by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that occurred in Arizona from mid-August through mid-September. We hope to use the following detailed accident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers 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 very good because of the large number of accidents. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, and most importantly, no one lost their life.
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.
In the meantime, here are the results from the above sources.
Date: August 19, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Piper Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Bird Strike
The Cessna 172 sustained a bird strike during the crosswind leg of a touch and go landing on RWY 21L at PRC. The bird, presumed to be a crow, resulted in a large 3 inch by 12-inch dent on the leading edge of the right wing.
Date: August 19, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA28-180
Injuries: UNK Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Piper landed on Runway 22R, and the aircraft went off the departure end and into the grass. ARFF and airport Operations responded to the aircraft, and ARFF reported there was no damage to the aircraft and there were no pilot medical issues. The aircraft was returned to the RWY 22R overrun pavement, and the aircraft requested to taxi to the Echo Ramp, which was accomplished satisfactorily. A runway inspection was made, and there was no damage or FOD on Runway 22R, and it was made available for service.
Date: August 20, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Chandler (CHD)
TYPE: Mooney M20K
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Mooney aborted its takeoff on Runway 4L at CHD due to a lack of power. The pilot reported a shifting wind which resulted in a tailwind on takeoff. The airplane went off the end of the runway, and into the dirt, resulting in a prop strike.
Date: August 21, 2023
Source: FAA, Incident
Location: Phoenix (PHX)
Type: Beechcraft BE-400
Injuries: UNK Uninjured
CRACKED WINDSHIELD
The Beech Hawker Jet took off from Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) for Twin Falls, Idaho (TWF), and then diverted to Phoenix (PHX), declaring an emergency due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft made a safe landing at PHX without further incident.
Date: September 1, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB, APA
Location: Coolidge Municipal (P08)
Type: Piper PA34-200T
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
The FAA reported that the Seneca II took off from Mesa, Falcon Field (FFZ) with a destination of Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08). The airplane landed gear up at Coolidge, lost control, and struck a runway sign with a wing, and was substantially damaged.
Date: September 2, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB, APA
Location: Prescott (PRC)
TYPE: Piper PA28-140
Injuries: 4 Minor Injuries
DENSITY ALTITUDE
The aircraft departed Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) with an ultimate destination of Grand Canyon-National Park Airport (GCN) and stopped at Prescott Regional airport to re-fuel before continuing to Grand Canyon Airport. The NTSB stated the airplane took off from Prescott but was unable to climb, and the pilot attempted to make an off-airport landing on a road, and the tail hit a tree during the landing attempt. While none of the occupants were seriously injured, the airplane was substantially damaged.
Date: September 4, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Marble Canyon Airport (L41)
TYPE: Cessna 150M
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
DENSITY ALTITUDE
The FAA reported that the airplane departed from Saint George Airport, struggled to obtain altitude, and flew to Marble Canyon airport (L41). The FAA reported that when the airplane departed Marble Canyon it was unable to climb, stalled, and impacted a hill.
Date: September 5, 2023
Source: ASN, APA
Location: Bullhead-Laughlin Airport (IFP)
Type: Rutan Long-EZ
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED
The Long-EZ departed Livermore California, and while landing at its destination, Bullhead-Laughlin Airport, its nose gear collapsed, the pilot lost control, and the airplane struck a sign and some runway lights.
Date: September 5, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Cessna 170A
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Cessna landed on RWY 25R, began to maneuver from side to side, and then came to rest nose down on the runway, incurring a prop strike. The extent of damage was undefined.
Source: ASN, APA, FAA (Incident)
Location: Marana Regional Airport (AVQ)
Type: Beechcraft B35S
Bonanza Injuries: 1 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
The Beech Bonanza departed Ryan Field (RYN), and during the landing at its destination, Marana Regional Airport, the Bonanza made a gear up landing on Runway 12. All the damage was confined to the aircraft.
Date: September 6, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The solo Student Pilot was cleared to land on RWY 12C, however, after touching down the aircraft went off the side of the runway into the grass. Ground Control activated the Crash Phone, and the Emergency Response personnel responded. The ARFF team declared the aircraft was fire safe, and the aircraft was towed back to the ramp. No injuries or aircraft/airport property damage were reported.
Date: September 6, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Marana Regional Airport (AVQ)
Type: Mooney M20E
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED
When the Mooney landed at Marana the landing gear collapsed during the roll out. The extent of the damage was unreported.
Date: September 6, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, APA
Location: Sunset Point
Type: Cessna 172 Skyhawk II
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
IN FLIGHT ENGINE FAILURE
The Cessna Skyhawk had departed Saint George Municipal Airport in Utah (SGU) and had a planned destination of Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ). The airplane made a forced landing on the southbound lane of Interstate highway I-17 near Black Canyon City following a loss of engine power. Using the Guard Frequency, the pilot attempted to communicate with ATC but was unsuccessful. He was able to communicate with several other aircraft who attempted to provide assistance.