General Aviation Accident Bulletin

Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents.

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AVweb’s General Aviation Accident Bulletinis taken from the pages of our sister publication,Aviation Safetymagazine 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 aboutAviation Safetyatwww.aviationsafetymagazine.com.

January 2, 2017, Payson, Ariz.

Cessna T210K Turbo Centurion

At about 0937 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with mountainous terrain. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.

Radar data show the airplane reached its cruising altitude of approximately 8000 feet msl some 12 minutes after takeoff. The airplane subsequently descended about 1300 feet in one minute before entering a momentary climb, which was followed by a shallow descent. In the remaining two and a half minutes, the airplane maintained a 300 fpm descent rate, with some intermittent climbs. The final two radar targets show the airplane climbed about 425 feet in 12 seconds. The airplane maintained a straight track from its departure airport to the last radar target, which was within 0.1 nm of the 6670 feet msl accident site.

January 2, 2017, Scottsdale, Ariz

Raytheon Hawker 800XP

The airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose landing gear collapsed at about 1643 Mountain time, during a landing roll. The two airline transport pilots were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

During the approach, the nose landing gear light remained red, indicating it was not down and locked. The crew referred to the emergency checklist and used the hand pump to lower the landing gear manually, but the red light still indicated the gear was unsafe. The control tower subsequently reported it appeared that it appeared the nosegear was down and straight. The crew performed a normal landing. As the airplane slowed to about 35-40 knots, the nose gear collapsed.

January 4, 2017, Brookfield, Wis.

Bede BD-4 Experimental

At about 1208 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of the runway during takeoff and impacted a parked vehicle. The pilot was fatally injured. One passenger received serious injuries; one passenger was uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed.

A witness observed the airplane lift off and drift downwind (left) of Runway 21. Examination revealed skid marks on the runway and in the grass leading to the accident site. The skid marks began on the runway 953 feet from the parked vehicle and indicated the airplane become airborne twice before impacting the parked vehicle. An 1145 weather observation four nm southwest included wind from 280 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots.

January 4, 2017, Nacogdoches, Texas

Mooney M20K 231

The airplane was force-landed at about 1545 Central time and was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane had recently undergone an annual inspection; the accident flight was the first since its completion. While in the pattern to land, the pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing; however, the airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings during the landing.

January 4, 2017, Napa, Calif.

Cozy MK IV R Experimental

At about 1430 Pacific time, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during an attempted go-around. The solo commercial pilot subsequently landed on the remaining runway but the airplane rolled off the end and came rest in a marsh. There were no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Visual conditions prevailed.

The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. During an approach, he noted the airplane would have landed further down the runway than desired and he initiated a go-around. As he advanced the throttle, the engine responded normally, but then rolled back to idle. The airplane was powered by a Mazda automotive rotary engine, which was modified by the owner.

January 5, 2017, Gurdon, Ark.

Columbia LC41-550FG Columbia 400

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR clearance was in effect.

The airplane was cruising VFR at 17,500 feet msl when the pilot requested an IFR clearance to climb to FL250. At about 1232, the airplane leveled at FL250. Shortly afterward, the pilot requested to descend back to 17,500 feet and reported he was experiencing equipment issues. At about 1235, ATC cleared the flight to descend and maintain 17,000 feet. A minute later, the pilot declared an emergency. When ATC inquired about the nature of the emergency, the pilot’s response was garbled and not recognizable. Radar showed the airplane in a rapid descent; ATC tried to contact the airplane without success. Radar contact was lost at about 3100 feet msl. No distress calls were heard by ATC or other aircraft. Evidence at the accident site indicates the airplane impacted the ground at high speed, almost 90-degrees nose-down. The majority of the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire.

January 5, 2017, Atlanta, Ga.

AMD CH 2000 Alarus

At about 1700 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during initial climb after takeoff. The solo private pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The pilot subsequently reported the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and climb performance after takeoff. The left wing and nose dropped, but no stall warning horn sounded. The pilot leveled the wings and configured the airplane for landing before colliding with trees. Examination revealed the flaps in the full-extended position and the airplane operating handbook open to a page describing short-field takeoffs and landings.

January 6, 2017, Jackson, Calif.

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle

The turboprop-converted airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1720 Pacific time following collapse of the right main landing gear during the landing roll. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The flare and initial touchdown were normal. However, something did not feel right to the pilot. He attempted to lightly apply the brakes, and the airplane began to yaw from one side to the other. He released the brakes and attempted to slow the airplane with reverse thrust but the airplane exited the paved runway surface and came to a stop in grass and dirt about 20 feet off the right side of the runway. Examination revealed the right main landing gear torque link had separated at the hinge attach point.

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

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