by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents/incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid-July through the end of August.
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 a similar occurrence.
The Accident/Incident report is a bit shorter than usual, and it covers the five accident/incidents reported for this period.
In continuing with the expanded scope of this report, we’re using information from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), NTSB, FAA and APA Members. Hopefully the information from these sources will 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: July 26, 2026
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Buckeye Airport (BXK)
Type: Cirrus SR20
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Info: Private Pilot
OVERRAN THE RUNWAY
During landing the airplane rolled off the end of the runway into the dirt.
Date: August 1, 2026
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)
Type: Zenith 601XL
Injuries: 1Uninjured
Pilot Info: Comm. Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Aircraft went off the runway because of an improper flap selection for the cross wind.
Date: August 9, 2026
Source: ASN
Location: Sells Airport (E78)
Type: Cirrus SR22T
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Info: No Pilot Information
STRUCK AN ANIMAL
The aircraft struck a wildlife animal while landing.
Date: August 10, 2026
Source: ASN
Location: Near Payson
Type: Glasair Sportsman 2+2
Injuries: 2 Fatalities
Pilot Info: No Pilot Information
LOSS OF CONTROL
The aircraft departed Payson airport and crashed under unknown circumstances in a remote area near Payson.
Date: August 10, 2026
Source: ASN
Location: Mesa-Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Cessna 172 R
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Info: No Pilot Information
SRUCK A TAXIWAY LIGHT
The aircraft landed, and while exiting the runway, struck a taxiway light.