by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that occurred in Arizona from mid-January through February. 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 past reporting period aviation safety may not have been the greatest because of the rather large number of accidents/incidents that had occurred. At least in the occurrences reported, nobody got hurt. Apparently, we are not getting the new year off to as good of a start as we would have liked, but I can only hope things will improve from this point forward.
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: January 13, 2024
Source: ASN, NTSB
Location: Near Colorado City
Type: Piper PA 28-181
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
While on a personal flight, the pilot of the Piper Archer reported that after they departed Colorado City Municipal Airport (AZC), he conducted a practice RNAV instrumental approach to the Kanab Municipal Airport and executed the published missed approach. While ascending through about 8,000 ft, the engine started vibrating and producing a loud “clunking” noise.
As an attempt to troubleshoot the rough running engine, the pilot applied carburetor heat which made the engine run more erratically. As he turned the carburetor heat off, smoke entered the cockpit, and he decided to shut the engine down by retarding the mixture to idle cutoff and moving the throttle to idle. The pilot established best glide airspeed, and initiated a turn to the northwest while he began to select the best place to land. During the landing roll, the nose wheel landing gear sheared off and the left wingtip struck the ground resulting in substantial damage.
Date: January 13, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA29-180
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
GROUND ENGINE FIRE
The Pilot was performing a preflight check in the run-up area and noticed smoke. He returned to the parking area outside of the maintenance hangar and the engine caught fire. The extent of damage was unknown. There was no intent to conduct a flight.
Date: January 24, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
BIRD STRIKE
During the landing roll-out the aircraft hit a small bird. The aircraft taxied to the ramp without further incident, and the damage was found to be minor.
Date: January 25, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Scottsdale (SDL)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
After touchdown the aircraft slid off the runway causing a prop strike. The damage was determined to be minor.
Date: January 28, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Near Marana (AVQ)
Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
INFLIGHT ELECTRICAL FIRE
The Cessna 208B was on a low-level survey operation out of Cochise County Airport (P33), Wilcox. Three hours into the flight, a quiet squealing was heard which lasted for 10-15 seconds. The captain noticed the noise and mentioned it, but at the time it was inaudible to the first officer (FO). At about the same time the noise stopped, smoke was seen coming from in front of the glare shield, and a terrible odor was smelt. The FO first noticed the smoke, and then the captain. Drill actions were followed for an Electrical Fire. 10-15 seconds later, the smoke stopped, and cleared over the next minute or so. The decision was made to return to base, P33, with a reduced electrical load. Tucson Departure was informed of a systems issue, and VFR Flight Following to P33 was requested.
Date: January 30, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Mooney M-20C
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
HIT OTHER AIRCRAFT WHILE TAXIING
While taxiing after landing, the Mooney’s left wing struck the tails of two parked aircraft. The extent of damage to the three aircraft was unknown.
Date: February 1, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Cessna landed and exited the runway edge. The pilot said they had a left crosswind, and then an immediate right crosswind that sent them off the left side of the runway. There was no damage to the runway, and a mechanic stated there was no damage to the aircraft.
Date: February 4, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LOOSE COWL SCREW
The Cessna aborted its takeoff roll when an engine cowl screw came off, and struck the windshield. A FOD check found the screw on the runway, and the windshield damage was determined to be minor.
Date: February 10, 2024
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Near Goodyear (GYR)
Type: Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
Shortly after departing Glendale Airport (GEU) the Skyhawk experienced a loss of power, and fluctuating oil pressure. He made a forced landing near Goodyear Airport (GYR), landing in a residential area, striking several cacti and a parked vehicle. Fuel was noted leaking from the damaged aircraft.
Date: February 11, 2024
Source: APA Member, FAA Incident
Location: Ak Chin Airport (A39)
Type: Bonanza B35
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
An APA member noted the single paved runway at Ak Chin was closed mid day because a “V” tail Bonanza had made a landing with the gear retracted, and it was sitting half off the runway about midfield.
Date: February 14, 2024
Source: APA Member, ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Kitfox IV
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Experimental aircraft sustained substantial damage subsequent to a runway excursion during a “first flight” landing at Falcon Field Airport (FFZ).
Date: February 14, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Cessna R182
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
GEAR UP LANDING
The Cessna landed gear up at Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT). The extent of the damage was undetermined.