Aviation Safety

Spoiled by the accuracy of GPS, some pilots forget that VORs have a number of places where errors can build up

Who needs em? The overhead or modified overhead offers some relief from boredom, but also sharpens emergency landing skills

Snow only keeps wimps on the ground, right? Maybe, but maybe not. It depends on where youre going

Long layoff from instrument flying turns experienced pilots skills to rust and brings the end in a graveyard

Three fighters zoomed by on approach to the same runway. The tailpipes were glowing red and looked like they were 10 feet in diameter

Mechanics and owners still appear to take shortcuts in inspecting Janitrol heaters

Selected recent general aviation and airline accidents

At about 1300 central time, a Vans RV-6T was struck by a Lancair 360 while the two amateur-built airplanes were taxiing after landing on runway 27 at Wittman Regional Airport. The RV-6 had landed and was exiting the runway when the Lancair landed and struck the RV-6s left wing. The accident occurred during the AirVenture fly-in, at which time controllers use the runway for several aircraft simultaneously….

At about 1500 eastern time, a Piper PA-34-200T struck trees while maneuvering near Galion. The pilot and one passenger were killed, two other passengers suffered serious injuries. The flight had departed Akron VFR about 50 minutes earlier but there were instrument conditions in the area. The pilot was receiving flight following to Galion and, as he approached, asked the controller where the airport was. The controller said the airplane was directly underneath. There were no further communications with the pilot. A flight instructor at the airport said he saw the airplane fly over the airport at about 600 feet agl with the gear down and the flaps extended and enter a downwind leg for runway 0…

At about 1645 central time, a Piper PA-28-180 struck terrain near Clarkfield while flying VFR in an area with visual to instrument conditions. The pilot was killed. The flight was en route from Norfolk, Neb., to Montevideo, Minn., on a VFR flight plan but did not arrive as scheduled. The wreckage was found about eight hours later. Weather conditions at the time included ceilings of 1,200 to 1,400 feet and visibility of 2.5 to 7 miles with mist….