Aviat Aircraft A-1B Husky
November 2, 2016, Geneva, Florida
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1100 Eastern time when it impacted a fence during a precautionary landing. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, about 10 minutes into an otherwise-normal the flight, the engine began to “run rough.” The pilot adjusted the power controls, but the engine started to backfire and continued to lose power. He made a spiraling descent from about 1000 feet agl and maneuvered the airplane to land on a paved area of a driving track. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence. The pilot stated the engine continued to operate throughout the landing and landing roll until the airplane struck the fence.
Van’s RV-10 Experimental
November 5, 2016, Dubois, Wyoming
At about 0756 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed during a post-impact fire following a loss of control shortly after takeoff. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A pilot-witness reported seeing the accident airplane’s right-side gull-wing door open immediately after liftoff. After the door opened, he saw the pilot reach for the fully open door with his right hand and heard a momentary reduction of engine power. The airplane descended momentarily before increasing in engine power and leveling off over the runway, with the pilot continuing to reach for the open cabin door at about 35 feet agl. The airplane’s left wing and nose dropped suddenly and it descended below his line of sight before he observed a large explosion.
Beech Model 76 Duchess
November 5, 2016, Davis, California
During the takeoff roll for a flight review, the instructor pulled the left engine mixture control to simulate an engine failure, but the pilot “froze” at the controls and the airplane veered left. The flight instructor attempted to fail the right engine via the right mixture control in order to regain directional control, but his hand came off the mixture control and the airplane exited the runway. During the runway excursion, the flight instructor “finally got [his] hand back on the right mixture and pulled it to idle cut-off.” Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Stinson L-5 Sentinel
November 6, 2016, San Marcos, Texas
At about 1222 Central time, the airplane nosed over during a forced landing. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot performed a go-around while attempting to landing, and the engine lost power during the initial climb. The pilot attempted to land on another runway, but the airplane rolled onto soft terrain between the runways. The left main gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
November 6, 2016, Englewood, Colorado
While en route at about 2500 feet agl in dark night visual conditions, multiple birds struck both wings and the cowling. The airplane had a “harsh rolling tendency to the right and reduced engine power.” The pilot declared an emergency with ATC and landed without further incident at an airport about three nautical miles away. The right wing sustained substantial damage.
Cessna T210 Turbo Centurion
November 06, 2016, Twentynine Palms, California
At about 0900 Pacific time, the airplane departed the runway after its right main landing gear collapsed during a precautionary landing. The solo private pilot was not injured but the airplane sustained substantial damage to its right wing and firewall. Visual conditions prevailed.
After takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear, but indicators failed to show the gear being stowed and the landing gear doors remained open. He extended the gear and operated the emergency gear extension handle, but did not receive an indication the gear was down and locked. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane departed the runway and struck a ditch, collapsing the nose landing gear and damaging the right wing.
Cessna 177B Cardinal
November 8, 2016, Hopkinton, Rhode Island
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing at about 1415 Eastern time. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
During cruise flight at about 1800 feet msl, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful and executed a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted two small trees before coming to rest, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to get fuel. Examination did not reveal any fuel in the compromised fuel tanks, nor was there any blighting of the grass or any other evidence of a fuel spill.
Beech Model 36 Bonanza
November 9, 2016, Ormond Beach, Florida
At about 1330 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions existed at the time of the accident.
According to law enforcement personnel, the pilot “thought a flight control cable had failed, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into wooded terrain.” Weather about five miles southeast of the accident site included wind from 030 degrees at five knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3200 feet and an overcast at 7000 feet.
North American Navion
November 10, 2016, Blairstown, New Jersey
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0915 Eastern time following a loss of control during engine startup. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to a mechanic who witnessed the accident, the airplane was supposed to be ferried for an annual inspection after major repairs. The ferry pilot was not available, however, and the owner/pilot elected to fly the airplane himself. After fueling the airplane and completing a preflight inspection, the pilot/owner started the engine, which immediately went to full power. The engine remained at full power and the airplane taxied at high speed into a tree. Examination revealed the throttle, propeller and mixture controls were all in the full-forward position.
Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP
November 11, 2016, Bethel, Arkansas
At about 1650 Alaska time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The solo commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the public aircraft operation.
The pilot later reported he was climbing out through about 800 feet agl when he heard and felt a momentary vibration and noted engine oil pressure read at zero psi. He made an immediate left turn back to the airport and declared an emergency with ATC. Shortly thereafter, the engine seized and the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot maneuvered to land in the tundra-covered terrain southwest of the airport. During the rollout, he felt multiple impacts, followed by the airplane skidding to the left. The nose and left main landing gear collapsed during the skid.
Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee 235
November 12, 2016, Taylor, Arizona
The airplane struck a berm at about 1640 Mountain time during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
While the student demonstrated an emergency descent and after descending through about 1300 feet agl, the instructor pushed the throttle forward but the manifold pressure gauge remained static, and the engine did not respond. He “pumped” the throttle, switched the fuel selector valve from the left to right tank, and set the fuel mixture to full rich, with no change. On final approach, the two noticed the berm and a fence obstructing their chosen landing area. The airplane landed hard, separating the nose and right main landing gear, and damaging the aft fuselage and right side of the stabilator.
