By Jim Timm JimTimm

July 2015 

The following are the preliminary NTSB reports of aviation accidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid May thru late June. When all detailed accident information becomes available, perhaps it can be used to develop safety programs and briefings that will help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and hopefully take the action needed to prevent similar accidents from happening to them. I would like to think this is actually happening, and from the last few months reports, it appears that it might actually be working.

From a flight safety standpoint, this reporting period was a relatively good one in that the number of reported accidents are still down, however, unfortunately, we do have the report of an Arizona pilot that was involved in a serious accident with multiple fatalities that occurred out of state, Nevada. Within the state of Arizona, in the past reporting period, only three accidents were reported by the NTSB. A Piper Archer had an accident at or near Wickenburg with no accident details being available at press time, an experimental aircraft had a gear collapse on landing at Glendale, and a Bell 206 helicopter experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight resulting in an off airport landing that resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter, but no injury to the pilot.

Because of the low number of accident reports since the first of the year, and in particular since the end of March, I called the NTSB to inquire if there has been a change in the aviation accident reporting program or what could account for the unexpected change in the number of reports published. Their response was that no changes have been made and they had also noted a decline in accidents since the first of the year and had no explanation for it. I’m not sure if either the Darwin effect is winning or if pilots are taking note and becoming more safety conscious. I hope it’s the latter.

FAAST teams out there putting on the safety meetings, please keep up the good work, It appears you might be winning.

Based on information available when this summary was prepared, the reported accidents this reporting period are as follows;

Accident Date: Sunday May 17, 2015
Report Dated (5/26/15)
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Laughlin, Nevada
Aircraft Type: Rockwell International 114/B
Injuries: 3 Fatal

LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF

About 1800 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Rockwell Commander 114 crashed after takeoff near Laughlin, Nevada. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The cross-country personal flight had departed Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP), Bullhead City at 1756, with a planned destination of Goodyear (GYR). At 1756 PDT, ATC cleared the Rockwell 114 for a straight out departure to the south.

In a post-accident interview the pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the engine started to run rough and the airplane was not climbing. The pilot realized he was going to make an off airport landing and was trying to stay away from any buildings. Witnesses in the accident area noted the airplane flying at a very low altitude with some reporting the engine sounds being erratic. Witnesses saw the airplane continue to fly lower in altitude until losing sight of it. They then saw a fireball. The accident site was located in the Big Bend State Park Recreational Area. The main wreckage was located 4.6 NM southwest of IFP. The airplane first hit a mesquite tree, then impacted the sand, and finally came to rest 120 feet south of the first impact point facing 273 degrees. The post impact fire thermally consumed a majority of the aircraft.

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.


Accident Date: Sunday May 24, 2015
Location: Wickenburg
Aircraft Type: Piper PA28-181

NO NTSB INFORMATION AVAILABLE


Accident Date: Friday May 29, 2015
Report Dated (6/19/15)
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Glendale
Aircraft Type: BURR EXPRESS 2000RG (Experimental)
Injuries: None

LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE DURING LANDING

About 1542 MST on May 29, a Burr Express 2000 RG experienced a landing gear collapse during the landing roll at Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU). The private pilot and one passenger were uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that he landed the airplane uneventfully. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane exited the runway surface and slid along the dirt. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest. The pilot exited the airplane and examined the landing gear; he observed that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto the left landing gear, and no hydraulic fluid was observed on the right landing gear.


Accident Date: Monday June 1, 2015
Report Dated (6/15/15)
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Dewey
Aircraft Type: Bell 206L-4
Injuries: None

POWER LOSS IN CRUISE FLIGHT

At about 1945 MST, a Bell 206L-4 sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing following a reported loss of engine power, near Dewey. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules, flight plan was filed for the cross country, ferry flight, that departed Valle Airport(40G), Grand Canyon, about 1900 with a planned destination of Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU).

The pilot reported a loss of engine power while in cruise flight at about 750 feet, above ground
level, and performed an autorotation emergency landing. During the landing sequence, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom and resulted in substantial damage.


THE FOLLOWING ACCIDENT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED IN MAY DEVOID OF NTSB ACCIDENT INFORMATION. HOWEVER, IN THIS JUNE REPORTING PERIOD, ACCIDENT DETAILS HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE.

Accident Date: Saturday, April 4, 2015
Report Dated (6/1/15)
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Surprise
Aircraft Type: Jabiru - SP
Injuries: None

FUEL EXHAUSTION

The pilot stated he was landing at a dirt airstrip near his residence when his engine quit while
maneuvering at a low altitude. He landed the airplane in a field, perpendicular to the field's furrows, resulting in the airplane coming to rest on its nose and sustaining damage to the propeller and nose landing gear, and substantial damage to the right wing. According to the FAA air safety inspector, no fuel was found in the wing fuel tanks during a post-accident examination.