by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-October thrugh mid-November. 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 not very good this time. The number of occurrences was a bit high, but of most concern was an accident that claimed the lives of five persons, four in the aircraft and one in a passing vehicle. We all need to continue to do what we can to prevent accidents, and these more pleasant temperatures we have been enjoying may also encourage more people to fly.
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: October 12, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Cessna 414
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Commercial Pilot
FLAT TIRE
During high-speed taxing on the runway the aircraft got a flat tire causing damage to the fender. The aircraft was towed back to the parking ramp without further incident. The damage was minor.
Date: October 17 , 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: GlaStar LSA
Injuries: UNK
ATP/CFI Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While doing touch and goes the aircraft ground looped and blew out a main tire. No other aircraft were involved.
Date: October 19 , 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: 18 NM East of Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Private Pilot
FUEL STARVATION
Because of the engine issues a gear up landing was made on a road 18 NM east of Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA). The damage to the prop and wing was assessed to be minor.
Date: October 23, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Scottsdale (SDL)
Type: Cessna 441 Conquest II
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Private Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF
On departure the aircraft went off the runway, and into some rocks. The damage was assessed to be minor.
Date: October 27, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Sait George, Utah
Type: Cirrus SR20 G6
Injuries: 3 Minor Injuries
Private Pilot
OFF AIRPORT LANDING
After departing Saint George Municipal Airport (SGU) the Cirrus made an off-airport landing about 5 mi south of the airport (in Arizona), and the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire. They had refueled at Saint George, and the airplane was unable to establish a climb after takeoff, and it appeared the pilot was attempting to return to Saint George.
Date: October 31, 2024
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Prescott
Type: Piper PA-28-300 Cherokee Six
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Private Pilot
ENGINE FIRE
The aircraft crashed in a field three miles east of Prescott (PRC) due to an engine fire and smoke in the cockpit.
Date: November 4, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Scottsdale (SDL)
Type: Aviat S-2C (Pitts Airplane)
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
ATP Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL
The aircraft went off the runway and into the gravel. Airport operations helped remove it from the gravel, and no damage was incurred.
Date: November 5, 2024
Source: APA, ASN, FAA, NTSB
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Honda HA-420 Honda Jet
Injuries: 5 Fatalities 1 Serious Injury
Private Pilot
OVER RAN RUNWAY
A Honda Jet was destroyed when it crashed during an aborted takeoff attempt at Mesa Falcon Field Airport (FFZ).
Four occupants of the aircraft, and the driver of a vehicle on Greenfield Rd. perished, and a person on the airplane was seriously injured. ADS-B data suggests the airplane had accelerated to about 133 knots groundspeed before it aborted the takeoff roughly 3400 ft down the runway. The airplane was unable to stop, overrun the end of the runway, and went through the airport perimeter fence before crashing into a vehicle on North Greenfield Road, and a post-crash fire ensued. The estimated distance between the end of the departure runway and the aircraft final resting position was 700 ft.
Date: November 5, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA- ???
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Student Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The student landed and went off the runway into the unpaved area between the runways. Airport Operations towed the aircraft to parking, and no damage was reported to either the aircraft or airport.
Date: November 7, 2024
Source: FAA
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
TAXIED INTO FENCE
While taxing in a non-movement area the Cessna’s right wing struck a fence and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Date: November 8, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Casa Grande (CGZ)
Type: Piper PA-44-180
Injuries: 2 Uninjured Pilot Certification unknown
GEAR UP LANDING
The Piper Seminole made a gear up landing, and the damage was minor.
Date: November 9, 2024
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Cessna T240 (Columbia 400)
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
RUNWAY EXCURSION
A major portion of the runway was closed, but the Cessna Columbia elected to land on the short open portion of the runway. However, the aircraft rolled into the closed portion of the runway impacting runway lights. The resultant damage was minor in nature.
Date: November 17, 2024
Source: ASN
Location: Near Cordes Lakes
Type: Cessna 172L
Injuries: 2 Minor Injuries
Pilot Certification Unknown
INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER
The aircraft departed Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) and crashed during an attempted forced landing following an inflight loss of engine power near Cordes Lakes.