Aviation Safety

At 1540 mountain time, a Piper PA-28-180 ran out of fuel and crash-landed on a plateau six miles west of Vernal. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The pilot had planned to fly from Fort Collins, Colo., to Provo, Utah, but had landed at Laramie, Wyo., because of weather. When they resumed the trip several hours later, they again ran into weather near Vernal. The pilot deviated north and south, looking for a path around the weather. After about an hour, he began looking for an airport where he could refuel. He discussed the weather at nearby airports with another pilot on the radio and then decided to try to land at Vernal. One fuel tank ran dry when he was 15 miles from the airport…

The following briefs were selected from the 117 preliminary reports filed with the NTSB in November 2002. Statements in quotes were taken directly from the NTSB documents. The information is subject to change as the investigations are completed. Click here to view “Accident Totals, November.”

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November 01, New Braunfels, Texas
Rockwell Turbo Commander
At approximately 1550 central time, a Rockwell 690B suffered the loss of the top portion of its rudder while in cruise flight at 16,000 feet near New Braunfels. The flight landed without further incident and none of the three aboard was injured. The plot reported that…

At about 1746 central time, a Piper PA-46-350P apparently crashed while on approach to General Dewitt Spain Airport. The two occupants are missing and presumed dead and the wreckage is believed to be submerged in the Mississippi River. Radar data showed the airplane flying a GPS approach to runway 16 but zig-zagging across the final approach course. It appeared to turn as depicted on the approach plate for a missed approach about a half-mile from the threshold, but then it dropped off radar at a point that corresponds to the river. …

At approximately 1351 central time, a Cessna 152 landed without incident at David Wayne Hooks Airport after the pilot occupying the left seat departed the airplane during descent near Prairie View. The flight instructor in the right seat landed without further incident. The aircraft operator and the flight instructor said the pilot scheduled flight instruction and said he had an ear operation and needed to see how his ears would feel at altitude before he went for an FAA medical certificate. He also stated that he was contemplating doing some aerial photography, and wanted to see how the aerial visibility was from a Cessna 152. During preflight, the private pilot requested to not wear the sh…

At about 0800 Pacific time, a Beech A36 collided with power lines during an instrument departure climb to VFR conditions on top from the Chino Airport. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot said he was on top of the fog, looked down at his instruments, and then looked up and saw the power lines. The airplane crashed in a pasture approximately 1 1/2 miles southwest of the airport….

At about 1445 eastern time, a Boeing A75 crashed after losing engine power near Glade Spring. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The accident airplane was part of a three-airplane formation that had conducted a fly-by at a nearby Veterans Day celebration. At the completion of the fly-by, the three airplanes headed back to their departure airport, Abingdon, Va. Two airplanes continued on to Abingdon but the pilot of the accident airplane broke formation, descended and conducted low-level maneuvering below what witnesses said was the level of the surrounding hills. The pilot said he was maneuvering at a low altitude when the engine lost power. There was no suitable terrain nearby…

At 1130 Pacific time, a Mooney M20J lost power on initial climb and crashed near Fullerton Municipal Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Inspection revealed about 30 ounces of water in the right fuel tank and water in the fuel distribution valve. The fuel selector was on the right tank….

At about 1955 eastern time, a Mooney M20R crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about five miles south of Marthas Vineyard Airport. The pilot and a passenger were presumed killed. The airplane was cleared for the VOR Runway 6 approach and descended to about 200 feet, and then began a climbing right turn to an altitude of 700 feet before radar contact was lost. A pilot who had landed at MVY about 15 minutes prior to the accident using the same approach said he had no problems tracking the VOR. His flight broke out at 700 feet with 2 to 3 miles of visibility in moderate rain. The accident pilot reported two miles out and asked if someone could confirm the runway lights were on, but they were not. T…

Flying IFR with a lightly equipped airplane can be legal, but your options dwindle even if nothing goes wrong

Accidents on go-arounds reflect poor approaches, delayed decisions, lousy control and incorrect procedures