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 at www.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a year after the accident, although some take longer. Find out more about Aviation Safety at www.aviationsafetymagazine.com.

Beechcraft Model D95A Travel Air

October 4, 2016, Dickinson, Texas

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain at about 1827 Central time. The flight instructor was fatally injured and the pilot receiving instruction was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was maneuvering at about 4800 feet agl when it slowed and began descending rapidly. A witness about one mile south took cellphone video showing the airplane descending rapidly in a fully developed spin. The airplane did not recover from the spin and impacted an abandoned tree-lined canal next to a fallow rice field in a remote area.

Cessna Model 172K Skyhawk

October 4, 2016, Wilmot, Wisconsin

At 1511 Central time, the airplane impacted a cornfield during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering. The solo private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to its right wing. Visual conditions prevailed.

When the engine began to lose power, the pilot switched fuel tanks, applied carburetor heat and richened the mixture, but the engine remained at reduced power. The pilot attempted a landing at a nearby airport but overshot the runway. The pilot then executed a forced landing to an adjacent cornfield. Inspection revealed the engine oil filter contained heavy deposits of metal material. Upon disassembling the engine, technicians discovered the number 1 cylinder piston pin plug was destroyed. The engine crankshaft and connecting rods displayed discoloration and heat signatures consistent with oil starvation. The number 3 and 4 connecting rod bearings were extruded and melted from the rod journals.

Cessna Model 182T Skylane

October 9, 2016, Toone, Tennessee

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1050 Central time during a forced landing in a field following a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

While in cruise flight at 4000 feet msl and nearing the destination airport, engine instruments advised of low oil pressure. A few minutes later, a light “clanging” noise was heard from the engine. The pilot attempted to divert to a nearby airstrip but the engine lacked sufficient power to reach it. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the airplane encountered uneven terrain, which collapsed the nosegear. Examination revealed the engine’s No. 3 cylinder had suffered a catastrophic failure.

Rockwell International 112A

October 12, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona

At about 1011 Mountain time, shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported to ATC that he had an engine problem and was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a train yard. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual examination of the engine revealed a hole in the crankcase at the number 4 cylinder.

Cessna Model 525 CitationJet CJ3+

October 13, 2016, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

The airplane was substantially damaged during a runway excursion at about 1030 Eastern time. The commercial pilot, an airline transport pilot and four passengers were not injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.

The flight crew subsequently reported descending below clouds at about 800 to 850 feet msl. The airplane was flown at about 130 to 135 KIAS on the final approach. Witness interviews and airport surveillance video revealed the airplane touched down about halfway down the 5000-foot-long runway. About 2000 feet of intermittent skid marks were observed until the airplane exited the end of the runway. After exiting the runway, the airplane impacted the localizer antenna, located about 300 feet from the end of the runway.

Cessna Model T210L Turbo Centurion

October 18, 2016, Pflugerville, Texas

At about 1015 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage after the right main landing gear collapsed upon landing. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

Upon approaching the destination, the pilot lowered the landing gear but did not receive a down-and-locked indication. He used the emergency gear extension handle to lower the gear. He did a fly-by with the tower, which told him that the landing gear appeared to be extended. The pilot circled and landed. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded off the runway to the right. Inspection revealed a hydraulic fluid leak when the system was pressurized and the emergency gear handle was activated. The hydraulic pump circuit breaker was found tripped.

Cessna Model 172C Skyhawk

October 19, 2016, Cedar Key, Florida

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 0725 Eastern time during an attempt to return to the airport immediately after takeoff. The pilot was not injured; the two passengers received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, the airplane wouldn’t climb “out of ground effect.” At an altitude of about 100 feet agl, he attempted to turn around and land in the opposite direction on the departure runway. The airplane then descended and impacted a swamp about 600 feet short of the runway.

The pilot reported that the fuel tanks were nearly full. The airplane was equipped with an 18-gallon auxiliary fuel tank installed in the baggage compartment. An estimated 25 pounds of baggage was in the rear seat. After recovery, the engine was rotated by hand via the propeller, and compression was confirmed on all cylinders with the exception of No. 4. The exhaust valve on the number 4 cylinder was found stuck in the open position. According to FAA records, the pilot’s certificate had been revoked.

Nanchang CJ-6A

October 21, 2016, Blackshear, Georgia

The airplane impacted terrain at about 1600 Eastern time after a midair collision while maneuvering with another Nanchang CJ-6A. The airplane was substantially damaged; the private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the purpose of the flight was to practice formation flying with two additional Nanchang airplanes. It was the third formation flight of the day.

The accident airplane was approaching the formation to join the No. 3 spot on the outside of a turn. Witnesses stated it approached slightly below their altitude and overshot the approach. The accident airplane flew under the lead airplane and appeared to pitch up before colliding. The lead airplane’s propeller sliced into the accident airplane’s horizontal stabilizer, then through the fuselage just forward of the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. The accident airplane’s tail separated and the airplane entered uncontrolled flight, impacting terrain. The lead airplane sustained minor damage and landed without further incident.

Beechcraft Model A36 Bonanza

October 25, 2016, Nortonville, California

At about 1230 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted powerlines and terrain in a steep descent shortly after departure. The private pilot/owner and the flight instructor (CFI) received fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane had recently undergone installation of a new avionics suite, and the purpose of this flight was for the CFI to assist the pilot in becoming familiar with the new avionics. After takeoff, the airplane made a left turnout and continued to climb out to the east, at about 800 fpm. About 3 minutes after takeoff, the airplane reached its maximum radar-indicated altitude of about 3600 feet and then entered a left turn of about 20 degrees and a steep descent. Radar data indicated a descent rate of about 5000 fpm.

This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of Aviation Safety magazine.

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