By Jim Timm
MAY 2014
In the past we have been able to review the preliminary NTSB accident reports for aviation accidents shortly after they had occurred in Arizona, and used the information to develop safety programs and briefings that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and take the necessary action to prevent similar accidents from happening. With the new NTSB reporting guidelines that have been implemented at the first of the year, it’s going to be a little bit more time consuming for us to be able to develop these safety programs to reduce accidents. Investigators now have 90 days to submit a preliminary accident report rather than the previous 30 days. This means we will have to dig back deeper into the records to get the information.
We are hoping that an alternate, and more current, source of information may be available from the Scottsdale FSDO. An effort will continue to be made to determine if this is possible.
In the last reporting period, there were five accidents reported as follows. Two of them have had a preliminary report issued.
Accident Date: Monday, March 17, 2014
Location: Glendale
Aircraft Type: Grumman TMB-3E
Accident Date: Thursday March 20, 2014
Location: Coolidge
Aircraft Type: Diamond Aircraft DA40
Accident Date: Sunday, March 23, 2014 Reported 4/22/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Mesa
Aircraft Type: Diamond Aircraft DA20C1
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
The student pilot reported that following an uneventful practice no flap landing, he decided to exit the 3,799-foot long runway at the last taxiway exit and focused on maintaining runway centerline. The student pilot stated that he did not realize how close to the end of the runway he was and the airplane was traveling too fast to turn onto the intended taxiway exit. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway onto the dirt, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date: Saturday March 29, 2014 Reported 4/22/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Eloy
Aircraft Type: Aviat Aircraft Inc. A 1B
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
The pilot reported that he was practicing off airport landings and takeoffs. After the fifth landing, which was intended as a touch and go, he powered up for takeoff, lost directional control, and the airplane ground-looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar, and left elevator. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date: Monday April 14, 2014
Location: Silver Spring
Aircraft Type: LINDstrand 240A (Balloon)
Previously Reported Accidents That Have Had Accident Reports Issued This Past Reporting Period.
This last reporting period the following information was made available for accidents that were previously listed without a preliminary or final report provided.
Accident Date: Saturday, January 4, 2014 Reported 4/1/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Marana
Aircraft Type: Cessna 140
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Factual (final) Report
The pilot stated that he had completed four landings, and while at a fast taxi he touched both toe brakes. The airplane began a gradual turn to the right. He corrected the right turn first with left rudder control then left brake, however, neither action corrected the tightening right-hand turn. When the airplane encountered the edge of the runway, it nosed down and tilted to the left, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot described the right brake as "dragging" throughout the accident sequence.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing roll out when the right brake did not release completely after he applied, then released brake pressure, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the taxi speed.
Accident Date: Friday January 10, 2014 Reported 4/22/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: In Lake Havasu
Aircraft Type: MAULE M7-235
Injuries: 2 Minor
The pilot reported that following an uneventful takeoff in the amphibious float equipped airplane, he intended on performing a water landing at a nearby lake as part of his check ride. During the water landing, the airplane immediately nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot stated that he had become distracted after takeoff and did not retract the landing gear for the water landing. The designated pilot examiner onboard the airplane, reported that he did not confirm the position of the landing gear prior to the water landing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date: Sunday, January 26, 2014 Reported 4/1/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Wikieup
Aircraft Type: Cessna 170
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Factual (final) Report
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a private dirt runway, the main wheel landing gear struck a dirt berm. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and a post-accident fire ensued, which consumed the fuselage and inboard portion of both wings. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during takeoff.
Accident Date: Saturday, February 15, 2014 Reported 4/23/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Glendale
Aircraft Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Factual (final) Report
After touching down the airplane veered to the left. The pilot added right rudder to correct back to the centerline, however, it continued toward the right side of the runway. The airplane subsequently went off of the runway and impacted a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the rear right wing spar. A post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector revealed no pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a taxiway sign.
Accident Date: Saturday, February 1, 2014 Reported 4/18/2014
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Aircraft Type: Beech V35A
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured
The pilot reported that the wind was calm during his descent to landing. He further stated that he was low and slow at about 150 to 200 feet above the ground when the airplane began to stall and he was too late to respond. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain and came to rest short of the runway threshold. During the accident sequence, the firewall and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.