Accident Probes

A friend of mine died recently when his airplane crashed. He was returning to his home airport when the engine failed and his plane crashed short of the destination. Brad “Launchpad” Marzari was what I call a stone aviation junkie, as evidenced by his frequent, enthusiastic presence at major air shows like Sun ‘n Fun and […]

July 1, 2021, North Pole, Alaska Cessna 170B At about 1500 Alaska time, the airplane was destroyed during a takeoff attempt. The pilot and three passengers were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness observed the airplane take off and climb to about 100 feet above trees on the departure end of the runway. The […]

June 1, 2021, Pinnacle, N.C. Beech A23 Musketeer At about 1720 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged in an off-field landing. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane took off at about 1641, and began maneuvers consistent with training. At about 1718, the […]

We’ve long maintained that one of the best ways for a pilot to enhance his or her aviation risk management is to earn and use the instrument rating. This is especially true if the pilot in question has plans to use their pilot certificate for transportation on anything resembling a schedule. That’s because the skills, […]

May 1, 2021, Hutchinson, Kan. Beech 23 Musketeer At 0925 Central time, the airplane settled into terrain shortly after takeoff, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot received minor injuries; the three passengers were uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed for the Young Eagles flight. During takeoff, the pilot later reported, the airplane would not climb higher than treetop […]

Every now and then, I come across an NTSB accident report that leaves me shaking my head. After absorbing the facts and the outcome, I want to reach out to grab the pilot and shake him—it’s always a “him”—into some more enlightened state of awareness regarding the possible consequences of his actions. So it is […]

April 1, 2021, Augusta, Kan. Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140 At about 1630 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an engine power loss. The two pilots aboard were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot-in-command reported that he was performing a practice VOR/DME-A instrument approach with a safety pilot. Shortly […]

About this time each year, this magazine includes some admonishments to those planning to fly to an airshow. They can be as basic as recommending familiarity with an associated Notam or include a detailed analysis of the challenges. In either case, risk-management concepts like checking and understanding weather, and avoiding such human foibles as “get-there-itis,” […]

After the primary flight controls—elevator, rudder and ailerons on conventional airplanes—the most frequently used secondary control is pitch trim. That’s because a typical flight in any airplane involves a range of speeds, and pitch trim is used to minimize control forces throughout the operating envelope. Even if the pilot can supply that force, it’s fatiguing. […]

March 2, 2021, Johnstown, N.Y. Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion At about 0747 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its landing gear collapsed on a runway. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. While in cruise, the pilot heard an unfamiliar noise that became increasingly louder and he diverted to a nearby […]