Flight Design CTSW LSA
November 13, 2016, Port Allen, Louisiana
At about 1608 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an off-airport forced landing. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The student pilot reported he had climbed to about 850 feet agl when he experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power. He performed the emergency checklist for engine restart, but power was not restored. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain in a recently harvested sugar cane field and came to rest partially inverted, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. There was adequate fuel aboard, but no fuel spill, and no post-impact fire.
Cessna 152
November 13, 2016, Miami, Florida
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1400 Eastern time during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The two private pilots were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane was in cruise flight at about 2000 feet agl when the crew noted engine “roughness.” Oil temperature was “normal” but the engine oil pressure indication was “low.” The pilot on the controls turned the airplane towards the nearest airport, which was 18 miles away. Approximately a minute later, the engine stopped producing power, and the two selected a road for the forced landing. During the descent, an engine restart was attempted but was unsuccessful. The airplane touched down prior to the road on soft, wet ground, nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination revealed large cracks in the engine crankcase in the vicinity of the number 2 cylinder.
Beech Model 95-B55 Baron
November 14, 2016, Plattsburgh, New York
The flight instructor reported that during a full-feathered, single-engine practice instrument approach in visual conditions, the pilot extended the flaps and the airspeed dropped about 20-30 knots. He further reported that the pilot added power to the operating engine and the airplane “veered” to the left and “lost more altitude resulting in a stalled condition.” The flight instructor took control of the airplane, reduced power to idle on the operating engine and attempted to level the wings, but the airplane impacted the airport ramp area with “excessive vertical speed.”
Curtis JN4D Jenny Experimental
November 17, 2016, Williamson, Georgia
At 1809 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain shortly after takeoff. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The airline transport pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Dusk, visual conditions prevailed.
According to a witness, the airplane took off and appeared to be in a normal climb, the engine sounding “as it always did.” When it was over the departure end of the runway, the witness heard a loud backfire, followed by two “pops” that were not as loud. He then observed the airplane in a left-hand turn. A flicker of flame appeared from the forward left side of the fuselage that progressed into a “raging fire,” with an audible “whoomp” sound. The fire streamed back over the top and left side of the fuselage for about one-half the length of the airplane and persisted until the airplane disappeared behind a tree line and crashed.
Cessna 172N Skyhawk
November 18, 2016, Moss Beach, California
The airplane sustained substantial damage on impacting terrain and obstacles in a residential area at about 1120 Pacific time, following a loss of control while on final approach. The private pilot sustained serious injuries; the passenger was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported encountering light turbulence at about 500 feet agl on final approach with flaps fully extended and at 60 KIAS. He reduced the flap setting and increased power. He then encountered very strong turbulence, which caused the wings to rock back and forth, followed by a very sudden downward push and a steep bank to the right. Despite applying opposite control inputs and increasing power, the airplane continued in the descending right bank. Shortly, the pilot observed trees and houses in front of him and attempted to slow the airplane by reducing power and pulling back on the control yoke in an effort to minimize impact with terrain.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II
November 18, 2016, Elko, Nevada
At about 1920 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during initial climb. The pilot, two medical crewmembers and one patient sustained fatal injuries. Night visual conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan had been filed for the Part 135 medical transport flight.
A witness reported the airplane departed and, during its initial climb, made a left turn about 30 degrees from the runway heading, then stopped climbing and made an abrupt left bank and descended out of his line of sight. The airplane sustained extensive thermal damage from the post-crash fire. All major structural components of the airplane were located within the wreckage.
Ryan Navion A
November 19, 2016, New Gretna, New Jersey
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain, while maneuvering, at about 1902 Eastern time. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
Preliminary radar data reveal the accident flight proceeded on a relatively direct course until approximately 1849, when it encountered the leading edge of a cold front. During the following 13 minutes, the flight completed numerous course deviations, including three complete left circuits and two right circuits, before impacting wooded terrain. Weather observed about 14 miles southwest of the accident site at 1730 included wind from 290 degrees at 24 knots, gusting to 31 knots.
Piper PA-28-181 Archer II/III
November 22, 2016, Upland, California
At 0417 Pacific time, the airplane impacted mountainous terrain, sustaining substantial damage. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
Earlier, after takeoff, the accident pilot contacted ATC and requested flight following. He was assigned a discreet transponder code, and the airplane was radar identified. The pilot made a radio transmission that was unreadable at the same time as radar contact was lost. The wreckage was located on the south face of rising mountainous terrain 3.5 nm north of the departure airport at 2915 feet msl.
Beechcraft Model 200 Super King Air
November 23, 2016, Moorehead, Minnesota
The airplane impacted terrain at 1759 Central time during a missed approach. The pilot initiated a missed approach after losing visual reference with the runway environment during the final segment of a GPS instrument approach. The airplane impacted a field about 0.5 miles short of the intended runway. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries and five passengers were uninjured. The airplane received substantial damage. Night instrument conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand passenger flight.
