Aviation Safety

At about 1445 eastern time, a Cessna 150J crashed shortly after takeoff from Glynco Jetport Airport, killing the pilot and passenger. The pilot had told the owner of the airplane he intended to purchase it, and the owners agent said he could start the engine but not fly it because the insurance had lapsed. When the owners agent left the area, the 260-pound pilot and a 250-pound passenger took off. The airplane was full of fuel, putting the aircraft about 100 pounds overweight….

At 1129 eastern time, a Cessna 172S crashed after takeoff from Robertson Field, killing the pilot and passenger. Witnesses said the engine sounded normal during taxi and takeoff from runway 02, but at about 50 feet agl the engine noise changed as if it had experienced a power reduction. Then the witnesses saw smoke trailing from the airplane. The airplane had climbed to about 300-400 feet agl when the pilot initiated a left turn at a 45-degree bank. The left wing dropped further and the airplane descended into a parking lot. The airplane, which had about 70 hours since new, showed evidence that the engine driven fuel pump or fuel hose may have failed, causing a fire in the engine compartme…

At approximately 2015 central time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane struck and killed a pedestrian during the landing roll at Lane Airpark Airport. The airplane was not damaged and the pilot was not injured. The pilot was landing on the grass portion of runway 31, concentrating on the runway markers in the airplanes landing light, when the right wing struck a pedestrian. Witnesses said the pedestrian occasionally took walks in the morning and evening on the taxiway….

At about 1103 eastern time, a Beech BE-55 crashed in Norris Lake, killing the pilot. The pilot had filed an IFR flight plan for a 40-minute flight from McMinnville to Jacksboro. About 25 minutes into the flight he canceled his IFR clearance and proceeded in visual conditions. Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like engine trouble, followed by the airplane rolling into at least a 45-degree bank and pitching steeply down….

At about 1100 Pacific time, a Cessna 185A was damaged while making a low approach to Santa Paula Airport and subsequently was further damaged while making a precautionary landing in a nearby dry riverbed. The pilot departed Fresno at about 0930, but encountered low clouds upon arriving at Santa Paula. He was making a climbing right turn to get out of the clouds when he heard a loud bang. He then discovered the right gear was missing. Because of the narrow runway at Santa Paula, he landed in a nearby riverbed, at which time the left gear leg struck a stump….

At 0930 mountain time, a Cessna 172N aborted its takeoff from runway 4R at Falcon Field Airport after smoke was observed in the cockpit. The airplane was destroyed by fire but the flight instructor and student pilot were uninjured. The CFI said smoke started coming from the panel just after rotation. He aborted the takeoff, coming to rest in a ditch, and the two evacuated the airplane. He said the landing light circuit breaker had popped….

At 1849 eastern time, a Piper PA-28R-180 struck power lines that crossed the Muskegon River near Newaygo. The pilot and two passengers were killed. A witness said the rented airplane was flying along the river at about 20 feet above the water level when it hit the power lines….

Runway overruns boil down to poor energy management during the approach. Excess speed is most often the culprit

Though it seldom happens, a passed-out pilot may be passengers greatest fear. For frequent passengers, just a little training can make for a happy ending

The airport light show might play fine when youre in control, but understanding how they work can save you from sudden darkness