The following are the reports of aviation accidents that occurred in Arizona from late December through late January. 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.
While the actual aviation safety in Arizona may still continue to be a bit of an unknown because accident information is still unavailable from the NTSB. The information we did get from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) indicated we only had three aircraft accidents this past month. Based on this, it would indicate we are starting the year on a really good note. One of the accidents had a minor injury and the others didn’t have any injuries. A good way to start the year. The ASN did have one report on the last day of December that was not an accident, but rather, it was a report of an aircraft that was stolen here in Arizona. That report is included in this report in hopes it will assist in the recovery of the aircraft.
So, until the NTSB gets their new accident website up and running, here are the results from the ASN. Apparently, there were only three relatively minor aircraft accidents, and they are as follows.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE ASN
Date: December 31, 2020
Location: Cottonwood
Aircraft: Kitfox Series 5, N153PR, S/N: ECV005
AIRCRAFT MISSING
A box trailer containing the aircraft, an experimental, amateur-built, Mike A Garramone Kitfox Series 5 Vixen, was reported stolen from Cottonwood Airport (P52).
“If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Cottonwood Police Department at (928) 649-1397. You can also contact Yavapai Silent Witness who is offering an award up to $450 for information leading to an arrest. Yavapai Silent Witness can be contacted at 1-800-932-3232 or www.yavapaisw.com.”
Accident Date: January 1, 2021
Location: Marana
Aircraft Type: Bell 47D1
Injuries: 1 Minor Injury
LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING
While maneuvering to avoid an aircraft on the taxiway, the helicopter experienced a loss of tail rotor authority and had a subsequent impact with airport terrain at Marana Regional Airport (AVQ). The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot onboard received minor injuries.
Accident Date: JANUARY 4, 2021
Location: Phoenix (PHX)
Aircraft Type: Pilatus PC12/24
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
DAMAGE DURING LANDING
The aircraft experienced a prop strike upon landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airplane sustained damage to the fuselage underside, one wing and propeller. The three crew onboard were not injured during the incident.
Accident Date: JANUARY 22, 2021
Location: Queen Creek
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD500E
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL ON APPROACH TO LANDING
The helicopter departed Scottsdale Municipal Airport for Rittenhouse Army Heliport (AZ38), and the aircraft sustained substantial damage subsequent to a loss of tail rotor authority while on approach at Rittenhouse Army Heliport, Queen Creek. The two occupants onboard the helicopter were not injured.