July 2, 2024, San Diego, Calif.
Cessna 172N Skyhawk
At about 1200 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it overran the end of the runway during an emergency landing following engine failure. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The airplane took off from Runway 28R, intending a right downwind departure. During the turn from crosswind to the downwind leg, at about 1000 feet agl, the pilot heard a loud “pop” and noticed brown smoke flowing from the engine compartment. The airplane began shaking before the engine lost all power. The pilot performed the engine-failure checklist and landed on Runway 10L but could not stop before overrunning the departure end of the runway and nosing over.
July 4, 2024, Myerstown, Penn.
Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0400 Eastern daylight time after an aborted takeoff. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured.
During the takeoff roll, at about 50-60 knots, the pilot noticed a flashing exhaust gas temperature indication and aborted the takeoff. After coming to a stop in the opposite runway’s runup area, He pulled off onto the turnaround area at the north end of the runway to troubleshoot the problem, a red “X” appeared over the oil pressure display and one of the passengers noticed flames coming from the right side of the engine cowling. The pilot shut down the engine, exited the airplane with the passengers and attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire bottle and blankets. The local fire department assist in extinguishing the fire, which caused substantial damage to the forward fuselage and engine.
July 4, 2024, Irwin, Idaho
Game Composites GB1 Gamebird
At about 1725 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the surface of a reservoir while practicing aerobatics. The solo pilot was fatally injured.
Witnesses located on the reservoir observed the airplane perform a series of solo aerobatic maneuvers. On the last series, they saw the airplane fly nearly vertical, with aerobatic smoke on, where it performed a tight, pivoting turn to a vertical descent. Immediately afterward, the airplane entered a flat spin maneuver. After multiple revolutions, the airplane entered a nose-low dive and impacted the water.
July 6, 2024, Hillrose, Colo.
Cessna R172E/T-41B Mescalero
The airplane sustained minor damage when its ailerons jammed in-flight and it was landed on a nearby highway at around 1426 Mountain time. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.
While retracting the flaps after performing a practice stall recovery, they heard a loud “pop.” The flight instructor took over the flight controls from the student pilot and noticed the ailerons were jammed. The flight instructor elected to make an emergency landing to a highway, maneuvering only with the rudder for directional control. The flight instructor landed the airplane without further damage. Examination revealed the left inboard flap support exhibited damage consistent with binding. The outboard portion of the left flap also exhibited evidence of contact with the inboard portion of the left aileron.
July 6, 2024, Eatonville, Wash.
Champion 7GCBC Citabria
At about 2122 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its pilot apparently lost control in flight. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
Two witnesses observed the accident airplane about 10 feet above the treetops and lower than an adjacent ridgeline. The airplane was slow as it maintained a nose-high attitude; the engine was producing smooth, continuous power. The airplane then performed a turn to the left, rolled inverted and disappeared out of their line of sight below a tree canopy. The accident site was at 803 feet msl, with terrain rising south and east to 1400 feet msl.
July 7, 2024, Rutherfordton, N.C.
Cessna 182A
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 2107 Eastern time when it collided with terrain. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured.
The pilot and the two skydiving instructors departed shortly before 2030 for a 60-nm flight back to base. At 2044, one of the skydiving instructors sent a text message indicating that the flight was going as planned. A witness on top of a hill noticed an airplane that was steadily flying toward the 182’s destination, noting “the engine sounded strong” and that the airplane was under the clouds, about 1500 feet above him. The witness also advised that there was a “lot” of moisture and fog.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data depict the airplane on a track of 151 degrees at 5800 feet msl when it entered a series of descending spirals. At 2106:48, the last ADS-B data point showed the airplane on a track of 100 degrees at 2250 feet and 136 knots. Evidence at the accident site was consistent with the airplane impacting the mountainous terrain in a wings-level, nose-low attitude at about 2000 feet msl.
July 10, 2024, Thomasville, Ga.
Long-EZ Experimental
At about 1230 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was landed off-airport after the wooden propeller lost part of one of its blades. The private pilot was not injured.
The airplane was in cruise at 11,500 feet msl and maneuvering around weather when the pilot was forced to descend “very quickly” to 3500 feet to remain clear of clouds. Leveling off, the airplane began to “violently shake” and then experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to glide to a nearby airport and performed a forced landing in a field. In addition to the propeller damage, a section of lower engine cowling was missing and two engine mounts were sheared off at the firewall.
July 10, 2024, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1410 Eastern time when it made an off-airport landing following an apparent engine failure. The flight instructor and private pilot were fatally injured.
The flight departed Sarasota, Fla., at 1121. At 1247, it performed a touch-and-go at Melbourne, Fla., and then flew south to West Palm Beach, Fla., where it performed another touch-and-go landing. During the subsequent takeoff, the airplane reached an altitude of 75 feet agl, made a right turn and was 25 feet agl above a pond at the last recorded ADS-B data point. A witness described a 180-degree descending right turn into the pond.
The fuel selector valve was found on the right tank and was in the detent for that position. The valve passed compressed air in both the left and right tank positions. Both fuel tank vent lines were unobstructed. About 12 to 14 gallons of liquid consistent with 100LL avgas was found in the left main fuel tank. The main fuel tank in the separated right wing contained water. The propeller remained attached to the engine. No damage was noted to one of the two propeller blades; the other propeller blade was bent aft about five degrees, at about six inches from the blade tip. Initial testing of the electronic magnetos, installed under a supplemental type certificate (STC), appeared inconclusive.
July 11, 2014, Aguadilla, P.R.
Cessna 402B Utiliner/Businessliner
At about 0923 Atlantic time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after the pilot reported an engine failure. The solo private pilot was fatally injured, and a person on the ground sustained minor injuries.
At about 0917, the flight was cleared for takeoff from Runway 08. At 0921:31, the pilot reported vibration from the right engine and was immediately cleared to land on the departure runway. At 0922:25, the pilot declared an emergency due to engine failure and was cleared to land on Runway 26. As the airplane neared the runway threshold, the tower controllers observed the airplane abruptly roll to the right and descend vertically into terrain.
A mechanic who assisted the pilot with his preflight inspection observed all four fuel tanks were found near empty or about one-third full during the preflight inspection. The pilot added 13 gallons total of 100LL fuel, after which the mechanic estimated the left main fuel tank contained about 15 gallons and the right main fuel tank was “super low” in his visual estimation.
From November 2020 to April 2024 the maintenance records showed that the airplane had flown 1.4 hours. The most recent annual inspection was completed June 6, 2019. An annual inspection maintenance endorsement dated April 24, 2024, noted that the airplane was “UNAIRWORTHY” and included a three-page list of discrepancies involving the engines and airframe, the majority of which had not been corrected before the accident flight.
July 19, 2024, Vienna Center, Ohio
Beechcraft B60 Duke
The airplane was destroyed at about 1904 Eastern time when it collided with terrain during an attempted single-engine go-around. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured.
The flight departed Plattsburgh, New York, at 1651, destined for Columbus, Ohio, and cruised at 16,500 feet. As it neared Youngstown, Ohio, the pilot informed ATC that the airplane’s left engine had lost power and he could not maintain altitude. The airplane circled near the approach end of Runway 32, and then proceeded along the runway while continuing to descend. About 3000 feet from the departure end of the runway, ADS-B data indicated the airplane was close to field elevation at a groundspeed of 131 knots. At the end of the runway, the airplane turned left at a groundspeed of 95 knots. The airplane impacted terrain about ¼ mile west of the departure end of Runway 32. A post-accident fire consumed a majority of the wreckage. The landing gear were found in the extended position.
July 25, 2024, Trenton, Maine
Cirrus Design SR22
At about 1225 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
The flight departed Morristown, New Jersey, at 1016. A witness working beside the runway heard the airplane’s engine noise go to full power. When he looked up, saw it in a sharp left turn before it descended to the ground. He described weather conditions as “brutal” and said he could barely see the airplane at 100 yards away, due to the thick fog. Weather observed at 1156 included a visibility of 1.5 miles in light rain and mist, and an overcast ceiling at 300 feet.
July 26, 2024, Recluse, Wyo.
Pilatus PC-12/47E
The airplane was destroyed at about 1304 Mountain time when it collided with terrain after an apparent loss of control. The pilot and six passengers were fatally injured.
The airplane departed Nebraska City, Nebraska, at about 1200, with an intended destination of Billings, Montana. It cruised at FL260. At about 1302, the airplane maneuvered to the right of course, climbed to about 27,550 feet msl and performed a 270-degree right turn, descending to 25,250 feet in the first 180 degrees of the turn and then climbing to about 27,025 feet in the last 90 degrees. Shortly afterward, the airplane made a slight left turn before it began a descending 180-degree right turn. The last data point showed the airplane on a southerly heading, at about 21,900 feet msl with a groundspeed of 256 knots. During the last portion of the flight, the pilot reported loss of the autopilot and declared an emergency. Radio and radar contact were lost shortly thereafter.
A witness reported hearing a “loud whining noise” that diminished and then increased followed shortly thereafter by smoke emanating from the area of the accident site. Fragments of the airplane were scattered throughout an approximate 300-foot radius from the main wreckage. Two sections of the left wing and various fragments of the airplane were located along a debris path that extended about 0.82 miles from the main wreckage on a heading of about 300 degrees magnetic. All major components of the airplane were contained within the accident site and debris path.
