AVweb’sGeneral Aviation Accident Bulletinis taken from the pages of our sister publication,Aviation Safetymagazine. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause on 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.
February 6, 2019, Aurora, Ore.
Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
The airplane collided with terrain at about 1530 Pacific time while on short-final approach. The private pilot and flight instructor were seriously injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
The purpose of the flight was to practice commercial pilot maneuvers. On returning to the airport, the flight instructor and the pilot briefed a practice power-off 180-degree landing as they entered the traffic pattern. When the airplane was abeam the 1000-foot runway markings, the pilot reduced power to idle and started a left turn toward the runway. He stated that he realized the airplane was probably not going to make the runway; he last recalls the airplane turning sharply to the left, as he was pulling on the control yoke, and adding right rudder input.
February 8, 2019, Atlantic Ocean
Convair C131B Samaritan
At 1216 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about 32 miles east of Miami, Fla. The captain was fatally injured; the first officer was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the international Part 135 cargo flight, which departed Nassau, The Bahamas, at 1113.
Earlier in the day, the crew had flown the airplane to Nassau. During that flight, the left engine’s propeller stuck at 2400 rpm, although the flight was completed. At the start of the accident flight, the crew assessed the earlier problem with the electric prop controls to be resolved. Climbing through 4000 feet, however, the left propeller once again stuck at 2400 rpm. The captain took control and tried to stabilize the power on both engines, leveling off at 4500 feet MSL. The remainder of the flight was normal until they began a descent—the right engine suddenly backfired and began to surge. The crew feathered the right propeller and shut down the engine. No more than two minutes later, the left engine backfired and began to surge. Soon, they were forced to ditch.
February 8, 2019, Vero Beach, Fla.
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior/Cadet
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a utility pole and trees during a forced landing at 1706 Eastern time. The solo private pilot was uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While practicing touch-and-go landings, the pilot noted engine roughness on final approach and advised ATC he would be making an emergency landing. He retracted flaps and lost total engine power at about 500 to 600 feet AGL. Unable to reach the runway, he executed a forced landing on a nearby gravel road. During the landing, the airplane impacted a utility pole, trees and shrubs. The right fuel tank was impact-damaged and leaking while the left fuel tank was full.
February 8, 2019, Diablo, Calif.
Mooney M20F Executive 21
At about 2010 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain. The solo student pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for takeoff, with a planned destination of Lincoln, Calif.
An FAA Alert Notification was issued for the missing airplane after a family member reported it overdue. The wreckage was located the next day by hikers about 1000 feet below and -mile southwest of a mountain summit of 3849 feet. Preliminary radar data indicate the airplane departed and made a climbing left turn to the northeast. All major components were present at the accident site.
February 10, 2019, Laramie, Wyo.
Lancair IV-P Experimental
The airplane experienced a windscreen failure at about 1600 Mountain time and diverted to a nearby airport where the pilot made an uneventful landing. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane was cruising at 15,500 feet MSL and about 235 knots when the pilot heard a loud “bang” as the windscreen suddenly blew out of the airframe. The pilot slowed and lowered the landing gear to stabilize the airplane. He diverted and made an uneventful landing.
This article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue ofAviation Safetymagazine.
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