by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that occurred in Arizona from mid-March through April. We hope you use the following detailed accident information to learn from the mistakes being made by others and take the necessary action to prevent similar occurrences.
In this reporting period the number of accidents were up, and the incidents were drastically up. The most important part of this report is that no one lost their life or was seriously injured.
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 suits our purpose of trying to get an idea of what is happening out there so we can help make flying safer.
Date: March 17, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
STRUCK TAIL DURING LANDING
The Cessna 172 did a touch and go on RWY 3R and canceled the takeoff due to a possible tail strike. The aircraft exited the runway and taxied back to the ramp without an issue, and an airfield vehicle attendant inspected the aircraft, and declared it usable. A flight supervisor reported the tail skid had been bent up, and an FAA Form 8020-9 was filled out.
Date: March 19, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Scottsdale (SDL)
Type: Cessna Citation
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
FLIGHT CONTROL ISSUE
The Scottsdale Tower received a call from the Phoenix TRACON that a Cessna Citation was returning to land at Scottsdale and was declaring an emergency due to a flutter in the flight controls. The Citation landed on RWY 3 safely and taxied to parking. No other operations were affected. Earlier the Citation had to abort a takeoff from Scottsdale because of a “No Takeoff Alert,” but later did make a departure.
Date: March 20, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Near Winslow
Type: Cessna 210
Injuries: 4 Uninjured
FUEL EXHAUSTION
The pilot made an emergency landing on State Route 99 due to a loss of power 2 miles east-southeast of Winslow. There were no injuries nor damage to the aircraft. After the aircraft was removed and inspected, the pilot reported the left tank was dry, and the right tank had 15 gallons of fuel in it.
Date: March 23, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Superior (E81)
Type: Cub Crafters CC11-160
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED
The Carbon Cub veered off the dirt RWY 22 while landing at Superior and the nose gear collapsed. The damage incurred was minor.
Date: March 25, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While flying a Piper Archer, the Student Pilot attempted to land on RWY 22L at Mesa Falcon Field, and when trying to slow the aircraft down, the pilot lost control and exited the runway and went into the infield between taxiways D3 and D4. The pilot managed to keep the aircraft upright and taxied off the runway onto Taxiway Delta. There was no damage to the airport environment or the aircraft.
Date: March 25, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Scottsdale (SDL)
Type: Beechcraft Barron
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED
The Barron’s nose gear collapsed during the landing on Scottsdale’s Runway 21. The extent of damage was determined to be minor.
Date: March 28, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Cessna 172 blew a tire on landing and went off the runway. RWY 21R was closed and airport personnel were sent out to the airplane. No damage to the airport or aircraft was reported.
Date: March 29, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Near Maricopa
Type: Lancair Columbia 400
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
The Columbia was flying IFR enroute to Chandler Airport when the pilot experienced a loss of engine power, and the airplane made a forced landing near Mobile, Arizona. ATC services were being provided by the Phoenix TRACON. Because of the remote location, the passengers were picked up by a helicopter and the airplane was released to the owner to be retrieved at a later date. Damage was reported to be minor.
Date: April 1,2023
Source: FAA (incident)
Location: Chandler (CHD)
Type: Vans RV-7
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
When the RV-7 airplane was landing on Chandler Runway 22R, the tower controller noticed a shimmy in the nose wheel. The aircraft exited the runway into the dirt on the southwest side of Runway 22R, and then taxied back onto the runway, and to the hangars via Taxiway Delta. Airport operations conducted a runway inspection, and then went to check on the pilot and aircraft. There was no damage to the airport or the aircraft.
Date: April 2, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: El Tiro (AZ67)
Type: Schempp-Hirth Discus 2b
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
HARD LANDING
The motor glider made a hard landing as a result of a nearby dust devil, and the damage to the glider was unknown.
Date: April 5, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Goodyear (GYR)
Type: Cirrus SR-20
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF
During its takeoff roll from Goodyear RWY 3, the Cirrus advised they were aborting the takeoff, veered off the runway, and came to a stop in the runway safety area. A city operations vehicle went to the scene and reported the aircraft had a flat tire. No damage to the airport lighting or the aircraft was reported.
Date: April 9, 2023
Source: FAA, NTSB
Location: Mesa Falcon field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA28-180
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The solo student lost control while landing on RWY 22R, veered off the left side of the runway and struck a sign, causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot was uninjured.
Date: April 22, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: PA28-181
Injuries: 2 uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Piper Archer made an excursion off the runway while landing and impacted an airport sign. The extent of aircraft damage incurred was unspecified.