July 2, 2022, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
At about 0829 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it failed to gain altitude after takeoff and apparently stalled before contacting terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the passenger was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the airplane did not perform as it normally would. As it climbed above nearby houses, airspeed and altitude began to decrease. He began a right turn, lowering the nose to remain under transmission lines, but the airplane seemed to “fall out of the sky.” It impacted the ground and slid to a stop, damaging both wings and the fuselage. Witnesses observed the airplane flying low, not climbing and in a right turn before it impacted the ground.
July 2, 2022, St. Jacob, Ill.
Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1135 Central time when it contacted terrain shortly after takeoff, following an apparent engine failure. The airline transport pilot received serious injuries, and a private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness observed the airplane make several takeoff and landings. He heard the airplane taking off again and said the “engine started to sputter right after it lost power, in and out couple of times.” The right wing then dropped down, and the airplane started to rotate clockwise as viewed from above. The airplane impacted terrain near the departure end of the runway.
July 3, 2022, Aurora, Colo.
Van’s RV-6 Experimental
At about 0735 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when the engine lost power shortly after takeoff and it came to rest in a nearby field. The pilot was not injured while the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The airplane reportedly had 35 gallons of fuel aboard for the planned cross-country flight. Shortly after takeoff from Runway 26, the pilot began a left turn when the engine lost power. After informing ATC of the problem, he was cleared to land on Runway 8, but he determined the airplane could not reach it. Instead, the pilot landed straight ahead in a flat cornfield.
July 3, 2022, Boulder CIty, Nev.
Extra EA-300/L
The airplane was destroyed at about 0849 Pacific time when it reportedly stalled and spun while maneuvering. The solo pilot was fatally injured.
Retrieved ADS-B data show the accident airplane taking off at about 0844 and climbing on an east-southeast track to about 4150 feet msl. Four minutes later, the airplane was in a descent and accelerating. It subsequently impacted desert terrain with an elevation of about 2050 feet msl. A witness reported the pilot planned to overfly their location. The airplane flew over the area at a low altitude and then climbed, turned back and made a second pass. After a climbing turn, the airplane nosed over, appeared to enter a spin and spiraled to the ground.
July 3, 2022, Findlay, Ohio
Cub Crafters CC11-160
At about 0930 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane had been involved in an accident in 2020. The pilot subsequently purchased the airplane and made extensive repairs. The accident flight was the first since the repairs were completed.
The pilot performed a run-up without issue and operated the electric pitch trim to a full nose-up position as indicated on the primary flight display (PFD), and then repositioned it to the takeoff position and began the takeoff roll. At liftoff, control pressures felt “really heavy” and he aborted the takeoff. The airplane subsequently nosed over “slowly.” Examination revealed both the pitch trim control surface and the PFD indication were consistent with a full nose-down setting.
July 3, 2022, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six
The airplane was destroyed at 2244 Central time when it landed short of the intended runway. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. A pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
According to ADS-B data, the flight took off from Arkansas about 2145 and flew direct to its planned destination, entering the traffic pattern on a left base leg for Runway 17 and turning final about 1.5 miles from the runway. The final ADS-B data point was at 2243:45, when the airplane was about 0.42 miles from the runway threshold. The airplane impacted trees and terrain, leaving the outboard four-foot-long section of the right wing suspended in a tree at about 50 feet agl. The right wingtip was resting on the ground near the tree.
July 4, 2022, Akron, Ohio
Cessna 172M Skyhawk
At about 1901 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged in an off-airport landing after its fuel apparently was exhausted. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured.
After a fuel stop in Pennsylvania, the airplane took off at 1627 and climbed to about 4500 feet msl and flew westerly for about two hours and 15 minutes before starting a gradual descent 40 miles east of its destination. According to the passenger, the flight was uneventful until “all of a sudden, everything got quiet.” The pilot told her, “We’re out of fuel,” and informed ATC. The airplane came to rest in a parking lot 0.9 nm short of a runway. The airport manager at the fuel stop observed the refueling and believed the pilot “topped off both tanks.” The airplane had about 3.9 hours of endurance with 38 gallons of usable fuel.
July 10, 2022, Rapid City, S.D.
Piper PA-24-260 Comanche 260
The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1810 Mountain time when it was landed off-airport following a complete loss of engine power. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported he had planned for a 30-minute flight, and there were 60 gallons of fuel aboard. While in cruise at about 6000 feet msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot declared an emergency with ATC and turned back to the departure airport. He switched fuel tanks and attempted multiple engine restarts, but power could not be restored. Unable to reach a runway, he executed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane bounced and the right main landing gear collapsed before coming to rest upright. The pilot stated that the airplane had undergone an annual inspection about two days before the accident flight.
July 13, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
At about 1852 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a windshear encounter. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the FAR Part 135 cargo flight, which operated on an IFR flight plan.
The pilot later said he encountered windshear during the landing flare and was unable to maintain directional control. He executed a go-around. After the airplane climbed to about 30 feet agl, it encountered a downdraft that pushed the airplane down toward the runway. It subsequently impacted terrain off the right side of the runway, in a left-wing-low attitude. Two minutes after the accident, peak wind gusts of 48 knots were reported at the airport. Convective activity was being observed on radar.
July 14, 2022, Buffalo, Wyo.
Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion
The airplane was destroyed at about 1231 Mountain time when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
Recorded ADS-B data show the airplane departed Powell, Wyo., and proceeded southeasterly while climbing to 17,450 feet msl, where it remained for nine minutes and 17 seconds. It then descended to 15,400 feet msl for about 12 seconds. The airplane quickly climbed to 15,575 feet msl, followed by a descent to 14,500 feet. The ADS-B data ended when it was about 0.46 miles northwest of the accident site.
