General Aviation Accident Bulletin

Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents.

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AVweb’s General Aviation Accident Bulletin is taken from the pages of our sister publication, Aviation Safety magazine and is published twice a month. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause in the NTSB’s web site atwww.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a year after the accident, although some take longer. Find out more about Aviation Safety atwww.aviationsafetymagazine.com.

September 2, 2016, Viborg, S.D.

Van’s RV-6 Experimental

At about 1000 Central time, the airplane impacted a corn field. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.

Except for the main wreckage area, there was no noticeable damage to the field’s corn stalks. The cockpit, engine cowling and a majority of the fuselage were consumed by fire, although the wings and empennage were mostly intact. Witnesses reported hearing the engine “sputtering,” and then heard a “thud” and saw a fireball. They did not observe the airplane in the air.

September 3, 2016, Moss Hill, Texas

Bellanca 7ECA Citabria

The airplane impacted a river at about 1900 Central time. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.

Ground-based video footage depicted the airplane flying over the river at low altitude. The airplane then pitched up and entered a steep climb. As the airplane reached the top of the climb, it yawed left, entering a near-vertical descent and gradual left turn. Shortly before impacting the river, the gradual left turn reversed abruptly into a right, descending turn. The airplane came to rest inverted and partially submerged in the river.

September 3, 2016, Cuba, N.M.

Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee 180

At about 2240 Mountain time, the airplane impacted ground obstacles and nosed over during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power. The pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries while the airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual conditions prevailed.

According to the FAA, the airplane lost partial engine power and the pilot elected to perform a night forced landing on a roadway. During the landing, the airplane’s wing impacted a ground obstacle, resulting in the nose-over.

September 3, 2016, Hollywood, Fla.

Cessna Model 172 Skyhawk

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean at about 0952 Eastern time. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

While transitioning along the shoreline, the pilot contacted ATC and requested to fly below 500 feet agl. The controller approved the request, advising the pilot of “heavy precipitation at the 12 o’clock position and four miles ahead.” The controller further stated, “You should turn left and go offshore three miles to avoid the thunderstorm.” The pilot acknowledged the communication by stating “roger.” Three minutes later, the pilot reported, “I am turning back to the north.” No further communications were received from the accident airplane.

The wreckage was subsequently located about two miles east of the shoreline, submerged in about 15 feet of water. The airplane was recovered; its wings exhibited accordion crushing from leading edge to trailing edge.

September 7, 2016, Chariton, Iowa

Piper PA-46-310P Malibu

At about 1219 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain after an inflight breakup. The solo private pilot sustained fatal injuries.

The pilot was receiving VFR flight following services while cruising at 13,500 feet msl and deviating around convective weather. Shortly before disappearing from radar, the pilot reported to ATC he was around the weather, proceeding to his destination and descending. The controller instructed the pilot to contact ATC tower personnel but received no response.

Preliminary radar data showed the airplane making a rapid descending right turn before radar contact was lost. The airplane wreckage was located about five hours later. Examination revealed the airplane impacted a mature corn field, with wing and empennage components scattered along a path about -mile long.

September 7, 2016, Carrollton, Ga.

Beech F33A Bonanza/Diamond DA20-C1

The two airplanes collided in mid-air at 1047 Eastern time while on final approach. The Beech was substantially damaged and its solo private pilot was fatally injured. The Diamond was destroyed. The the flight instructor and student pilot aboard it were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

Initial radar data indicated the Beech entered an extended downwind from the north, above and directly behind the Diamond, at a groundspeed about 50 knots faster. Initial examination of the wreckage revealed that both airplanes remained physically attached after the collision. Additional examination revealed black transfer markings on the right half of the Diamond’s elevator consistent in color and tread pattern with the right main landing gear tire of the Beech. Other pilots in the area, flying airplanes from the same operator as the Diamond, heard the Diamond crew reporting their position and intentions on the CTAF. The Beech pilot did not appear to be broadcasting on the CTAF. The CTAF communications were not recorded.

September 9, 2016, Kodiak, Alaska

de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

At about 1130 Alaska time, the float-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage during a collision with water, following a loss of control shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the scheduled Part 135 commuter flight.

Witnesses reported the accident airplane’s takeoff run was to the west, toward an area of rising, tree-covered terrain. After the airplane became airborne, it began a gradual left turn to avoid the rising terrain ahead. As the airplane flew closer to the rising terrain, the left turn steepened and the airplane began a steep nose-down descent. The airplane subsequently struck shallow water and came to rest partially submerged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. The witnesses reported gusty wind conditions, from the west, estimated to be between 15 to 25 knots.

This article originally appeared in the December 2016 issue ofAviation Safetymagazine.

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