Aviation Safety

At about 18:08 eastern time, a Piper PA-28R-180 crashed into Long Island Sound off the coast of Milford, killing the pilot. The flight had been under way for about two and a half hours when the pilot made a visual approach to his planned destination of Sikorsky Memorial Airport. When he reported not being able to see the airport, he was vectored for the VOR Runway 29 approach. During the approach, the airplane began a descent of about 1,300 fpm until radar contact was lost. Examination of the wreckage showed the fuel selector was on the left tank, which contained only six gallons of fuel. The right tank contained 17 gallons. …

At about 1135 Pacific time, a Cessna 180J nosed over during landing rollout at a backcountry airstrip in Death Valley National Park. Neither occupant was injured. The airstrips existence is not depicted on aeronautical charts and it is not maintained. The runway is only usable in a single direction. The airstrip is locally known as the Chicken Strip. The pilot said a wheel caught in a hole in the runways surface and the airplane departed the runway. The pilot said he had landed at the airstrip a half-dozen times in the previous 90 days….

At approximately 1147 mountain time, a Piper 602P landed gear-up at Albuquerque International Airport after losing power on the left engine during final approach to runway 3. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The pilot said the airplane was on final in turbulence and a strong crosswind. The pilot and controller were discussing using a different runway when the left engine lost power. The pilot told the controller hed lost engine power and requested a go-around. He flew the airplane back around to the runway and determined he could hold the heading with the crosswind. The airplane was at a low altitude and the pilot waited to extend the gear to ensure hed make it to the runwa…

At 12:47 central time, a Bellanca 17-30A crashed at Chandler Field Airport, killing the pilot and passenger. IMC prevailed and the pilot was not instrument rated. A flight instructor said he discussed the weather with the pilot before takeoff and asked if the pilot was instrument rated. The pilot said he had completed the training but had not yet taken the checkride. The instructor repeatedly tried to talk the pilot out of making the flight, but he started the airplane and taxied to the runway. When the pilot announced his intention over the CTAF to take off, the instructor advised him to be careful of the freezing fog and sleet that was falling at the time. The instructor added that about f…

At 0953 Pacific time, a Beech 95-B55 was damaged in an off-airport landing following a loss of power while on approach to Joshua Tree Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The pilot, with about 600 hours in the airplane, said the airplane had come out of its annual inspection just over four flight hours earlier. The engines lost power in the traffic pattern. Both auxiliary tanks were empty, the right tank was empty and the 37-gallon left main tank was nearly full. Both fuel selectors were on their respective main tanks. The accident flight from Santa Monica, about 45 minutes, was made with each engine supplied by its main tank. The pilot said the left engine lost power on downwi…

At about 1042 Alaska time, a Cessna 206 crashed into snow-covered terrain about 80 miles northwest of Bethel, killing the pilot. The Part 135 cargo/mail flight was en route to Chevak at the time of the accident. Civil Air Patrol personnel said they could not conduct a search of the area due to low clouds, low visibility and icing conditions. A pilot who departed Bethel about 10 minutes before the accident flight, also bound for Chevak, said the weather along the route was low visibility with snow squalls moving through the area and flat lighting conditions….

At about 1824 Pacific time, a Cessna 182Q overran the runway after landing at Montgomery Field. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he intended to land long but the sun was in his eyes. After touchdown, he realized that he was further down the runway than he intended. He could not avoid departing the end of the runway and colliding with a light pole….

At about 10:50 eastern time, a Beech B55-T42A crashed while maneuvering near Johnson City, killing the pilot. Numerous witnesses reported seeing the Baron flying formation with a Cessna 210. As the formation approached the airport, it was flying low and fast. The flight appeared to be flying into the break, military-style. The lead 210 executed an abrupt pitch up and left bank, and the Baron hit a 65-foot tree at about the 50-foot level….

At approximately 1730 mountain time, a Grumman G-44 lost engine power and struck a house about a mile from Boise Air Terminal. The two pilots received serious injuries but the occupant in the residence was not injured. The pilot said the landing gear did not retract after takeoff and he pumped it up. The airplane then yawed and the engine rpm dropped on the right engine. He was returning to land but the airplane would not maintain altitude. Inspection of the right engine revealed a substantial amount of metal shavings in the fuel filter and bowl. Additional metal shavings were found in the right fuel tank….

At approximately 1310 mountain time, an Aviat A-1 was damaged while landing at Afton Municipal Airport. Neither occupant was injured. The pilot said he landed slightly to the right of centerline on runway 16 to avoid an icy patch and the right stabilizer and elevator struck a runway light. The airplane swerved to the right and nosed down into a snow bank….