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.
October 7, 2017, Front Royal, Va.
Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee
At about 1345 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain during initial climb while towing a glider. The solo airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the flight instructor in the glider being towed, the takeoff was normal. His attention was diverted and, when he looked back, he noted the accident airplane was below and to the right of the glider, and the tow cable was slack. He then released the cable and performed a 180-degree turn, landing uneventfully. Several witnesses stated that the takeoff appeared to be normal, but then the accident airplane pitched down, descended below the glider and turned right before impacting terrain.
October 7, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Long-EZ Experimental/Piper PA-28-180
The two airplanes collided in midair at about 1030 Mountain time. The solo private pilot aboard the Long-EZ, and the private pilot and passenger in the Piper, were not injured. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot of the Long-EZ reported he was on downwind when he observed another airplane on left base, slightly above him, off to his right side and closing rapidly. Shortly thereafter, the airplanes collided. The pilot of the Piper had begun his turn to left base when he noticed an airplane on downwind. The pilot of the Piper stated that he attempted to avoid the other airplane, however, his airplane’s landing gear struck the Long EZ. Both pilots declared an emergency and landed without further incident.
October 8, 2017, Vernon, Texas
Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros
At about 1300 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
Multiple witnesses saw the airplane make a low pass down Runway 20. Some witnesses said the landing gear was being retracted as if the pilot was making a go-around. The airplane pulled up, entered a steep left bank and impacted the ground.
October 9, 2017, Los Lunas, N.M.
Globe GC-1A Swift
The airplane impacted a steel culvert structure at about 1425 Mountain time following loss of control during takeoff. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane arrived to refuel the day before the accident. During a subsequent takeoff, the airplane ground looped and sustained unknown damage. The pilot, who also was a mechanic, performed repairs to the airplane, which included welding the right main landing strut assembly. During takeoff on the day of the accident, the airplane veered to the left of the runway and struck a berm. The airplane became airborne and then impacted a steel culvert structure adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and wings.
October 9, 2017, Buckeye, Ariz.
Nanchang China CJ-6
At about 1616 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing after loss of engine power. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
After the pilot started a descent from cruise flight, the engine lost power. Unable to make an airport, he decided to land on a clearing at a nearby construction site. During the landing, the airplane’s left wing struck an obstacle and the airplane veered out of control.
October 12, 2017, Las Cruces, N.M.
Cessna 182H Skylane
The airplane impacted terrain at about 2015 Mountain time. The flight instructor and student pilot were both fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual conditions prevailed.
Initial reports from local agencies indicated the instructional flight was returning to land when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. A post-impact fire ensued.
October 13, 2017, Ramsey, Minn.
Cessna 172M Skyhawk
At 1734 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with power lines and the Mississippi River. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Ground-based video footage depicted the airplane flying at a low altitude over the Mississippi River about 200 yards east of the accident site. Several witnesses noted the airplane was below the trees lining both sides of the river. The airplane impacted a set of four power lines installed horizontally across the river. According to witnesses, the power lines were equipped with red aerial marker balls.
October 15, 2017, Tuskegee, Ala.
Cirrus Design SR22T
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at about 1100 Central time following a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
During initial climb after takeoff, the airplane suffered a partial loss of power well below 1000 feet agl. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot selected a sod field as an off-airport landing site. During the forced landing, the airplane’s landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage. A witness observed a cloud of faint white smoke after the accident airplane’s engine was started. He added that the engine sounded “choppy” throughout the entire takeoff. After liftoff, about midfield, he observed gray smoke from the airplane’s exhaust.
October 18, 2017, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Cessna 402B Businessliner
At about 1545 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The commercial pilot, one passenger, and two motorists sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the FAR Part 135 charter flight.
About 13 minutes after departure, the pilot advised ATC he was “fuel critical” and requested vectors for the nearest airport. At 1543, the pilot was given a vector to the nearest airport, which the pilot reported in sight. The airplane landed on a residential street about two miles from the nearest airport and collided with two motor vehicles.
October 30, 2017, Dawsonville, Ga.
Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance
At about 0826 Eastern time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on an asphalt race track. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
While climbing through 8000 feet msl, the pilot heard a sound consistent with prop governor overspeed and observed a low oil-quantity light with zero oil pressure. The pilot declared an emergency and began a descent. Passing through about 5000 feet msl, the pilot heard a loud noise then saw smoke enter the cockpit through the cabin heat system. Seeing an asphalt racetrack below, the pilot selected one of the straight sections of track for landing. As the airplane neared the surface, a truck moved in the way and the pilot veered the airplane left to avoid a collision. Following the maneuver, the airplane’s right wing struck a dirt berm, resulting in substantial damage.
Examination revealed the bottom of the fuselage was coated in oil and the engine crankcase was fractured at the upper aft attach bolts of the number six cylinder. All three propeller blades were present, with only one blade exhibiting signs of damage.
This article originally appeared in the January 2018 issue of Aviation Safety magazine.
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