by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from April through May. We hope to use the following detailed accident/incident 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.
The Accident/Incident report is about the same length as last time, and the number of FAA reported incidents still comprises about half of the report.
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 inclusive information source should suit 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: April 8, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Douglas
Type: MQ-35 UAS (An Unmaned UAV)
Injuries: 0 Injured
Pilot Certification Not Required
ENGINE STOPPED
While flying at 1500 feet the engine stopped, the pilot maintained control, and the UAS came down at a steep angle and was substantially damaged.
Date: April 11, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Student Pilot
HARD LANDING
The student made a hard landing and had a prop strike.
Date: April 12, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft went off the pavement into the dirt while exiting the runway, and the aircraft was towed to the ramp.
Date: April 12, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Piper ran off the runway into the dirt while landing, and the aircraft was towed to parking.
Date: April 17, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Near Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: EC130H
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
OFF AIRPORT LANDING
The aircraft is a C-130 Hercules that the Air Force has highly modified to be an electronic attack aircraft intended to disrupt enemy communications and carry out electronic attacks. It made a precautionary off airport landing 13 miles southeast of Gateway because of a mechanical issue and a warning light indication.
Date: April 18 , 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
Type: Beechcraft Primer I Business Jet
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft had braking issues landing and went off the end of the runway into some rocks. The damage was minor.
Date: April 19, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
ATP/CFI Pilot.
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While landing, the aircraft went off the runway between the exit taxiways, and crossed a main taxiway, and came to rest on the ramp. The aircraft sustained a flat tire and broke an airport light.
Date: May 1, 2025
Source: ASN, FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Rutan Long-EZ
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
When the aircraft was landing it veered off the runway and struck a runway sign causing substantial damage.
Date: May 2, 2025
Source: FAA Incident (It was declared an incident because there was no damage to the airplane.)
Location : Eloy (E60)
Type : Parachute Jumper
Injuries: 1 Fatality
No Pilot Certification Required
NO PARACHUTE
The parachute jumper did not have his parachute deploy.
Date: May 4, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway (IWA)
Type: Bellanca Viking BL17-31A
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
ATP Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Bellanca landed, and went off the runway, and then continued to taxi to parking. There was no reported damage.
Date: May 15, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Minor Injury
Pilot Certification Unknown
LANDING GEAR FAILURE
The nose gear collapsed, and broke off on touchdown, and the damage was minor.
Date: May 21, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Tolleson (Next to Phoenix)
Type: Amazon MK30 Drone
Injuries: No Injuries
No Pilot Involved
LOSS OF POWER
After losing power, the Amazon drone made a controlled forced landing on the front lawn of a residence in Tolleson.
Date: May 23, 2025
Source: Member, Media
Location: Near Goodyear Airport (GYR)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER
The airplane took off from Goodyear Airport and shortly after takeoff the aircraft lost power due to a carburetor issue and made a successful landing on a dirt road without any damage.