The following are the NTSB reports of aviation accidents that have occurred in Arizona from late August thru late September. APA will use this detailed accident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others, and take the action necessary to prevent them from having similar accidents.
Once again it’s fortunate that this month’s safety summary is going to be a relatively short one. I think this is good, and I hope the trend continues. Apparently pilots are being careful of what they are doing, and are paying attention to maintenance issues. In this last reporting period there were only two accidents that were reported by the NTSB, and unfortunately they didn’t release the text of the preliminary reports on either of the accidents. There also were a couple of accidents that we are aware of thru the media coverage that the NTSB has not had time to recognize. There are also two accidents that had been reported at an earlier date, but the preliminary reports of these accidents were just released in this last reporting period, and the results are included in this report.
ACCIDENTS THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THIS REPORTING PERIOD
Accident Date: August 25, 2019
Preliminary Report Dated: 8/29/19
Location: Cottonwood
Aircraft Type: Piper PA28
Injuries: UNK
The NTSB has not yet made the preliminary report available.
Accident Date: September 12, 2019
Preliminary Report Dated: 9/17/19
Location: Phoenix
Aircraft Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: UNK
The NTSB has not yet made the preliminary report available.
THE FOLLOWING ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED AT AN EARLIER DATE WITHOUT HAVING THESE REPORTS AVAILABLE
Accident Date: August 8, 2019
Preliminary Report Dated: 8/28/19
Title 14 CFR Part 91 Operation
Location: Phoenix
Aircraft Type: Piper PA30
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
MECHANICAL FAILURE-GEAR UP LANDING
On August 8, 2019, about 0845 MST, a Piper PA-30 airplane was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA). The flight instructor/owner and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was being operated as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the airport about the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight had originated from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) about 0710.
The flight instructor reported that, after several single engine approaches he noticed that the landing gear would not fully retract. He added that, the landing gear circuit breaker was in the open position. The flight instructor reset the circuit breaker and attempted to cycle the landing gear but was unsuccessful. He then used the gear extension handle to attempt to manually extend the gear but was unsuccessful. He elected to land with the landing gear in the up position.
The airplane was transported to the pilot's hanger and secured for further investigation.
Accident Date: August 14, 2019
Preliminary Report Dated: 8/28/19
Title 14 CFR Part 91
Location: Mesa
Aircraft Type: Extra EA300/L
Injuries: 2 uninjured
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
On August 14, 2019, about 0725 MST, an Extra Flugzeugbau 300/L airplane impacted terrain subsequent to a loss of engine power near Mesa, Arizona. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was operated as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company flight plan was filed. The local flight departed Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA), Mesa, about 0625.
A representative of the operator reported that while the airplane was maneuvering in a designated practice area, the engine lost power. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to an open field and landed off-airport.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward section of the fuselage.