Aviation Safety

Knowing where the high terrain is, and marking it on your chart, doesnt mean you wont hit it.

As winter sets in, its time to change our thinking to accommodate the weather. We can start with prepping for cold-weather flying.

Seemingly insignificant items can have major consequences when we miss them. Meeting expectations for a smooth flight can require extra effort.

Landing is only part of the story; you still have to stop. How you use your brakes can mean the difference between book performance and a trip through the weeds.

The high teens and low twenties are popular altitudes to fly but come with their own challenges. Its just enough different that you may need this refresher.

At approximately 1115 Central time, the aircraft was destroyed when it impacted terrain; the Airline Transport pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed. At 1111:04, the pilot told ATC, “…were at one-one thousand; like to get down lower so we can get underneath this stuff.” Shortly after its pilot received a clearance to 3000 feet, the aircraft was observed in a nose-down spiral with parts separating from it. The witness stated it…

The aircraft collided with wires during the initial takeoff climb at about 0926 Mountain time. The Private pilot, an Airline Transport pilot-rated passenger and another passenger sustained fatal injuries; a post-crash fire destroyed the airplane. Visual conditions prevailed.A pilot-rated witness observed the airplane flying low and slow, just clearing treetop height. Its nose was high and tail low when it made a hard right banking turn towards the north and the ground; a large plume…

At approximately 0755 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff and initial climb. The Instrument-rated Commercial pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.A pilot-rated witness observed the accident airplane performing a normal climbout when it suddenly pitched upward and into a steep roll to the left. Although the witness did not see the actual impact, he did see the airplane trying to…

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0915 Central time when it impacted trees during a landing attempt. Visual conditions prevailed; the Student pilot received minor injuries. The accident occurred during the pilots first supervised solo flight.According to the observing instructor, during the landing attempt and while on short final, it appeared the airplane was […]

At 1132 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain following an inflight breakup. The Private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.While receiving flight following, the pilot asked the controller for a radar vector. The controller asked the pilot to state his present heading, to which the pilot […]