NTSB Reports: Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

The pilot and flight instructor had been flying for over two hours, doing air work and making touch-and-go landings at area airports. Returning to the airplane’s base, they were making a final touch-and-go landing when the engine lost power. Unable to glide back to the runway, the flight instructor made a forced landing in a plowed field north of the airport. The airplane touched down hard, shearing off the landing gear and sliding 60 feet before coming to a stop. The firewall was buckled. The flight instructor and pilot sustained minor injuries. Examination revealed the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. One quart of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank had not been compromised and contained fuel.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 26, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Many accidents involved engine power loss, frequently attributed to improper fuel management (e.g., incorrect tank selection, low fuel, water contamination) or foreign object obstructions in the engine's air intake or carburetor.
Loss of control during critical phases of flight, particularly takeoff and landing, was a recurring issue, sometimes exacerbated by environmental factors (e.g., downdrafts), pilot technique, or mechanical failures such as compromised braking systems or flight control malfunctions.
Several incidents highlighted significant maintenance deficiencies (e.g., severely overdue annual inspections, unaddressed mechanical faults) and pilot-related lapses (e.g., uncertified pilot, expired medical certificate, suspected incapacitation) as contributing factors.

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July 2, 2013, Bridgeport, Texas Beech P35 Bonanza
The pilot and flight instructor had been flying for over two hours, doing air work and making touch-and-go landings at area airports. Returning to the airplane’s base, they were making a final touch-and-go landing when the engine lost power. Unable to glide back to the runway, the flight instructor made a forced landing in a plowed field north of the airport. The airplane touched down hard, shearing off the landing gear and sliding 60 feet before coming to a stop. The firewall was buckled. The flight instructor and pilot sustained minor injuries. Examination revealed the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. One quart of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank had not been compromised and contained fuel.

July 5, 2013, Blairstown, N.J. Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
The airplane was departing an airport near a ridge. During climbout shortly after departure, the airplane descended as if it was in a strong downdraft and could not maintain altitude.