Aviation Safety

On February, 23, 2013, we had an airport open house at the Venice, Fla., Municipal Airport. It was a beautiful day, with a great turnout of people and airplanes, and a mix of aircraft ranging from LSAs to jets. Some attendees got more than they bargained for, however. That occurred when a pilotless Piper Malibu roared out of its parking spot, across a taxiway and into a ditch. The aircraft and its owner were not taking part in the open house, though many people including pilots and visitors got to watch. It was fortunate the airplane hit the ditch since the opportunities to cause not only breathtaking damage to other aircraft but also loss of life were huge.

At 0805 Central time, the two airplanes collided in-flight. Both airplanes were able to land following the collision. The Cirrus SR22 sustained substantial damage to the upper cockpit fuselage structure; its commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The Cessna 152 sustained minor damage to the right main landing gear; the CFI and student pilot were not […]

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1350 Mountain time during a forced landing. The private pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported the engine lost power while climbing through about 5800 feet msl, Despite multiple attempts, he was unable to restart it. The pilot initiated a […]

The airplane collided with rough terrain at about 1630 Mountain time, following a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and subsequent forced landing. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later stated that, while cruising at about 2000 feet agl, the engine […]

At about 1135 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while maneuvering. The private pilot, who occupied the left seat, and the CFI occupying the right seat sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. A line service person who assisted the pilot in preparing the airplane for the flight reported the […]

The helicopter was substantially damaged at about 1750 Central time during a forced landing. The commercial pilot was not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported a loss of tail rotor effectiveness after takeoff and executed a forced landing to a concrete apron on the airport. Initial examination of the helicopter revealed the tail […]

The airplane was substantially damaged and its pilot fatally injured upon impact with terrain at about 0930 Mountain time. Visual conditions prevailed. While it was on a right downwind leg for landing, ATC’s radio and visual contact with the airplane were lost. Shortly thereafter, the controller noticed a dust cloud on the surface southwest of […]

After touchdown on the ice and snow covered runway, the airplane began drifting to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with left rudder input; however, the airplane continued to the right and the right main landing gear entered the snow off the runway surface. The airplane impacted a snowbank, nosed over and came to […]

At about 1314 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain in a farm pasture shortly after takeoff. Day visual conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured.Shortly after takeoff, at about 300 feet agl, the pilot transmitted a mayday over the tower frequency. The flight was subsequently cleared to […]

At about 2145 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged while taxiing. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported the accident occurred as he was taxiing on an unlit taxiway. As the airplane approached the end of the taxiway adjacent to the runway threshold, the right wing […]