flew out of sight; the witness then heard a sudden and significant increase in the engine’s power. The airplane hit a steep slope in the mountainous terrain. The witness reported it was already dark when he saw the airplane; there were low clouds and snow falling in the area....
December 16, 2005, Hialeah, Fla. / Cessna 172P
Subscribers Only At about 1700 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing. Visual conditions prevailed. The Certified Flight Instructor and Student pilot were uninjured. The CFI later stated that he was demonstrating a soft-field landing and the airplane was fast and floated down the runway. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane on the runway; it traveled off the end onto grass and nosed over. The CFI stated there was no malfunction of the airplane or its systems....
December 14, 2005, Dunkirk, N.Y. / Piper PA-46-310P and Smith Aerostar 601P
Subscribers Only Both airplanes were substantially damaged when they collided while while landing at about 1200 Eastern time. None of the six persons aboard both airplanes was injured; visual conditions prevailed. The Malibu was landing on Runway 6 as the Aerostar landed on Runway 15. The right wing of each airplane made contact at the runway intersection, and both right wings sustained substantial damage....
December 14, 2005, Dixon, Calif. / Cessna 177RG Cardinal
Subscribers Only At 1652 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed on colliding with a static line and impacted the ground. The solo Airline Transport pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. A CFI and student noticed the airplane at about 200 feet agl traveling at a high groundspeed. The CFI then noticed a flash or spark and saw the airplane impact transmission lines, followed immediately by the airplane’s impact with the ground and post impact fire. Prior to the transmission line impact, the airplane did not appear to be having a problem. The static line was strung between two towers about 140 feet agl. According to the United States Naval Observatory, sunset took place at 1647. The end...
December 13, 2005, Pinion, N.M. / Cessna 172S
Subscribers Only The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at 1931 Mountain time. Night visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot was fatally injured. According to Albuquerque (ABQ) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the pilot was receiving radar flight following for the cross-country flight. The pilot reported in with ABQ ARTCC at 1918 at an altitude of 11,500 feet msl. No further communications were made and radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted in a 45-degree nose-down attitude and debris was scattered in a 400-foot radius around the main wreckage....
December 11, 2005, Arco, Minn. / Cirrus Design Corp. SR22
Subscribers Only At 1716 Central time the airplane was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain near Arco, Minn. Instrument and marginal visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) had deployed as a result of the impact sequence and not as an intentional activation by the pilot....
December 8, 2005, Chicago, Ill. / Boeing 737-700
Subscribers Only One person on the ground died and 12 others suffered injuries when the Southwest Airlines flight slid off the runway at Chicago Midway Airport while landing. The airplane slid off the runway and went through a barrier fence and onto a roadway. There were 98 passengers onboard and five crew members on board. An emergency evacuation was accomplished....
December 8, 2005, Columbia, S.C. / Piper PA-34 Seneca
Subscribers Only At 1244 Eastern time the airplane made an emergency landing following an uncommanded pitch-up during takeoff. Although the airplane was substantially damaged, the pilot did not report any injuries. During takeoff, the airplane pitched up violently, climbing to approximately 200 feet. The pilot made an emergency landing. The airplane landed hard and veered off the right side of the runway 1000 feet from its departure end. The bolt connecting the stabilator trim tab to the stabilator control arm was missing....
December 1, 2005, Nantucket, Mass. / Beech Model B55 Baron
Subscribers Only The airplane was presumed destroyed during a collision with water at 1644 Eastern time while on approach to the Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK). The Commercial pilot was not located, and presumed to be fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Teterboro Airport (TEB), Teterboro, New Jersey, about 1530. Earlier in the day, the pilot flew his son to TEB, dropped him off, and refueled the airplane to capacity. Radar contact and radio communication were lost when the airplane was approximately one mile from the airport, at about 200 feet msl. The weather at ACK at 1653, included wind from 020 degrees at 17 knots; visibility 2½ miles in light rain and mist; ov...
