November 1, 2005, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Cessna 172S
At about 1136 Eastern time, a Cessna 172S experienced a hard landing at the Daytona Beach International Airport. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Student pilot was not injured. The pilot stated that he did not apply adequate back pressure to the control yoke during the landing flare, and because of this, I bounced very roughly. He further stated that he executed a go-around after the hard landing, flew another traffic pattern and landed without further incident. Postflight examination of the airplane revealed damage to the firewall.
November 2, 2005, Sparks, Nev.
Schleicher ASH 26 E
The powered glider was destroyed and the Airline Transport pilot was seriously injured at about 0940 Pacific time when the aircraft experienced an in-flight breakup during an unknown phase of flight. Visual conditions prevailed at the impact site; undetermined conditions existed aloft. The pilot had been cleared to fly in an airspace block between FL180 and FL280. Controllers opined that the pilots communications sounded normal during conversations within minutes of their losing radio and radar contact. The last Mode C radar hit was at 0939:30, when the glider was about 0.8 nm north-northeast of Sparks. One minute later the glider was about 2.2 nm and 032 degrees from Sparks. Air traffic controllers at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport reported observing a target rapidly descend on their radar. Using binoculars while looking in the same general area, they observed a parachute. The pilot, with his deployed parachute, was located about 1.6 nm and 007 degrees from the main wreckage. The Reno Airport is about 4.8 nm south of the accident site. At 0956, Renos reported weather included wind from 190 degrees at 29 knots with gusts to 38 knots, few clouds at 10,000 feet and broken clouds at 15,000 and 25,000 feet. Lenticular clouds were present in the area.
November 5, 2005, Houston, Texas
Cessna Model 500 Citation
At 0958 Central time, the airplane was destroyed upon impacting terrain following a loss of control on takeoff. The Instrument-rated Commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. One witness later stated the aircraft appeared to have stalled during the ascent, banked to the right, crashing onto Runway 12L/30R. According to the NTSB, the passenger was employed by the pilot as a maintenance technician, and had been working on the airplane. The 1972 model airplane, serial number 004, was certified for single-pilot operation. Aircraft flight records indicate January 31, 2005, as its last previous flight.
November 6, 2005, Opa-Locka, Fla.
Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1613 Eastern time after experiencing a hard landing during the initial climb. Visual conditions prevailed; there were no injuries to the Flight Instructor (CFI), pilot-rated student, or rear-seat observer. The observer verbally reported to an NTSB investigator that he heard the CFI call for the landing gear to be retracted after takeoff. He felt the hydraulic pump start to work. He heard the CFI say the landing gear was not retracting or words to that effect, and also reported that the pitch of the airplane remained the same. He looked outside, noticed they were losing altitude and were going to impact the ground. He added that the sound of the engine never changed from the time of takeoff to the time of impact.
November 8, 2005, Datil, N.M.
Beech A36 Bonanza
The airplane was destroyed at approximately 1245 Mountain time when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The Private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Accident site investigation revealed the airplane impacted the tops of pine trees prior to impact with terrain. The wreckage was distributed on rising, rocky terrain and the main wreckage was located approximately 136 feet from the initial ground scar. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, portions of the left and right wings, the empennage and the engine. A post-impact fire ensued.
November 9, 2005, Bloomington, Ill.
Piper PA-23-160 Apache
At 2059 Central time the airplane received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a visual approach. Night visual conditions prevailed; the pilot was fatally injured. Earlier, the on-demand cargo flight departed from Peoria, Ill., but returned without incident after the pilot reported that the airplane door came open. The flight then departed at 2031. Subsequently, the pilot reported a rough right engine but, while diverting back to Peoria, the pilot diverted to Bloomington and crashed while maneuvering to land. The pilot did not declare an emergency.
November 9, 2005, Geyserville, Calif.
Beech F33A Bonanza
The airplane impacted mountainous terrain at about 1834 Pacific time. The Private pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Night visual conditions prevailed. At 1833, the pilot reported that he had the airport in sight and wanted to cancel VFR services. The controller terminated radar services, the pilot was instructed to squawk a 1200 beacon code, and the pilots frequency change was approved. No further radio transmissions were received from the pilot. Over the last minute of flight, radar data indicated that the radar target was descending from 4200 feet, through 4000 feet. The last recorded radar return at 1834 showed an altitude of 3500 feet about four miles northeast of the accident site. The airplane was located the following afternoon by local county sheriffs air unit. The air units crew flying the night of the accident reported a patchy and broken cloud layer with mountain obscuration in the general area. They also stated that it was a very dark night.
November 9, 2005, Leesburg, Va.
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior
At about 0930 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain. The Flight Instructor and Student pilot were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was performing touch and go landings in the airport traffic pattern. One witness observed the airplane bank left and cross in front of him. The left bank increased until the wings were straight up and down, then it just dropped straight towards the ground. Another witness observed the airplane during takeoff. She described seeing the airplane in a straight and level attitude. Then it banked left, and completed a U-turn. The airplane then pitched nose down, and descended quickly out of view.
November 11, 2005, Summerville, S.C.
Mooney M20M
The aircraft collided with trees, fell to the ground and burst into flames at 1418 Eastern during a landing approach. Visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot received serious injuries while the passenger was fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. According to witnesses, the airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted. The airplane was observed exiting a cloud of dust and climbing to about 500 feet. Witnesses said the airplane circled the runway to the left twice, and the pilot lowered the landing gear for an approach. During the descent the airplane went into the trees and collided with the ground 500 yards from the runway threshold.
November 19, 2005, Dana Point, Calif.
Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion
At 1403 Pacific time, the airplane impacted the Pacific Ocean and sank following a loss of control during cruise flight. The Airline Transport pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness on a sailboat approximately two miles offshore observed the airplane in a nose-low attitude spiraling toward the ocean, akin to a corkscrew pattern. He thought that the airplane was conducting aerobatic maneuvers. The airplane impacted the water in the nose-low attitude about 100 yards from the boat. The wreckage was recovered on November 22, 2005, and was transported to a salvage facility where a detailed examination will take place at a later date.
