by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-October through November. 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 the best because of the number of accidents that occurred. Late in the reporting period there was a fatal accident reported that did not occur in Arizona, but in Plano, Texas. It’s reported because it included an Arizona pilot. We wish we were able to track Arizona pilots that are involved in very serious accidents outside of Arizona, but that information is not always readily available to us.
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: October 19, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix (PHX)
Type: Gulfstream III
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
BRAKE FIRE
Upon landing the brakes locked up and caught fire. The fire was extinguished, and the extent of damage was determined to be minor.
Date: October 19, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Flagstaff (FLG)
Type: Mooney M-20M
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft bounced on landing and struck three runway lights. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Date: October 21, 2021
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Cessna 177 Cardinal RG
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
The Cessna landed gear up, and the NTSB determined the damage was minor.
Date: November 2, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway (IWA)
TYPE: Piper PA28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL
The student pilot ran off the runway, and there was no damage to the aircraft or the airport infrastructure.
Date: November 4, 2023
Source: FAA, Incident
Location: Near Page
Type: Aerostarr RX8 Balloon
Injuries: 2 Uninjured, 1 Serious Injury
BURNER FAILURE
The balloon had a double burner failure at about 75 feet about the ground, and they struck a parked SUV during an uncontrolled descent. One passenger sustained serious injuries.
Date: November 5, 2023
Source: FAA, Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Cirrus SR20
Injuries: UNK Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER LANDING
After landing, the pilot turned to exit the runway, temporarily lost brake pressure, and veered into the dirt. The pilot regained brake pressure and taxied to parking. An inspection disclosed there was no damage to the aircraft or airport property.
Date: November 6, 2023
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
TYPE: MD530F Helicopter
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
TAIL ROTOR STRIKE
The tail rotor impacted the ground during autorotation practice, and the aircraft skidded to a stop. There was substantial damage.
Date: November 7, 2023
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Yuma Airport (NYL)
TYPE: Military C130
Injuries: UNK Uninjured
HARD LANDING
The C130 made a hard landing. There were no known injuries or aircraft damage.
Date: November 16, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Yuma Airport (NYL)
TYPE: ELA-10 Eclipse Gyroplane
Injuries: 1 Uninjured. 1 minor injury
DUST DEVIL UPSET
While landing, the ELA-10 gyroplane was hit by a dust devil and departed the prepared surface striking a sign. One occupant was injured.
Date: November 17, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Yuma Airport (NYL)
TYPE: Beechcraft 95 Travel Air
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT
After takeoff, the Beech Travel Air experienced a rudder oscillation that violently shook the aircraft, causing the windshield to come off. The flight landed safely back at the Yuma Airport.
Date: November 21, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Plano, Texas
Type: Mooney M20C MK21
Injuries: 1 Fatal
LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A GO-AROUND
The Mooney crashed in a parking lot in Plano, half a mile west of the Air Park-Dallas Airport (F69). The sole person on board was an Arizona resident, and he died in the crash. Preliminary information indicates the pilot was in radio contact with Addison Tower and stated he might divert to Addison if he would not be able to land at F69, "it may be too dark for me." The pilot reported seeing the runway and radioed that he would attempt to land to the north. The tower asked the pilot if he was going around, but there was no response. The airplane impacted the side of a building and was consumed by the post-crash fire.
Date: November 25, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Near Buckeye
Type: Van’s RV-9
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
IN FLIGHT ENGINE FIRE
The aircraft made an emergency landing on Wickenburg Rd. at night because of a fire in the engine compartment. The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority responded and extinguished the fire. The extent of the damage was undetermined.
Date: November 26, 2023
Source: ASN
Location: Casa Grande
Type: Cessna 182G
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
IN FLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
The Cessna Skylane experienced a loss of engine power and landed in a ditch short of Runway 5 at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ). Damage to the aircraft was substantial.