by Jim Timm
The following is a report of the aviation accidents and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-July through August. We use the following detailed accident information to develop safety programs and briefings that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others, and take the necessary action to prevent them from having similar occurrences.
In this reporting period aviation safety was not as good as it could have been. The number of accidents were a bit higher than we would like, and there were some injuries and deaths. Near the end of the report there was an accident near Page that unfortunately claimed the lives of two passengers, and included several injuries. In last month’s Accident Report there was an accident that was based in erroneous information we had received from our of our sources. This month, the first report presented is a correction of the erroneous report, thanks to an APA member that brought the correction to our attention.
In continuing with the expanded scope of the report, we’re using information from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), FAA, NTSB, and APA Members. This more inclusive information source better suites our purpose of trying to get an idea of what is happening out there so we can try to make flying safer.
CORRECTED REPORT
Date: June 19, 2022
Source: FAA, NTSB
Location: Chandler Stellar Airpark (P19)
Type: Waco 2T-1A-2
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
INFLIGHT LOSS OF PROPELLER BLADE
Shortly after takeoff the Waco biplane lost a blade from the propeller at approximately 1000 ft agl. After the initial shock, the pilot was able to initiate a 180° turn, and execute a safe landing on RWY 35. Significant damage occurred to the aircraft and engine resulting from the imbalance from the missing blade. No maintenance record discrepancies were noted, and the FAA will follow up with the propeller manufacturer to determine the status of any Service Bulletin, or possible Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued on the propeller. The FAA will submit a Safety Recommendation if necessary.
In the meantime, here are the current results from the above sources.
Date: July 17, 2022
Source: FAA, NTSB
Location: Chandler (CHD)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 3 Unjured
TAIL STRIKE ON LANDING
The aircraft struck the tail and broke off the tail hook during the landing. Per the NTSB, the damage was minor.
Date: July 20, 2022
Source: FAA
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
ON GROUND ENGINE FIRE
The aircraft experienced a fire in the engine compartment while operating on a taxiway. Upon inspection of the aircraft, there was no visible damage to the aircraft, and the source of the flash and smoke could not be readily determined. There was no apparent damage to the aircraft outside, the aircraft cabin compartment, or the engine compartment. This was a new aircraft with only 85 hours of operating time. The owner will be notifying the manufacturer, Textron, of the incident.
Date: July 20,2022
Source: FAA
Location: Casa Grande
Type: Cessna 150
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
INFLIGHT ENGINE FAILURE
The pilot reported engine problems and landed one mile east of the Casa Grande airport. There was no reported damage to the airplane or to anything on the ground.
Date: August 1,2022
Source: FAA
Location: Phoenix (DVT)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF POWER INFLIGHT
The pilot declared a Mayday with the TRACON Jerome controller, that they had a complete engine failure. The pilot initially wanted to land at the nearest airport, but was able to restart the engine and maintain power, and decided to land at Deer Valley airport. The aircraft made a safe landing at DVT on Runway 25R, and taxied to parking without issue.
Date: August 13, 2022
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Page
Type: Cessna 207A Turbo Stationair 8
Injuries: 2 Minor, 3 Serious, 2 Fatal
IN FLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
The pilot reported engine problems before going down in Lake Powell. Sheriff’s officials stated the aircraft contained six French tourists plus the pilot. The plane was out of Page, and it went down near Face Canyon in the Grand Canyon. The pilot and witnesses were able to get four of the passengers out of the plane, into boats, and taken to shore where helicopters took them to hospitals. Two of the passengers were unable to be rescued from the plane and died. The nature of the engine issues were undefined.
Date: August 15, 2022
Source: ASN
Location: Grand Canyon West Airport
Type:
Injuries:
NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED OTHER THAN THE ABOVE. ANY FURTHER INFORMATION FROM ASN OR OTHER SOURCES WILL BE CONTAINED IN A FUTURE REPORT.
Date: August 18, 2022
Source: ASN
Location: Yuma Proving Grounds
Type: Airbus Zephyr 8 (Drone)
Injuries: 0
UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF PROPULSIVE POWER
According to a statement made by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense: "Following 64 days of stratospheric flight, and the completion of numerous mission objectives, the Zephyr experienced circumstances that ended its current flight”. ADS-B data show the aircraft was flying at an altitude of about 52,000 feet until it began its unplanned descent to land.
Date: August 27, 2022
Source: ASN
Location: Ak-Chin (A39)
Type: Carbon Cub EX-2
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The experimental CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX-2 sustained substantial damage when it encountered a crosswind on landing which lifted up the wing and caused the airplane to lose control and become inverted.