by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-June through mid-July. 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.
Because we didn’t have a BOD meeting in July, because just about everyone was attending EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh, this report may be a bit abbreviated in the details provided.
The number of accidents/Incidents has gone down very slightly, but it could be better. The really good news is that there weren’t any fatalities reported the past period, and in all the other occurrences nobody was seriously injured. Things could have been better, and we all do need to prevent accidents.
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: June 16, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Chandler (CHD)
Type: Beech King Air
Injuries: Unreported Uninjured
Pilot: Certification Unreported
BIRD STRIKE
During the landing they hit a bird on the runway, and after taxiing to parking, damage was noted to the right wing flap. Because damage was slight enough, and did not require immediate repair, they later departed for Show Low.
Date: June 17, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot: Private Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL TAKING OFF
While the Cessna was performing touch and go landings at Prescott, the pilot saw a flock of birds on the runway and aborted the takeoff. In the process the pilot veered off the runway and into a drainage ditch. The damage to the aircraft was determined to be substantial.
Date: June 18, 2024
Source: ASN, NTSB
Location: North of Page (PGA)
Type: Beechcraft Baron
Injuries: Uninjured Unreported
Pilot: Certification Unreported
PRECAUTIONAR LANDING
The Pressurized Beech Baron had departed Las Vegas and was headed to Denver Centennial Airport when they experienced a fracture of the windshield Northeast of Page at FL210. They diverted to Page and made a safe landing.
Date: June 19, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 180
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot: Private Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Cessna landed and ran off the runway. The tower called an alert, but there was no damage. The alert was canceled, and the aircraft taxied to parking.
Date: June 23, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Partenania P-68 (Twin Engine Aircraft)
Injuries: 2 uninjured
Pilot: Commercial (No Multi Engine Rating)
BIRD STRIKE
The Partenavia struck a bird while taking off but aborted the takeoff and safely landed on the same runway. There was a hole in the Plexiglas nose, but the total extent of damage was unknown.
Date: July 2, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: Unreported Uninjured
Pilot: Certification Unreported
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
During the landing the Piper went off the runway, and there was no damage to the aircraft or airport property.
Date: July 6, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Williams, AZ
Type: C-100 LTA Balloon
Injuries: 3 Minor injuries
Pilot: Student Pilot
DAMAGE FROM EXCESSIVE WIND
The C-100 Balloon was not intended for flight, but was being inflated for a Trade Show, and was caught by a wind gust, and was dragged approximately 200 yards striking multiple light poles and a parked car.
Date: July 7, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Lake Havasu (HII)
Type: Sling LSA
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Commercial/CFI (LSA)
LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE
The pilot reported a loss of fuel pressure and power and made a forced landing in the desert near Lake Havasu. The extent of damage was unknown.
Date: July 9, 2024
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: MD530F Helicopter
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot: Certification Unreported
HARD LANDING
The helicopter was practicing auto-rotations at Mesa Falcon Field when it landed hard and rolled over, severing the tail. The damage was substantial.
Date: July 13, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Cottonwood
Type: MD500E Helicopter
Injuries: 4 Uninjured
Pilot: Pilot Certification Unknown
LOST A LANDING SKID
The helicopter lost a skid and landed with only one skid and rolled on its side causing extensive damage.