By Jim Timm 
September 2015
The following are the preliminary NTSB reports of aviation accidents that have occurred in Arizona from late July thru late August. When all detailed accident information becomes available, we will attempt to use this information to develop safety programs and briefings to help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and prevent similar accidents from happening to them.
From a flight safety standpoint, this reporting period has continued to be a good one in that the number of reported accidents continue to be down, and again, there were no serious injuries or fatalities this past reporting period. In the past reporting period there were only two accidents reported by the NTSB. A delayed detailed report on the Long EZ that had an accident last period at Show Low is included in this report. The two accidents that occurred in this last reporting period were both helicopter accidents and unfortunately, both accident reports were devoid of details, and it is likely both were relatively minor. Fatal and often serious accidents are normally reported in a timely manner and contain preliminary details. I hope we can continue this trend for the rest of the year.
Based on information available when this summary was prepared, the reported accidents this reporting period are as follows:
Accident Date: Friday, June 26, 2015
Report Dated 8/12/15
Location: Show Low
Aircraft Type: Long EZ (Experimental)
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
LANDING GEAR FAILURE - LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The pilot reported that during the cruise phase of a cross country flight, the oil pressure and oil
temperature indicator readings dropped to zero. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airfield. The airplane touched down on the runway and the right main landing gear leg fractured just above the wheel attachment and the wheel separated from the airplane. The main landing gear leg collapsed and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the maintenance logbook entries, the right main landing gear leg had fractured at the point of a previous repair. The airplane had larger tires and brakes installed after the time of the repair to the landing gear leg.
The cause of the fluctuations in the oil temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge was not the subject of this investigation. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions, aside from the gauge indications, that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Location: Tucson
Aircraft Type: Eurocopter AS350 B2 ECUREUIL
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Accident Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Location: Prescott
Aircraft Type: Robinson Helicopter Company R22
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE