Accident Probes

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 2021 Eastern time when it collided with trees and terrain following a total loss of engine power on approach. The instructor pilot/owner-operator and the commercial-rated pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. Night visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1030 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain following a total loss of engine power while maneuvering for landing. The foreign-rated pilot seated in the left front seat and the pilot-rated passenger seated in the right rear seat were seriously injured. The pilot seated in the right front seat and the passenger seated in the left rear seat received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane impacted terrain at an undetermined time. The solo private pilot was fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument conditions prevailed; the flight was not operating on an IFR clearance. The flight departed Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Tulsa, Okla.

At about 1710 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a field while performing low-level aerobatics. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The float-equipped airplane was substantially damaged at 1630 Eastern time during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The private pilot/owner and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1205 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight. The private pilot was not injured, but the pilot-rated-passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

By The Numbers: U.S. Civil Aviation Accidents

Under basic Part 91 rules for certified aircraft, everything aboard has to be documented and working. The aircraft can remain airworthy if failed equipment isn’t required for the operation, and is placarded and isolated from other systems. But an airplane is like any other mechanical contrivance: it’s subject to wear and tear: A system may function, but not as intended.A good example can be braking systems. Those on typical personal airplanes are hydraulically actuated, as…

To me, showing off in an airplane means conducting an efficient flight as planned and avoiding the worst weather, culminating in a smooth landing and an on-time arrival. For others, it might mean loops and rolls, flying inverted or a seemingly endless series of other aerobatic maneuvers visible to spectators. Each operation carries its own risks.

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.