Aviation Safety

May 15, 2005, Boca Raton, Fla. / BAC 167 Strikemaster MK83

The aircraft collided with a fence at about 0916 Eastern time during an aborted takeoff from the Boca Raton Airport. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged; the Commercial pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The pilot stated he performed a flight control continuity check before taxiing onto the runway for takeoff. During the takeoff roll and at the calculated rotation speed (70 knots), he applied back pressure to the control column but the elevator control stuck in position. The takeoff roll continued and he performed trim adjustments, and moved the flap selector without any effect. He then aborted the takeoff by applying maximum braking and the…

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May 16, 2005, Nashville, Tenn. / Piper PA-18-150

At 1745 Central daylight time, the airplane collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering on initial climb. Visual conditions prevailed; the airplane was destroyed. The Private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. A witness observed the airplane departing from Runway 1. After departure the airplane went into a fairly quick climbing turn. The climb appeared to get steeper and the bank angle got steep and then it started going down. The left wing dropped down and the nose of the airplane pitched down. Another witness heard the airplane collide with the ground….

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May 9, 2005 in Kissimmee, Fla. / North American SNJ-6

The airplane broke up in flight at 1620 Eastern time while performing aerobatics during a mock combat operation. Visual conditions prevailed; the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight instructor and the Commercial pilot/student were fatally injured. Witnesses on ground reported seeing the airplane conducting a series of aerobatic maneuvers when the right wing separated from the airplane. The airplane then entered a spin, descended rapidly and collided with the ground….

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May 12, 2005 in Missoula, Mont. / Cessna 150TW

At approximately 1520 Mountain time, the tailwheel-equipped airplane collided with a runway sign during the landing roll. The Private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, who landed on Runway 25, he was cleared by the tower to turn off the runway at Taxiway Echo. While attempting to make the right-hand turn onto the taxiway, the pilot inadvertently turned too soon, and the aircraft collided with the runway identification sign near the intersection of the runway and the taxiway. The force of the impact resulted in the right main gear leg attachment box being bent and distorted. According to th…

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May 13, 2005, Harrisonburg, Va. / Aeronca 65-TAC

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 1130 Eastern time; the Commercial pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed the Winchester Regional Airport in Winchester, Va. The airplane came to rest on rural, hilly terrain, owned by a relative of the pilot and who witnessed the accident. He heard the engine sputter, and specifically recalled hearing the engine increase in power, followed by a sudden, total silence. About two to three seconds later, he heard the sounds of an impact, and responded to the accident scene. The witness also noted that on several previous occasions, the pilot had flown past…

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May 13, 2005, Dover, Del. / Piper PA28-140

At about 2300 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during the initial climb from the Chandelle Estates Airport (0N4) in Dover, Del. The Commercial pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the flight, which was destined for Allentown, Penn. According to the pilot, he did not experience any problems with the airplane during the run-up, and that the engine lost power during the initial climb. The wreckage was located approximately mile off of the departure end of the runway….

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May 13, 2005, Saluda, Va. / Ercoupe 415C

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 2100 Eastern time after it experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from Hummel Field, Saluda, Va. The Private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that the airplane was about 100 feet above the runway when it lost engine power. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane to the field; however, it struck a fence and a tractor….

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May 14, 2005, Houston, Texas / Cessna 210L

The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 2230 Central time when it struck a parked airplane following a loss of directional control during the landing roll at the Weiser Air Park (EYQ), near Houston, Texas. The Commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. The cross-country flight originated from the Lakefront Airport (NEW), New Orleans, La. The pilot later reported that after a normal approach to Runway 27 and at an indicated airspeed of approximately 90 knots, the airplane landed some 500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left every time the pilot applied brakes. T…

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May 14, 2005, Creswell, Ore. / Pitts S-1C

At about 1445 Pacific time, the aircraft sustained substantial damage following an in-flight loss of engine power and subsequent off-airport, forced landing. The Private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The pilot reported that approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, while in straight and level flight at 4000 feet msl, the engine began to run rough and eventually quit. After experiencing the loss of power, the pilot initiated a landing to a nearby open field. During the landing rollout, the airplane encountered tall grass and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage….

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Got Gas?

Running out of gas is inexcusable and preventable. Here are the things you need to know about fuel to get you back on the ground.

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Pilot in aircraft
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