NTSB Reports

The pilot-rated passenger later stated he verified that the flaps were down and the three green landing gear lights were illuminated in the cockpit during the approach. Just before landing, he heard the angle of attack indicator alarm. The airplane landed hard, and he heard a loud pop and felt the left main landing gear fracture. The airplane then slid off the left side of the runway, colliding with PAPI lights, and continued sliding until the right wing dug into the ground. The airplane then flipped over and caught fire. The cockpit canopy was jammed, but several observers helped open it and egress the two occupants.

Key Takeaways:

• Many accidents occurred during critical phases of flight such as takeoff, climb, landing, and go-around, frequently involving engine power loss or loss of control.
• Incidents included mid-air collisions, in-flight breakups, controlled flight into terrain, and hard landings, often resulting in substantial damage or fatalities.
• Contributing factors ranged from mechanical failures (e.g., engine issues, gear fracture, vacuum pump shear) and post-maintenance issues to human factors like disorientation in poor visibility or distraction during flight.
• NTSB data from 2006-2015 indicates that while landing has the most general aviation accidents, other flight phases tend to be more lethal.

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