Jim Timm
In this regular reporting of aviation accidents that have occurred in Arizona, we hope we may be able to learn from mistakes being made and take action to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
For the past reporting period, the NTSB had issued reports for seven aviation accidents in Arizona. One was a landing collision between two balloons without injuries. One accident resulted in a single minor injury and the other six accidents did not result in any reported injuries. The minor injury accident appeared to have been a result of a hard landing.
The following information was taken from the preliminary reports that have been issued by the NTSB and contain only the initial information available and are subject to change and may contain errors. Any errors in these preliminary NTSB reports will be corrected when the more detailed final report has been completed, which in some cases may be a year or more later.
Accident Date; Tuesday, April 10, 2012 (Reported 5/15/12)
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Sedona Aircraft; Avian Balloon Magnum IX (2 Balloons) Injuries; 14 Uninjured
During the process of landing, the basket of one balloon snagged the envelope of another balloon, tearing it’s envelope and releasing the hot air. Both balloons landed without injury to the total of 14 passengers in both balloons.
Accident Date; Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Oro Valley Aircraft; Apollo Aircraft Inc. Monsoon Injuries; 1 Minor Injury
The weight-shift trike ultra light landed on the two rear wheels and the pilot held the nose high during roll out. When the trike slowed down, the nose dropped hard collapsing the nose gear. After sliding to a stop, the trike tipped on it’s side substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot sustained a minor injury.
(Closed, factual report)
Accident Date; Friday, April 27, 2012 (Reported 5/22/12)
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Coolidge Aircraft; RV-6 Injuries; 2 Uninjured
In the process of demonstrating stop-and-go takeoffs and landings to his passenger, during the second landing roll, the airplane began to swerve to the right, the pilot applied left rudder pedal and pulled the control stick aft. The airplane then ground looped to the left, coming to rest upright. The rudder sustained substantial damage. No pre-impact malfunctions or failures with the airplane were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.
(Closed, factual report)
Accident Date; Saturday May 5, 2012
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Heber-Overgaard Aircraft; Cessna 195 Injuries; 3 Uninjured
During takeoff roll just after the tail came up, the pilot encountered a right quartering tail wind gust and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot made a correction to the right and the airplane then crossed the runway and a taxi way. To avoid collision with a hangar, the pilot ground looped the airplane, collapsing both landing gear. A post crash fire erupted which consumed the airplane. The three occupants were uninjured.
(Closed, factual report)
Accident Date; Sunday, May 13, 2012
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Mobile Aircraft; Beech F33A Injuries; 1 Uninjured
The student pilot was practicing a series of full stop landings and takeoffs at the Airline Training Center Airport at Mobil. The first three landings and takeoffs were uneventful and the pilot noted the wind was light and required almost no crosswind correction, however some “dust devils” were noted in the general area. During takeoff, the Beech F33A, while accelerating thru approximately 50 to 55 knots, suddenly yawed to the left. Despite the student pilot’s inputs, the airplane exited the runway to the left striking several bushes. The right inboard portion of the wing was crushed aft and the right horizontal stabilizer was also damaged. The pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. Post accident examination of the nose gear and steering linkages revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date; Sunday May 27, 2012 (Reported 6/15/12)
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Page Aircraft; Cessna 172S Injuries; 2 Uninjured
The private pilot was at the airplane controls during the landing approach. Another private pilot was present, acting as safety/lookout. The pilot held the airplane in a yaw during the landing approach, while the safety pilot looked through the rear window in order to monitor another airplane behind them. The safety pilot, concerned that the airplane behind was flying too close, watched as it overflew them during the flare. When the safety pilot then looked forward he noticed that the airplane was still in a yaw condition and not aligned with the runway center line. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw during the flare, but landed with a side load on the left main landing gear, and the airplane veered off the runway. The safety pilot attempted to take control of the airplane, but it continued into the ramp area and collided with two parked aircraft, substantially damaging one of the parked aircraft. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were reported that would have precluded normal operation.
(Closed, factual report)
Accident Date; Tuesday, May 29, 2012 (Reported 6/14/12)
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation Location; Peoria Aircraft; Piper PA28R-201 Injuries; 2 Uninjured
After departing Deer Valley Airport (DVT) the Piper aircraft was substantially damaged about 1030 MST following a forced landing due to a loss of engine power at Pleasant Valley Airport (P48). The private pilot, who was receiving a commercial pilot check ride, was occupying the left pilot seat and the FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who was occupying the right pilot seat were uninjured. The DPE reported that while the pilot was performing a simulated forced landing at P48, he was instructed to make a go-around at an altitude of approximately 700 feet AGL. The DPE stated that when the pilot advanced the throttle there was no response from the engine. The DPE instructed the pilot to make an emergency landing on the runway. In landing, the pilot landed long resulting in an overrun, a collapse of the right main landing gear and substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was secured for further examination.