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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.

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