Aviation Safety

At approximately 1330 Pacific time, a Beechcraft F-35 ditched in the water near Anacortes after experiencing a complete loss of engine power about 10 minutes after takeoff from Skagit Regional Airport. The pilot said he planned to fly around the local area for about 45 minutes. But while moving the fuel tank selector lever, he inadvertently turned the fuel selector to the OFF position. The engine quit and the pilot moved the selector back to the left main tank, but the engine did not restart because the pilot had forgotten to activate the fuel wobble-pump….

At about 1430 eastern time, a Cessna 140 was damaged during a go-around from a simulated forced landing in Suffolk. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he departed his home base in Franklin and flew to Norfolk for maintenance. After the maintenance was completed, he flew to Suffolk, where he performed three touch and go landings, after which he planned to return to Franklin. En route to Franklin he elected to perform a simulated forced landing to a wheat field. The pilot said he brought the airplane down to just above the top of the wheat field and then added power, but the wheels made contact with the top of the wheat and crashed….

At about 1206 mountain time, a Hughes OH 6A collided with terrain near Pan Tak after becoming uncontrollable in flight. The pilot suffered minor injuries and a second crew member was seriously injured. The U.S. Border Patrol helicopter was flying at about 300 feet agl when the pilot heard a bang and the aircraft became uncontrollable. Inspection of the wreckage found the tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor blade assembly were missing from the tail boom. During the search for the components, a U.S. Border Patrol flight jacket was found about 0.7 miles from the accident site. It was shredded and had paint transfers that matched the tail rotor blades….

At 1100 eastern time, an American General AG5B struck a parked Beechcraft A90 King Air after the pilot hand-propped the engine at Michael J. Smith Field. The pilot and passenger received no injuries. The pilot said attempts to start the airplane were unsuccessful due to a low battery. He primed the engine and opened the throttle approximately a quarter inch and instructed his passenger to hold the brakes while he spun the prop. After the engine started, the airplane began to move and the pilot attempted to board the airplane but failed….

At approximately 1600 Pacific time, a Cessna 182J was damaged in a forced landing after losing engine power about four miles east of Salem. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he was cruising at 11,500 feet when the engine slowly started losing power. Eventually the engine lost enough power that the pilot was unable to hold altitude and he found it necessary to attempt a forced landing in an open field. The touchdown was uneventful but the aircraft encountered rough terrain during the landing roll. Initial inspection revealed there were holes in the crankcase and most of the oil had escaped….

At about 0900 Alaska time, a Piper PA-18-150 was damaged during initial climb from an unimproved landing strip about 50 miles south of Aniak. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he was on initial climb when he diverted his attention to adjust his seatback cushion, and the airplane collided with the terrain….

At 1758 eastern time, an amateur-built Lancair IV broke up in-flight in the vicinity of Allendale, killing all four occupants. Air traffic control data showed the flight was cruising at 17,000 feet when the pilot asked to deviate for weather. The controller offered the pilot a choice of deviating left or right, and provided headings. The pilot opted to go to the right. About 10 minutes later the flight was cleared to descend to 13,000 feet, then 11,000 feet in preparation for a landing in Buford. A witness sitting in his yard said it was thundering but had not started to rain. He heard an airplane approaching his location but could not see it due to the cloud cover. The engine sounded like i…

At about 2020 eastern time, an experimental Wright Model B struck trees while maneuvering at Horse Feathers Airport. The pilot suffered serious injuries. The airplane was an exact replica of the original Wright Model B, produced by the Wright Brothers. The airplane was undergoing a series of high speed taxi tests and was experiencing serious directional stability problems. While taxiing, the airplane suddenly became airborne and the pilot was not sure if he could land the airplane in the space remaining. However, he elected to maneuver for a landing attempt, but was unable to effectively control the airplane….

At about 1750 Pacific time, the unlicensed pilot of an unregistered Sabre Trike 330 lost control during an unintentional takeoff near Jean. The pilot was killed. The owner of the aircraft said the pilot was going to taxi the aircraft, but inadvertently became airborne. The owner said, after a series of up and down movements, the aircraft stalled, turned, and went straight in. The owner was not aware that the aircraft did not comply with the requirements of FAR 103, which specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet in order to operate as an ultralight vehicle….

At about 1113 eastern time, a Piper PA-28-180 struck a guy wire on a communications antenna near Bruceton Mills. The Canadian pilot was killed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the site but the pilot was not instrument rated. A VFR flight plan had been filed from Clarksburg, W.Va., to Ontario, Canada, but had not been opened. The owner of the airplane said the pilot departed Pompano Beach, Fla., May 20, arriving in Clarksburg later in the day. He departed the next day at 1044 but did not contact Flight Service to open the flight plan, nor did he ask the Clarksburg Tower to open the flight plan. In addition, the transponder apparently was not turned on. The airplane struck a…