July 14, 2022, Russell, Penn.
Flightstar II SC Experimental
At about 1940 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it failed to climb after takeoff. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured; the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The turf runway was 1650 feet long, with an upward slope. A witness observed the airplane turn left toward trees immediately after takeoff. It did not appear to be climbing. The airplane passed through the trees then disappeared. The passenger who was seated in the right seat later said, “We tried to make it over the trees, and we hit a tree. It didn’t climb like it normally does.”
July 15, 2022, Monticello, N.Y.
Cessna T210F Turbo Centurion
The airplane was destroyed at 1245 Eastern time in an off-field landing following engine failure, The solo pilot was not injured.
After a demonstration flight for a potential buyer, the solo pilot was headed back to the airplane’s base on his third flight of the day. After beginning a descent, the engine began losing power and “making noises.” The pilot estimated 10 gallons of fuel in each tank, and verified power settings. He switched fuel tanks, but the engine continued to lose power.
As he began looking for a place to land, the pilot heard what sounded like an “explosion” from the engine. The oil service door blew open and began spewing oil and smoke, covering the windscreen. Smoke was entering the cabin. The pilot selected the flaps and landing gear down but did not have time to verify their position. Approaching an open field at about 200 feet agl, he observed high-voltage powerlines crossing the field and decided to land on a road instead. A post-crash fire ensued.
Examination revealed a large section of the engine crankcase was missing from the forward left side. The #6 connecting rod was lying on top of the engine, and the crankshaft and camshaft were fractured.
July 15, 2022, Shelby, Mich.
Cessna 210C Centurion
At about 1815 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; the non-instrument-rated private pilot did not file a flight plan for the 144-nm trip.
Two pilot-rated witnesses observed the airplane depart. One reported the ceiling was no higher than 100 feet while the other observed the airplane enter instrument conditions as it crossed a road about 1300 feet past the departure end of the runway. Both witnesses reported poor visibility and rain.
Another witness, who owned the land where the airplane crashed, heard a “big roar outside” followed by a “big bang.” The accident site was about 1.5 nm southeast of the departure airport.
July 16, 2022, Riverdale, Neb.
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1620 Central time when it descended into a corn field after at least one engine failed during an attempted go-around. The two pilots and two passengers were uninjured. A third passenger sustained minor injuries.
According to the left-seated private pilot, the airplane had 110 gallons of fuel aboard as it departed on the one-hour flight. While maneuvering to land, he decided to go around, increased power and retracted the landing gear. As the throttles were opened, the left engine lost power and the airplane descended into a corn field.
The right-seated pilot later reported both engines sputtered “like fuel exhaustion” on short final. He estimated the airplane had about 80 gallons of fuel remaining when power was lost.
Examination revealed the left tip/main fuel tank had separated from the airplane during the impact and was empty. The right tip/main contained about one gallon of fuel, and the right auxiliary tank contained about five gallons. The left auxiliary and nacelle tanks were empty.
July 16, 2022, San Marcos, Calif.
Socata TB-21 Trinidad TC
At 1817 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was landed on a road following a partial engine-power loss. The pilot and passenger were not injured; two people on the ground suffered minor injuries.
The pilot picked up the airplane following an annual inspection and added fuel for a total of about 56 gallons aboard. He then flew around the pattern and landed, shutdown and then picked up a passenger for a cross-country flight to reposition the airplane. Thirty minutes after departure and while in cruise at 6500 feet msl, the engine lost partial power. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport but was forced to land on a road when the flight could not reach the runway. The airplane struck a vehicle, separating the left wing from the fuselage. Two occupants of the vehicle received minor injuries.
July 17, 2022, Gold Hill, Colo.
Cessna T337G Turbo Skymaster
The airplane was destroyed at about 0938 Mountain time when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. The pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured.
Recorded ADS-B data show the airplane departing and proceeding westerly for about four minutes before a right turn to a northwesterly heading was initiated. By 0938:37, the airplane had climbed to 9500 feet msl. It then made a descending left turn to 8600 feet msl by 0938:46, followed by a right turn. The last recorded ADS-B data depicted the airplane at 8400 feet msl and about 579 feet northeast of the accident site.
July 25, 2022, Tryon, Neb.
Van’s RV-9A Experimental
At 0839 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain after apparently descending out of control. The pilot and student pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured.
Radar and ATC recordings show the flight took off at about 0715 and flew northeast toward its intended destination at 9500 feet msl while receiving VFR flight following services. Sometime later, the pilot reported climbing through 11,500 feet. He advised ATC they were trying to remain clear of clouds and requested assistance in finding visual conditions as they climbed. Shortly after the pilot reported climbing through 12,300 feet and still in the “soup,” radar data show the airplane descending through 7600 feet. There was no response to ATC’s calls.
July 29, 2022, Raeford, N.C.
CASA C-212 Aviocar
The airplane was substantially damaged in a hard landing and subsequent emergency landing at about 1404 Eastern time. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was not injured; the second-in-command (SIC) sustained fatal injuries.
Earlier, while the SIC was attempting to land, a hard landing ensued, shearing off the right main landing gear. The PIC elected to divert to a nearby airport. About 20 minutes into the diversion, the SIC became visibly upset about the hard landing, soon opened his side window and “may have gotten sick.” The SIC then lowered the airplane’s rear ramp, indicating he “felt like he was going to be sick and needed air.” The SIC left his seat, removed his headset, “apologized and departed the airplane via the aft ramp door.”
The PIC turned the airplane right to search for the SIC and notified ATC his SIC had departed the airplane without a parachute. He then proceeded to the divert airport, performed a low approach and then an emergency landing, with the airplane coming to rest upright in the grass beside the runway.
