General Aviation Accident Bulletin

Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

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AVweb’sGeneral 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 website atwww.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a year after the accident, although some take longer. Find out more aboutAviation Safetyatwww.aviationsafetymagazine.com.


July 18, 2018, Willow, Alaska

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

The float-equipped airplane impacted tree-covered terrain at about 1900 Alaska time, following a loss of control during initial climb. The airline transport pilot died at the scene; the two passengers received serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. Visual conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand passenger flight.

Witnesses observed the pilot load the passengers’ cargo, including multiple bags of masonry mortar, three totes full of food and stores, two propane tanks, miscellaneous baggage and supplies. Numerous witnesses stated that the airplane appeared heavy as they watched two takeoff attempts, followed by a takeoff on the third run. At least three witnesses recorded the takeoff attempts on their mobile phones. Each stated the airplane departed to the south and descended out of sight below the tree line. Soon thereafter, a loud impact was heard.

July 19, 2018, Shreveport, La.

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140

At about 0802 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the post-maintenance check flight.

According to the pilot, he stayed in the local traffic pattern for two touch-and-go landings. He then left the traffic pattern and turned northbound. The airplane could not attain more than a 300-fpm climb without losing airspeed, and he noticed a decrease in engine rpm. The pilot turned around and headed back to the departure airport. On final, engine rpm decreased and the engine did not respond to throttle inputs. The pilot was forced to land the airplane on a river levy. Initial inspection revealed the vacuum pump output shaft was sheared. This was the airplane’s first flight since an inspection was completed the day before.

July 20, 2018, Sheboygan, Wis.

de Havilland DH 112 Venom

The airplane impacted a structure at about 1604 Central time, shortly after takeoff. The pilot was fatally injured. Two people in the structure sustained serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed in a postimpact fire. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was part of a formation training flight. Review of video provided by a witness showed the lead airplane depart, followed by the accident airplane about eight seconds later. About six seconds after the accident airplane lifted off, its left wing rocked downward, then upward. Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be sluggish and not climbing. The airplane climbed to about 200 feet AGL, then started a descent. It then impacted flat vegetated terrain, slid through the structure and continued about another 175 feet before coming to a stop.

July 21, 2018, Burnet, Texas

Douglas DC-3

At about 0915 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a takeoff attempt. The airline transport pilot captain, crew chief and four passengers sustained serious injuries. One passenger sustained minor injuries. The airline transport co-pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The co-pilot initiated the takeoff. About 10 seconds into the takeoff, the airplane drifted right and he applied left rudder. This was followed shortly by the captain taking control of the airplane. The captain remembered the airplane swerving to the left shortly thereafter and stated he yelled “right rudder” three times before taking control. The main wheels were just coming off the ground as the airplane exited the left side of the runway. He tried to ease it back over to the runway to set it down but felt the airplane begin to enter a stall as it turned left and impacted the ground. After the airplane came to a stop, a postimpact fire ensued, during which all the occupants of the airplane egressed through the aft left door. No evidence of any flight control locks was found installed. The tailwheel locking pin was found in place and was sheared into multiple pieces.

July 24, 2018, Lincolnton, N.C.

Piper PA-32R-300 Lance

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0520 Eastern time when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The non-instrument-rated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.

The airplane came to rest in an open field about mile from the departure end of Runway 05. All major components were accounted for at the scene. The flaps and landing gear were in the retracted position. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. All three propeller blades were bent back and exhibited chordwise scratching and leading-edge gouging; one blade also exhibited S-bending. Weather conditions at 0545 included calm winds, visibility 1 sm in mist and an overcast at 200 feet.

July 26, 2018, Cleveland, Tenn.

Cessna 182P Skylane

At about 1650 Eastern time, the private pilot was fatally injured when he was struck by the propeller during a preflight inspection. The airplane was not damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.

The pilot’s wife reported her husband performed a normal shutdown with the mixture control when they arrived earlier. She was outside the airplane behind the passenger door facing her seat when she heard the “propeller move.” She looked up and noticed her husband had fallen to the ground. The airplane’s ignition key was in her husband’s pocket at the time of the accident.


This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue ofAviation Safetymagazine.

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