PiperWarrior

November 4, 2021, Decatur, Ga. Cessna 172A At about 0947 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was landed off-airport following engine failure. The solo student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Shortly after takeoff and while flying at 1500 feet msl, the student noted the engine began running rough, followed by […]

At approximately 1420 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage following a total loss of engine power and uncontrolled descent. The Private pilot, the airplanes sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. An interview with the pilot revealed that the airplane had just undergone its most recent inspection and engine overhaul. The pilot reported that following the takeoff, and in a left turn to return to the airport he experienced a yoke control problem, followed by the aircraft impacting terrain north of the airport boundary. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplanes fuel selector was positioned in the vertical position, between the…

The airplane hit a deer during the landing roll. The pilot reported the landing was normal. During the landing roll, she felt the airplane jerk to the left. She reported she was able to maintain control of the airplane on the runway. A passenger in the airplane stated he saw the deer just prior to it contacting the airplane, but there was not enough time for the pilot to take evasive action….

The airplane was substantially damaged while ditching in the Hudson River, following a total loss of engine power in cruise flight at 1152 Eastern time. The Private pilot and Flight Instructor sustained minor injuries; visual conditions prevailed for the instructional flight to familiarize the Private pilot with the VFR corridor along the Hudson River. The airplane was in cruise flight at about 900 feet agl when, without warning, the engine sputtered and lost all power. The instructor took control of the airplane and transmitted a distress signal. His attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful, and he then ditched the airplane in the Hudson River. The New York City Police Department and…

At about 0930 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain. The Flight Instructor and Student pilot were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was performing touch and go landings in the airport traffic pattern. One witness observed the airplane bank left and cross in front of him. The left bank increased until the wings were straight up and down, then it just dropped straight towards the ground. Another witness observed the airplane during takeoff. She described seeing the airplane in a straight and level attitude. Then it banked left, and completed a U-turn. The airplane then pitched nose down, and descended quickly ou…

The airplane collided with trees while the pilot was returning to land after encountering a rough running engine shortly after takeoff from the Seminole Lake Gliderport at about 1440 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed for maintenance ferry flight Kissimmee, Fla. The airplane was substantially damaged although the Private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot later stated that an engine problem resulted in an uneventful precautionary landing the day before. He replaced the damaged No. 2 cylinder exhaust pushrod, pushrod housing, pushrod seals and lock tab but did not inspect the valve. Following the repairs, the engine was started and a full static run-up was performed w…

At about 1748 Eastern time the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a house while attempting to execute a forced landing. The Private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Day visual conditions prevailed for the planned flight from Nantucket, Mass., to New Haven, Conn. According ATC tapes, the pilot made a Mayday call and reported he was at 4000 feet msl and descending without engine power. The accident pilot reported that there was oil on the windscreen. A controller provided radar vectors towards an airport approximately four miles southeast. When the airplane was approximately two miles from the airport at 1600 feet msl, the pilot reported seeing a field to his left….

At 1245 eastern time, a Piper PA-28-161 taxied unoccupied into a parked airplane at Summerville Airport. The pilot suffered minor injuries and both airplanes were damaged. The pilot said he was preparing to deliver the airplane to Columbia, S.C., for avionics work. When he engaged the starter it made a spinning noise but would not turn the engine over. The pilot set the parking brake and attempted to hand prop the airplane. The engine started and the airplane began to move forward. The pilot climbed onto the wing to enter the cockpit but slipped and fell to the ground. He grabbed the outside of the airplane and was dragged across the ramp as he attempted to gain access to the cockpit. When h…

At 2027 mountain time, a Piper PA-28-161 lost power on initial climb from Scottsdale Airport and crashed into a restaurant parking lot. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The flight originated at Mesa, Ariz., at 1815 and flew to Tucson. The return flight was to include a touch and go in Scottsdale and return to Mesa. He landed in Tucson and started the return leg without shutting down. On the takeoff out of Scottsdale, the airplane reached about 300 feet agl and the engine sputtered and quit. No fuel was found on the aircraft. The pilot reported that, before he departed, the fuel level was at or slightly below the tabs, which would be about 34 gallons. The operators policy i…

At 1407 eastern time, a Piper PA-28-161 crashed into a hangar while taxiing for parking. The pilot was not injured. The pilot stated he was taxiing between a parked airplane and the hangar when he applied left rudder to stop his turn. At that point, he inadvertently stepped on his headset cord and his head was jerked downward. While he attempted to untangle his head from the headset cord, the airplane continued forward and collided with the hangar….