Aviation Safety

At 2135 eastern time, a Piper PA-34-200T crashed while executing the ILS/DME RWY 36 approach into Waterbury-Oxford Airport, killing the pilot. Witnesses reported hearing the engines at moderate power, then the power decreased for a few seconds before revving to full power. The crash site was about 2,000 feet southeast of runway 36. Weather reported at the time included wind from 210 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 15 visibility 2-3 miles, ceiling 200-300 feet overcast, temperature 54 degrees F, dewpoint 51 degrees F….

At 10:10 central time, a Beech BE95-B55 crashed while maneuvering near Oak Grove, killing the pilot. IMC prevailed and the pilot was instrument rated, but no flight plan was filed. The pilot flew from Monroe, La., to a private hunting ranch near Avon the previous day. Because the weather was forecast to deteriorate, the pilot decided to return his airplane to Monroe and drive back to the ranch. A preflight weather briefer told him VFR flight was not recommended. The ceiling at the destination was about 3,000 feet, but at the accident site it was about 500 feet. A witness saw the airplane at about 300 feet agl in a steep left bank. The 1,500-hour pilot had owned the airplane since 1994….

At 0946 central time, a Cessna T182 crashed into a power plant near Amarillo while flying 100-200 feet agl on a cross-country trip in foggy conditions. The pilot and passenger were killed. The pilot had contacted Amarillo Approach, reporting 19 miles out at 3,700 feet. The airplane did not appear on the controllers screen. At six miles out, the controller gave the pilot the current altimeter setting and told him to plan a left downwind for runway 4. The airplane flew between two 300-foot cooling towers and crashed into the power plane at 154 feet agl….

At 12:30 eastern time, a Cessna 414A crashed during a forced landing in a corn field after attempting a single-engine missed approach to Kirsch Municipal Airport. The pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries, the second passenger was uninjured. The pilot said the right engine lost power at about 4,300 feet shortly after departure from Kirsch. He received radar vectors for a return to the airport, during which time the airplane lost altitude at 100-150 fpm. The pilot flew the NDB 18 approach and found the airplane too high for a landing, so he missed the approach and feathered the right prop. He was unable to avoid obstructions and opted to make a forced landing….

At 1915 eastern time, a Piper J-3 crashed while making a precautionary landing immediately after takeoff. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he noticed smoke in the cockpit during the takeoff and elected to return to the airport. He then a hard left bank and reduced power, and the airplane stalled and crashed….

At approximately 11:30 mountain time, a Cessna 172N struck rising terrain while maneuvering near Durango. The pilot was not injured but two passengers sustained serious injuries. The pilot said he and two friends were on a local sightseeing flight when the pilot executed a left turn to a normally okay route. However, he entered a canyon he could not exit due to rising terrain. The pilot decided to execute a forced landing to a clearing, where the airplane struck trees and terrain….

At approximately 10:57 mountain time, a Piper PA-46T was damaged on landing at Double Eagle II Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The pilot was making an ILS Runway 22 approach but broke out of the clouds to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted to align the aircraft with the runway by banking left, then right, but the right wing struck the runway and the airplane crashed and slid 1,500 feet to a stop. Neither occupant was hurt….

At about 1503 Atlantic time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 went out of control while holding and crashed into a car dealership near Carolina. The pilot and one person on the ground were killed, and two people on the ground were injured. The pilot was advised to hold VFR over the area because a military are was hot. Radar data showed the airplane began descending during the second trip around the holding pattern. Witnesses at the scene reported a ceiling of 300 feet in light rain, but no thunderstorms….

At 0855 central time, a Cessna 152 crash-landed at Maple Lake Municipal Airport. The student pilot was not injured. The pilot reported a total flight time of 51.2 hours, including 4.4 in the past 30 days. Winds at the time were from 180 at 15 knots, and the student was landing on runway 10….

At about 00:35 eastern time, a Piper PA-24-250 crashed three minutes after takeoff from Gainesville Regional Airport, killing the pilot and passenger. A refueler at the airport said the two occupants bought 30 gallons of fuel and told him they had just flown down from Pennsylvania. They joked about being tired and dragging. They also said they were concerned about continuing on but were too close to their destination to stay in Gainesville. The refueler also said ceilings were low at the time and there was light rain….