by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-May thru June. We hope to use the following detailed accident information to develop safety programs and briefings to 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 too good because the number of accidents/Incidents are a bit high, and we had one accident near the end of the reporting period that resulted in two fatalities.
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 suites our purpose of trying to get an idea of what is happening out there so we can help make flying safer.
In the meantime, here are the results from the above sources.
Date: May 24, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, APA Member
Location: Tucson (TUS)
Type: Cessna 177 Cardinal
Injuries: 1 Serious Injury
LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER TAKEOFF
The Cessna Cardinal sustained substantial damage when it crashed during takeoff from Tucson International (TUS). It was reported that the pilot was going to a nearby practice area, and during the departure the aircraft appeared to be climbing very slowly. The pilot reported to the tower that the aircraft was not achieving the desired climb out performance, and it was suggested he should consider returning to the airport. While maneuvering to return to the airport the pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed. There was speculation that the engine may have recently been overhauled.
Date: May 24, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Casa Grande (CGZ)
Type: Cessna 172S Skyhawk
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTOL LANDING
The Skyhawk departed Chandler Airport, and during its landing at Casa Grande Municipal Airport it reported a partial power loss. It was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway and struck a fence and a tree.
Date: May 25, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Cessna was cleared for a touch-and-go, but when the aircraft landed it maneuvered off the runway into the grass and came to a stop. Airport operations were suspended, and an airport operations vehicle inspected the runway and reported no damage. The airport vehicle followed the aircraft to the ramp and reported no damage to the airplane.
Date: May 30, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Goodyear (GYR)
Type: Cirrus SR22
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
When the Cirrus landed the brakes locked up and the airplane exited the runway, hit a runway light, and went into the grass. There was no reported damage to the airplane.
Date: June 3, 2023
Source: FAA, ASN, NTSB
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172S Skyhawk
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While landing, the aircraft stalled during the flare, and the wing struck the runway which resulted in substantial damage.
Date: June 4, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Piper PA28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
GROUND COLLISION WHILE TAXIING
A Piper PA-28-181 Archer III, and a Hatz CB-1 experimental plane were involved in a ground collision at Tucson-Ryan Field (RYN), Tucson. The sole pilots onboard each aircraft were not injured. The CB-1 sustained prop strike damage, and the Piper PA28 sustained prop strike damage to the wing.
According to the FAA, the Piper crossed the hold short line and struck the CB-1 while both planes were taxiing. Based on ADS-B data of the Piper, the collision occurred on taxiway B4, after the Piper landed on runway 6R.
Date: June 7, 2023
Source: FAA (Incident)
Location: Deer Valley (DVT)
Type: Aero L39
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
CANOPY SEPARATION
While taking off, on the departure roll the pilot reported the canopy had separated from the aircraft.
Date: June 10. 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Apache Junction
Type: Socata TB30 EPSILON
Injuries: 2 Fatal
CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN
The accident aircraft was part of a three-ship formation that departed on a local flight out of Mesa-Falcon Field (FFZ) and impacted terrain in the Superstition Mountains. One of the other aircraft in the formation was also a Socata TB30 EPSILON.