by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-September through mid-October. The intent is to use the following detailed accident/incident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers that would help pilots learn from other pilots’ mistakes and be able to take the necessary action to prevent them from having similar occurrences.
The number of accidents/Incidents are not as low as we would like, but the really good news is there weren’t any fatalities reported. We all need to continue to prevent accidents, and I’m certain these high temperatures we have been experiencing may have kept a lot of people from flying. If you’re feeling rusty after the slow, hot summer, fly with an instructor first to freshen your skills
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 18, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Near AZ09
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
INFLIGHT ENGINE FAILURE
Due to an inflight engine failure, the Cessna 172 made a safe emergency landing in a field near the Big Chino Airstrip (AZ09). There was no reported damage.
Date: September 23, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Northeast of Benson
Type: Diamond DA42 NG Twin Star
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
EMERGENCY LANDING
The aircraft departed Tucson International, and the pilot declared an emergency when they lost the back door while in flight. They were enroute to San Angelo, Texas, and were northeast of Benson at 11,100 MSL when they lost the door. The pilot immediately diverted to Benson Municipal Airport (E95) and made a safe landing.
Date: September 26, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Cessna 182TR
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Private Pilot
GEAR UP LANDING
The pilot reported an issue with the nose gear prior to landing. After flying a low approach for a landing gear position verification from ATC, they then made a gear-up landing. The extent of damage was assessed to be minor.
Date: September 28, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: 18 NM East of Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
Type: Piper PA-28-180
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
INFLIGHT ENGINE FAILURE
Approximately 18 NM northeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the Piper lost oil pressure, and engine power, and made a landing in an alfalfa field in the vicinity of Fort McDowell. It was an instructional flight out of Mesa Falcon Field.
Date: October 1, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP)
Type: Eurocopter AS350B2 (Helicopter)
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF
A Eurocopter Ecureuil experienced a loss of engine power and made a forced landing after takeoff from Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport.
Date: October 2, 2024
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Diamond DA20-C2 Eclipse
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Comm/CFI Pilot
HARD LANDING
The aircraft made a hard landing and suffered a nose gear collapse while landing at Falcon Field.
Date: October 3, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Pipistrel Alpha
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
PROP STRIKE
The Pipistrel had a prop strike during landing. The extent of damage, other than the prop, was unknown.
Date: October 3, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson International (TUS)
Type: Amateur Built Experimental
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
LOSS OF BRAKES
The airplane landed, had a brake failure, and rolled through the runway overrun, and into the grass. There was no damage to the airport or aircraft reported.
Date: October 8, 2024
Source: APA, ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Near Marana
Type: Piper PA-36-285 Pawnee
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot: Commercial Pilot
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
The single-engine, aerial application Piper Pawnee lost power and sustained substantial damage after impact with residential structures and terrain in Marana.
Date: October 8, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Glendale Airport (GEU)
Type: Carbon Cub CCK1865
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot: Commercial Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While landing, the aircraft veered off the runway and into the grass. The damage to the aircraft was reported to be minor.
Date: October 10, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Buckeye Airport (BXK)
Type: Bellanca 17-30A
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Commercial Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
During landing, the aircraft had a landing gear failure went off the runway and struck a runway light, causing damage to the left wing, left landing gear, and aileron, and struck a runway light. The full extent of the damage was unknown.
Date: October 17, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Wittman, AZ
Type: Cameron A275 Balloon
Injuries: 9 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certificate Unknown
STRUCK GROUND OBJECT
The balloon struck power lines and a power pole while landing.