by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that occurred in Arizona from mid-September through October. We hope to use the following detailed accident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and be able to take the necessary action to prevent them from having similar occurrences.
In this reporting period aviation safety was not good because of the number of accidents. Unfortunately, there were a couple of serious injuries, but most importantly, there were three fatalities in one of the accidents.
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: September 15, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA44-180 Seminole
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED
It was reported that the nose gear was down, but not locked. The airplane landed and the nose gear collapsed. The damage was ultimately reported to be major.
Date: September 15, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Piper PA28-181
Injuries: UNK
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Piper Archer was cleared for stop-and-go landings, and during a landing the airplane went off the runway. There were no injuries or damage to the aircraft or airport property.
Date: September 17, 2021
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
During the takeoff roll the Cessna 172 ran off the runway and into the grass, breaking a runway light and damaging a wheel fairing. No other damage was reported.
Date: September 19, 2023
Source: ASN, NTSB
Location: Benson (E95)
TYPE: Champion 7KCAB
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER TAKING OFF
The Champion 7KCAB was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Benson. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Shortly after departing the runway at about 50ft AGL, the airplane began to drift right then suddenly rolled sharply to the right. The airplane’s attitude was held briefly before the flight instructor took over the controls. The flight instructor discovered that the aileron controls were unresponsive. He immediately added left rudder and the wings leveled off. The airplane then started a left roll followed by a right roll. Controlling the airplane’s pitch attitude was normal, but the ailerons did not have any effect on the roll attitude of the airplane. The flight instructor continued to control the airplane with elevator and rudder inputs. The airplane lost altitude and impacted the ground with the wings level. The airplane bounced along the ground and came to rest on the runway.
Date: September 20, 2023
Source: FAA, Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Piper PA28-181
Injuries: UNK Uninjured
RAN OFF RUNWAY
The Piper Archer was cleared for stop-and-go landings, and during a landing the airplane went off the runway approximately 2000 ft from the threshold. Ground emergency was called, but no medical help was needed, and there was no damage to the aircraft or airport property.
Date: October 1, 2023
Source: FAA, Incident
Location: Chandler Airport (CHD)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
TAIL STRIKE DURING LANDING
During touch-and-go landings the pilot reported a tail strike during one of the landings. There was no damage reported.
Date: October 3, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Near North Phoenix
TYPE: Ultramagic N-300 Balloon
Injuries: 2 Serious Injuries, 12 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Ultramagic balloon bounced several times during the landing, and the basket was dragged along the ground due to strong gusting winds.
Date: October 6, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Glendale Airport (GEU)
TYPE: Aeronca Champ 8GCBC
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
BRAKES LOCKED UP
When completing a full stop landing the brakes locked, and the airplane nosed over on the runway. The damage was accessed by the NTSB to be minor.
Date: October 9, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott Airport (PRC)
Type: Cessna 150
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED
The nose gear on the Cessna 150 collapsed during the landing at Prescott. The damage was reported to be minor
Date: October 11, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Chandler Airport (CHD)
Type: Piper PA46-310P Malibu
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF
The Piper Malibu sustained substantial damage when the airplane experienced a loss of engine power shortly after departure. The pilot attempted to return to the runway but struck a fence when landing in a field.
Date: October 12, 2023
Source: FAA
Location: Mesa Gateway Airport (AVQ)
Type: Boeing PT17 (A75N1)
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The PT17 Stearman ground looped while landing at Gateway and damaged the lower left wing.
Date: October17, 2023
Source: ASN, NTSB
Location: H. A. Clark Field (CMR), Williams, AZ
Type: Piper PA28-140
Injuries: 3 Fatal
LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF
The Cherokee Cruiser had initiated its flight in San Diego, refueled in Las Vegas, and shortly after refueled again at H.A. Clark Field (CMR) at Williams, Arizona. The aircraft departed at approximately 12:20 pm, and witnesses stated they heard the departing airplane operating at what they described as low or no power, and turned to a northerly direction back towards the airport where the plane came down in a nearby open field. The debris field was very limited in size.