by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-February through mid-March. 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 past reporting period aviation safety has not been the best because of the number of accidents/incidents that have occurred. At least in all the occurrences nobody was injured. I can only hope things will improve as we go 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: February 15, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Pipistrel Alpha
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft ran off the runway while landing at Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) and went into the dirt between the two runways. Airport personnel assisted in towing the aircraft to the ramp. There was no reported damage.
Date: February 17, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: 4 NM East of PHX
Type: Bell B-407 Helicopter
Injuries: 4 Uninjured
FORCED LANDING
The Bell B407 declared an emergency while transitioning the PHX Class Bravo Airspace from the north to south. The pilot heard a loud bang and made a safe and successful emergency landing 4 NM east of the airport. Unable to establish radio communications, the pilot phoned PHX ATC and advised them of a safe landing. No damage or injuries were incurred.
Date: February 23, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 310
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
ENGINE FAILURE
The aircraft was inbound to Prescott from the north and reported they had a single engine failure and were unsuccessful in accomplishing an engine restart. An airport Alert II was initiated. The airplane made a safe landing and taxied to the North Air ramp. Airport personnel made a runway FOD check, and the Alert II was canceled.
Date: March 4, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Ak Chin (A39)
Type: T-211 Thorpedo LSA
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSE
The nose gear collapsed during the landing. The extent of damage incurred was unknown.
Date: March 6, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Ak Chin (A39)
Type: Piper Sportcruiser LSA
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
NOSE GEAR COLLAPSE
During the takeoff the Sportcruiser over-rotated. The pilot pushed the nose down which resulted in the nose gear striking the ground and collapsing, which also resulted in a prop strike. The resulting damage was determined to be substantial.
Date: March 9, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Type: CH-7ECA Citabria
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
During the landing roll out the Citabria left the runway surface and went into the runway safety area. The pilot regained control and taxied onto the connecting taxiway and to the parking area. There was no reported damage.
Date: March 11, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Near Chandler (CHD)
Type: Piper PA-28-160
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
ENGINE FAILURE
Shortly after the Piper took off from Chandler Airport (CHD) they lost engine power and landed in a field 6 NM southeast of the airport. There were no damages or injuries reported.
Date: March 13, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 182T
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
TIRE BLOW OUT
The Cessna was disabled on the runway when a tire blew out on landing. The runway was closed until the aircraft could be towed to parking. There were no injuries or damage.
Date: March 13, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Piper PA-46-350P
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The Piper Malibu was on an IFR flight from Tucson to Prescott, flew a visual approach, landed, and turned off the runway into the sod. Emergency vehicles met the Piper and it taxied to the FBO under its own power. No damage was reported.
Date: March 17, 2024
Source: FAA, ASN, NTSB
Location: Gila Bend (E63)
Type: Air Creation Twin Experimental Trike
Injuries: 1 Fatal 1 Serious Injury
INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL
The amateur built Air Creation Twin aircraft crashed at Gila Bend Municipal Airport under unknown circumstances.
Date: March 21, 2024
Source: ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08)
Type: Diamond DA49
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF
The Diamond departed Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for Coolidge to practice touch-and-go landings. During a takeoff the aircraft stalled and came down hard on the landing gear resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.