By Jim Timm 
April 2016
The following are the NTSB reports of the aviation accidents that occurred in Arizona from late February thru late March, 2016. We will use this detailed accident information in the coming year to develop safety programs and briefings that will help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and hopefully take the action necessary to prevent similar accidents from happening to them.
From a flight safety standpoint, this reporting period, while not too bad, could have been better. Fortunately, only three accidents had been reported. One was devoid of any detailed accident information, and the other two had detailed preliminary reports issued. In those reports, one accident incurred a single serious injury, and the other accident did not involve injuries. An accident that had occurred last January 23rd has finally had a findings report issued, and it is included in this summary.
I hope a low accident and serious injury rate can continue for 2016, and I also hope we have met our quota for fatal accidents for 2016. Please fly carefully out there! Based on information available when this summary was prepared, the three accidents in this period are as follows:
(Accident previously reported sans information)
Accident Date: Saturday, January 23, 2016
Report Dated 3/22/16
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Prescott
Aircraft Type: Cessna TR182
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
The pilot reported that he became distracted while looking for other traffic during the final approach, and "failed to lower the gear." The airplane skidded about 330 feet to a stop on the runway. The pilot reported that the landing gear configuration warning horn did not sound, but also reported that he was aware that the horn was inoperative. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Report Dated 3/3/16
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Fountain Hills
Aircraft Type: Piper PA22-150 (Apparently modified to PA20-150 configuration)
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
POWER LOSS INFLIGHT
On March 2, 2016, about 1600 MST, a Piper PA-22-150 airplane executed a precautionary landing onto a sandy wash following a partial loss of engine power near Fountain Hills, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; however, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The local personal flight originated from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA), Phoenix, Arizona.
The pilot reported that they were flying low, about 700 feet above the ground, taking pictures of the river when the airplane's engine started to sputter. The pilot added full power and ensured that the mixture and carburetor heat were full forward. Unable to regain full power, he landed the airplane on a sandy wash. During the landing roll, the airplane sunk into the sand and the right wing impacted vegetation. The airplane nosed over and came to rest with its back against a berm.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.
Accident Date: Saturday, March 5, 2016
Report Dated 3/18/16
Title 14 CFR Part 103: Ultralight
Location: Queen Creek
Aircraft Type: North Wing Apache
Injuries: 1 Serious
FORCED LANDING DAMAGE
On March 5, 2016, about 1346 MST, an experimental, North Wing Apache, weight-shift-control (WSC) trike, collided with terrain following takeoff from a field, southeast of Queen Creek. The trike was previously registered to a private individual and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was the sole person on board. During the accident sequence, the trike sustained substantial damage.
According to local law enforcement officials, the pilot reported hearing a "snapping" sound about 200 feet, above ground level, and performed an emergency landing in a field. Subsequently, the trike sustained substantial damage to the wings during the landing.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight departed at an undetermined time.
Accident Date: Sunday, March 13, 2016
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Chandler
Aircraft Type: Cessna 140
NO NTSB INFORMATION AVAILABLE
The following are the NTSB reports of the aviation accidents that occurred in Arizona from late February thru late March, 2016. We will use this detailed accident information in the coming year to develop safety programs and briefings that will help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and hopefully take the action necessary to prevent similar accidents from happening to them.
From a flight safety standpoint, this reporting period, while not too bad, could have been better. Fortunately, only three accidents had been reported. One was devoid of any detailed accident information, and the other two had detailed preliminary reports issued. In those reports, one accident incurred a single serious injury, and the other accident did not involve injuries. An accident that had occurred last January 23rd has finally had a findings report issued, and it is included in this summary.
I hope a low accident and serious injury rate can continue for 2016, and I also hope we have met our quota for fatal accidents for 2016. Please fly carefully out there! Based on information available when this summary was prepared, the three accidents in this period are as follows: