Aviation Safety

At 1750 Central time, the airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was killed. A witness observed the airplane approaching his house and reported its fuselage was swaying from left to right. The airplane then made a steep left turn, with its left wing appearing perpendicular to the ground. The airplane reversed its course and leveled out. The wings were observed to wobble, then the airplane pitched down and collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1030 Pacific time when it impacted mountainous terrain. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were killed. The airplane came to rest in a near-vertical attitude on an approximate 40-degree slope. The leading edge of the left and right wings were crushed aft throughout their span. The forward area of the fuselage was crushed aft. All major structural components and flight controls of the airplane were located at the accident site.

At 1230 Mountain time, the airplane landed gear-up at the end of a Part 135 tour flight. The pilot and five passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage/fuselage after sliding 1300 feet down the runway. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps, and then banked the airplane to show a point of interest to passengers. He later wrote, “This action so close to the runway distracted me, and I failed to lower the gear.”

The airplane experienced partial power loss while in the traffic pattern, and landed short of the approach end of the runway at 1634 Pacific time. The solo private pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 1005 Mountain time, killing the two airline transport pilots and their passenger. At the time of the accident, the airplane was flying in an area of low ceilings and restricted visibility.

The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 1915 Central time during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplanes nosewheel dug into the ground and the airplane “nosed over,” coming to rest in the inverted position. The solo pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a home at about 1115 Eastern time, following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The solo commercial pilot was killed. Visual conditions prevailed. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot flew the airplane from Costa Rica to Florida, where it sat for two days. The pilot was ferrying the airplane to a new owner.

At about 1425 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.

I recently rented a Cherokee for a short flight. When I went up to the rental office, I was handed the book for the plane containing all of the pertinent information particular to it. On the books cover I found a notice stating in large bold print: “After flight please place the propeller in the vertical position.” I understand the reasoning behind that request is to signal fuel truck drivers to fill the tanks of any aircraft with a vertical propeller. One of the very first things I do as a renter after opening the door of an airplane I intend to fly is to make certain all switches are in their proper place. Afterward, I begin the in-cockpit portion of my pre-flight: Engage the battery to ensure all lights and beacons are working.

During slow-flight maneuvers, the instructor noticed the green, landing gear “safe” light was not illuminated. The student observed the left gear was hanging out-and swinging. The gear was cycled, but the left main remained free and disconnected. The instructor elected to retract the right and nose gears and land gear-up. Maintenance found the left gear pivot had sheared at the spline shaft. The right gear was removed and Zyglo checked. Close inspection found the right pivot was cracked three-quarters of the circumference around the spline shaft, nearing complete failure. Gear pivot p/n: 22411143.