Size Doesnt Matter
Pilots know to avoid getting behind large, heavy ones. But the wakes of smaller airplanes can be hazardous, too.
Pilots know to avoid getting behind large, heavy ones. But the wakes of smaller airplanes can be hazardous, too.
May 3, 2005, Bismarck, N.D.
Piper PA-31T
At about 2100 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an emergency landing on Runway 21 at the Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) in Bismarck, N.D. The right main landing gear failed to extend prior to landing and the left main gear collapsed during rollout. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement before coming to rest. Visual conditions prevailed, and neither the Private pilot nor the passenger reported injuries. The pilot elected to divert to BIS when the landing failed to extend prior to landing at his intended destination.
May 3, 2005, Kalispell, Mont.
Cessna T210N
The airplane w…
At 0914 Pacific time, the aircraft was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain short of Runway 12R at the North Las Vegas Airport. The Airline Transport pilot experienced an incapacitation event during the flight and was the only fatality. The two passengers received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. After takeoff, the pilot started feeling ill and became incapacitated. The passenger in the cockpits right seat took over flying the airplane and flew it to the North Las Vegas airport where it impacted terrain while on final approach to land….
January 1, 2005, Ainsworth, Neb.
Cessna 551 Citation
At around 1120 Central time, the aircraft was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain while attempting to land. Instrument conditions prevailed; the Instrument-rated Private pilot and three passengers were uninjured. Two passengers reported minor injuries. At 1113:16, the airplane was cleared for a GPS Runway 17 approach. The pilot later stated that the airplane started to accumulate ice at around 4000 feet msl during the approach. Subsequently, the airplane descended out of IMC at between 300 and 400 feet agl. The Citations cockpit windows were obscured by the accumulation of ice and the pilot e…
December 1, 2004, Lees Summit, Mo.
Piper PA-28-181
At 1200 Central time, the rental airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Lees Summit Municipal Airport (LXT). Visual conditions prevailed; there were no injuries. The local flight originated from LXT at 1030.The pilots preflight inspection included checking the fuel gauges and the fuel level in each tank, which was just under the tabs. After a touch-and-go landing at a nearby airport, he climbed and headed to the east. A few minutes later, the engine sputtered just a little. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine smoothed out. He returned to the nearby airport, landed and performed a ru…
At about 1020 Mountain time, the Part 135 commercial cargo flight collided with flat open terrain.Visual conditions prevailed; the aircraft was operating on an IFR flight plan. The aircraft was destroyed by impact damage and a post-crash fire. The Airline Transport pilot-in-command and another deadheading pilot were fatally injured. The flight originated from Salt Lake City, Utah, about one hour prior to the accident and was destined for Friedman Memorial (SUN), Hailey, Idaho. After executing the RNAV (GPS) Runway 31 approach to SUN, the flight was cleared to land while still in instrument conditions. There were no further communications. The pilot of a Cessna Citation 525, who flew the same…
Last April, an instrument-rated private pilot took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in his SR22 bound for Palm Beach International. It was solid IFR, 400 overcast. The pilot was experienced in Cirrus airplanes-he was a founder of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association-he regularly flew such IFR flights, and he knew his airplane well. […]
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