March 2, 2021, Johnstown, N.Y.
Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion
At about 0747 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its landing gear collapsed on a runway. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While in cruise, the pilot heard an unfamiliar noise that became increasingly louder and he diverted to a nearby airport. Shortly, he noted smoke in the cockpit, informed ATC and opened a window. On downwind for the divert airport, he performed a before-landing checklist and landed. During the rollout, the landing gear collapsed and he lost control. The pilot later reported he had visually verified the gear was in the extended position but failed to check the gear-down status lights. Examination revealed the landing gear’s hydraulic pump circuit breaker had tripped and a related hose was partially melted.
March 2, 2021, Grand Haven, Mich.
Cessna 210A Centurion
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1549 Central time during a forced landing following loss of engine power. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later reported a total loss of engine power shortly after departing a nearby airport. During the forced landing, substantial damage was sustained to both wings and the fuselage.
March 3, 2021, Lodi, Calif.
Cessna 150J
At about 1220 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing following engine failure. The flight instructor and the pilot were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot had recently purchased the accident airplane; this was his first flight with a new instructor. While in cruise at 3000 feet msl, they heard a sound like a gunshot and the propeller stopped rotating. The instructor took control while the pilot searched for a suitable place to land and attempted to restart the engine. They subsequently landed in a field with rough and uneven terrain, damaging the wings and tail.
March 4, 2021, Skwentna, Alaska
Cessna A185F Skywagon
The ski-equipped airplane was substantially damaged at about 1500 Alaska time when its right ski assembly failed shortly after landing. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
After takeoff from a remote frozen lake, the right rear check cable “came loose” from the fuselage attach fitting, allowing the right main landing gear ski to rotate to a nose-high position. A “very serious” vibration was noted in the right horizontal stabilizer and the pilot decided to return to the departure lake to land. During the landing on untracked snow, as the right ski was moving “into its normal landing position,” the airplane veered hard to the right. The right main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the right wing impacted snow.
In 2018, the ski manufacturer issued a service bulletin (SB) calling for inspection of the yoke assemblies for cracks and notified operators an upgraded component was available. According to the NTSB, the pilot “stated that he and his mechanic were unaware of the SB. He added that, if he would have known of the SB, he ‘would have been the first in line for the upgraded, beefed up yoke.’”
March 4, 2021, Purcellville, Va.
Beechcraft C23 Sundowner
At about 1510 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff. An observer later noted it appeared the airplane took off with a tailwind. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness heard the airplane take off from Runway 19. When she saw it, the airplane was “tilted to the left” as it descended into the trees. She heard the engine the entire time making “traditional engine noises.” The airplane struck several trees and came to rest in a heavily wooded area about 600 feet from the runway’s departure end. All major components were located at the accident site. Recorded weather about 13 miles southwest of the accident site at 1455 included wind from 310 degrees at 24 knots, gusting to 29 knots. The airport was equipped with two windsocks: one about 500 feet from the departure end of Runway 19 and another one beyond it.
March 6, 2021, Palestine, Texas
Beechcraft 35 Bonanza
The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1340 Central time during an off-airport landing following loss of engine power. The private pilot was seriously injured; the private pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was flying it home. While en route, the engine lost power and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a grass field, sustaining damage to both wings and the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered for subsequent examination.
March 9, 2021, Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Cessna 170A
At about 1215 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a precautionary off-airport landing. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane carried a communications radio but lacked a navigation receiver or a transponder. Instead, the pilot navigated via ded-reckoning and by following roads, with occasional reference to a sectional chart on his mobile phone, although a portable aviation GPS was available. Nearing his destination, the phone’s battery died and the pilot was unable to power up the portable GPS. He maintained heading and soon arrived over his destination but could not locate the airport. After several attempts to find the airport, the pilot estimated he had 10 minutes of fuel remaining. He selected a field and landed, but before coming to a stop, the main landing gear dug into the terrain and the airplane flipped onto its back. The pilot stated that the engine was running throughout the precautionary landing.
Examination revealed the airplane was equipped with a motorcycle battery, not one certified for aviation use. Nevertheless, testing of the airplane’s cigarette lighter demonstrated it was capable of powering either the phone or the portable GPS.
March 11, 2021, Franklin, N.C.
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1953 Eastern time when it ran off the departure end of the runway during an aborted takeoff attempt. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, pre-takeoff operations were normal. During the takeoff attempt, acceleration “lagged” at around 92 knots so he retarded both throttles and applied maximum braking. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway onto grass, continued down a slope and then through a fence before coming to rest. All occupants exited the airplane before a post-crash fire ignited. Examination revealed tire skid marks beginning around 1200 feet from the runway end.
March 15, 2021, Leadore, Idaho
Cessna T210M Turbo Centurion
At about 1030 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged in an apparent runway overrun. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Shortly after landing on Runway 29, the pilot realized the “brakes were not effective.” The airplane veered right off the runway near the departure end and continued across airport property. It impacted a small berm and came to rest near a building. Examination revealed a pair of skid marks consistent with braking was found on the runway about 700 feet from the departure end. The skid marks continued off the runway and traveled through low sagebrush, over a small berm, through a barbed wire fence and ended near the wreckage, which was about 420 feet from the departure end of the runway.