December 1, 2005, Raymond, Miss. / Piper PA-30
Subscribers Only At 1357 Central time, the airplane was destroyed on impact with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from Runway 30 at the William John Bell Airport, (M16). The Instrument-rated Commercial pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was intended as a ferry flight to have required maintenance performed. Visual conditions prevailed. All aircraft components of the 1964-vintage airplane were original equipment on the aircraft since new and showed a total time according to the logbooks of 5123 hours. Several witnesses reported hearing abnormal engine sounds during the takeoff. At approximately 100 feet agl, they also heard a pop or bang followed by an immediate rig...
Squawk Box: 02/06
Subscribers Only The following information is derived from the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts. ---------- Aeronca 7AC Cracked Wing Spar A submitter states, “The aft righthand spar has a longitudinal crack on the lower end. The crack is located at the strut attach point. (This) spar also shows signs of rotting—inboard of the crack area.” No description of this crack or dimensions was provided, nor was there an included part number for the spar. Part Total Time: 4138.1 hours. Beechcraft Model A-36 Bonanza Imploded Tip Tank The airplane was fitted with Osborne Inc. auxiliary fuel tip tanks. The righthand tank (p/n 55000-105) imploded, prob...
Breaking The Flick
It was a warm summer Saturday, the kind of day that’s perfect for putting in some time on the airplane. This would also be a great chance to wash the bird, which had collected some dust from sitting and some bugs from flying. Besides, what could be a better way to cool off than spraying an airplane with someone else’s water? After an hour or so of scrubbing and rubbing, most of the bugs were off and all the dust had been washed away. I wiped down the windows, inside and out, and started securing the airplane and the hose I had used. That’s when I noticed the chamois cloth I use on my cars to dry them after a wash job. Standing back and looking at the plane, I could see the beaded-up w...
NTSB Preliminary Reports
Subscribers Only December 1, 2005, Raymond, Miss. Piper PA-30 At 1357 Central time, the airplane was destroyed on impact with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from Runway 30 at the William John Bell Airport, (M16). The Instrument-rated Commercial pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was intended as a ferry flight to have required maintenance performed. Visual conditions prevailed. All aircraft components of the 1964-vintage airplane were original equipment on the aircraft since new and showed a total time according to the logbooks of 5123 hours. Several witnesses reported hearing abnormal engine sounds during the takeoff. At approximately 100 feet...
One-Minute Briefing: Accident Probe 02/06
Subscribers Only To get results from your weather briefing, you have to make a small investment of your time.
Turbo Failure!
Subscribers Only When a turbo fails, it’s time for some quick thinking and a turn toward the nearest suitable airport. Here’s one incident that worked out.
Top Five Approach Traps
Subscribers Only Pilots are always finding new ways to screw up an instrument approach. Look out for these five mistakes.
False Redundancy
Subscribers Only If you think your airplane has enough back-up systems to make single-component failures a non-event, you could be wrong. Redundant systems often aren’t.
Learning Aerobatics
Subscribers Only The ultimate expression of freedom in flight requires training, the right equipment and a broader understanding of the operating environment.
Rogue’s Gallery
Subscribers Only Attitude is everything, whether discussing the aircraft or its pilot. How to tell if you or someone else has what it takes to be a “rogue pilot.”
Unicom: 02/06
Where Are You Going? Your recent commentary (Editor’s Log, December 2005) ending with “...you can’t count on ATC to even know who you are and where you’re going” is so totally true it’s scary. It reminded me of an incident that happened to me a couple of years ago. I had filed from Palwaukee, Ill., to Detroit Lakes, Minn., with a “direct” request. The standard departure for Runway 16 out of PWK is a hard right turn to a 360-degree heading. As I rolled out on 360 and went to Departure, I was given a further turn to 040. I thought that was for traffic, as I often have to go north toward Milwaukee before going northwest toward Minneapolis. My next instruction, however, was to p...
Editor's Log: 02/06
Subscribers Only Odds And Ends Several interesting things have crossed my desk in the last month or so. None of them alone justify taking up all of this space but, together, they comprise a reminder of the responsibilities owners and operators have to keep their aircraft airworthy, both legally and technically, and to conduct safe operations. There’s a lot more I could say about each of these items, but I’ll bite my tongue and encourage readers to chime in with comments. I’ll consider running them in a future issue. ---------- Aircraft Registration On December 1, 2005, the FAA reminded (read: warned) pilots and aircraft owners that it and the Transportation Security Administration...