March 15, 2021, Monroe, Ga.
Socata MS.894A Rallye
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1514 Eastern time when its engine cowling separated. The solo pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
While level at 2500 feet msl, the engine cowling suddenly separated and struck the right side of the windscreen, leaving a large hole. The pilot struggled to regain control and determined the airplane was not able to maintain level flight, even with full engine power. The pilot performed an off-airport landing to a field, where the airplane struck trees during the landing roll. The engine cowling was located near where the airplane touched down. The pilot believed that the cowling had been lodged on the empennage and only dislodged when he landed. The pilot later advised Socata Rallye Service Bulletin 107 and AD 76-11-02, both regarding the cowling, had been complied with.
March 15, 2021, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Beechcraft B36TC Turbo Bonanza
At about 1459 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with a vehicle and the ground shortly after takeoff as a result of apparent engine failure. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger in the airplane and a passenger in the vehicle were fatally injured. The vehicle driver sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness heard the engine run-up and stated it was “sputtering, ‘like rough idle.’” He heard the propeller being cycled “a few times” and engine backfires when power was increased during each sequence.” Another witness observed the airplane in a “very low climb at a ‘very slow rate.’” The witness diverted his attention, and then heard the airplane’s engine suddenly fail completely. At that point, the airplane was about 100 to 200 feet past the departure end of the runway and at less than 300 feet agl. The airplane entered a “gentle” right bank at the same pitch attitude, then “stalled,” spun and pitched nose-down before striking the vehicle and terrain. Video recordings reveal a post-crash fire began “about two seconds after the right wing contacted the ground.”
March 22, 2021, Valparaiso, Ind.
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1230 Central daylight time when it landed short of the runway after both engines lost power. The two commercial pilots were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While in cruise after 2.6 flight hours, the left engine lost power and was feathered, and the flight diverted to a nearby airport. While the airplane was on final to the divert airport, the right engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing to a field, which damaged the fuselage. Examination revealed both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. When each engine lost power, the pilots recalled the respective fuel selector was in the auxiliary tank position and the respective fuel gauge indicated more than a half tank of fuel remained.
March 23, 2021, Everett, Wash.
Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
At about 0900 Pacific time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it lost engine power shortly after takeoff. The solo pilot sustained minor injuries. Weather conditions were not reported.
During the preflight, the pilot attempted to add fuel but discovered the tanks were nearly full. Takeoff and initial climb were normal. Seconds later, with the airplane at about 100 feet agl, the engine began sputtering and the pilot made a left turn to land on the parallel runway. At that point, the engine lost all power and he was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane collided with trees and came to rest about 500 feet east of the threshold for Runway 34L.
March 24, 2021, Animas, N.M.
Mooney M20B
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0130 Mountain time after ATC lost radio and radar contact with its pilot while en route. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The flight encountered instrument conditions; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
While in cruise flight, the pilot reported a loss of engine power and that they were experiencing light rime icing. An Alert Notice was issued when ATC lost contact with the airplane, which was later found by local law enforcement after it came to rest in mountainous terrain at about 5010 feet elevation.
March 26, 2021, Bridgeport, Texas
Beech 35 Bonanza
At 1527 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain short of the runway while conducting a simulated engine-out approach. The pilot and flight examiner were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed; the flight’s purpose was to conduct a flight review.
After topping the fuel tanks and taking off, the two pilots simulated a loss of engine power and made a return to the departure airport. The pilot stated they encountered a strong downdraft while turning from base to final, but he did not recall what happened after that. A witness said the airplane’s nose was “up in the air” and its tail “barely cleared the power lines along the highway.” After crossing the road, the nose lifted higher and the airplane banked right before hitting trees and descending out of sight.
March 27, 2021, Justin, Texas
Piper J3C-65 Cub
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1600 Central time when it lost engine power while landing. The solo pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later reported he had turned for his approach to a private landing strip when the engine lost power. The pilot then attempted to land the airplane in a wheat field, but it impacted trees and came to rest in a stand of trees on the edge of a field. Both wings were damaged. An FAA inspector noted fuel was present in the airplane.
March 28, 2021, Marana, Ariz.
Cirrus Design SR22
At about 1428 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing following complete loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later reported that, while en route, the airplane experienced heavy vibrations and moments later a complete loss of engine power. He began maneuvering toward a nearby airport but determined he did not have the altitude. He attempted to deploy the airframe parachute to no avail. He then selected a dirt road and made an off-airport landing; the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing contacted the ground. Engine oil was streaked down both sides of the cowling.
March 29, 2021, Yacolt, Wash.
Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1647 Pacific time when its pilot made a forced landing after the engine lost power. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Instrument conditions were present; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
While in cruise at about 8000 feet msl, the engine started to run rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat and requested a lower altitude from ATC but the engine was running worse. While being vectored to the nearest airport, the airplane exited instrument conditions and the pilot elected to make a forced landing in a nearby clearing but impacted several trees. An Alert Notice was issued and the accident site was located later that evening by U.S. Navy SAR personnel.
