Cirrus Design SR22T
November 3, 2015 Fayetteville, Ark.
At 0950 Central time, the airplane descended under its airframe parachute canopy and landed on a road. The pilot, pilot-rated passenger and one person on the ground received minor injuries. A passenger in the rear seat in the was uninjured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.
While cruising at 10,000 feet msl above a low cloud deck, the low oil pressure caution illuminated. The pilot diverted to the nearest airport. By 3300 feet in the descent, oil pressure had dropped below 10 psi and the engine was inconsistently producing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the airplane’s stall warning horn sounded. The pilot deployed the Cirrus airframe parachute system (CAPS) and the airplane descended to the ground. During the landing, the airplane collided with a truck and came to rest on a four-lane road. Engine oil was observed in the engine compartment and on the underside of the fuselage. Examination revealed a broken oil cooler fitting.
Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub
November 3, 2015, Tecumseh, Mich.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1430 Eastern time when it collided with trees during an aborted landing. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane bounced at touchdown on the turf runway upon encountering the crossing concrete runway near midfield. To recover, the pilot added power then made a full-stall (three-point) landing. After its tailwheel made contact with the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the left and drifted into a grass field. The pilot attempted to abort the landing, and maneuvered back onto the runway before becoming airborne again, but was unable to clear nearby trees.
Cessna 180
November 4, 2015, Haines, Alaska
The airplane is presumed to have sustained substantial damage during impact with ocean waters at about 1345 Alaska time following a reported loss of engine power. The private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; one passenger suffered serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
A pilot reported hearing a Mayday call from another airplane whose pilot stated his engine had failed and he was attempting to land on the east side of a canal. No further communications were received from the accident airplane’s pilot. The other pilot relayed the report to ATC.
The accident pilot later stated the airplane’s fuel tanks had been topped off prior to departing Haines earlier that day for the 50-minute flight to Juneau. Before the return flight, the fuel gauges read between and 7/8 full. Nearing the destination, the engine lost all power and restart attempts were unsuccessful. Unable to find a safe landing area on the beach, he decided to ditch in the water. During touchdown, the airplane nosed over and all four occupants swam for 10-15 minutes before reaching the shore. At about 1500, searchers located the four occupants, who were suffering from hypothermia. The accident site’s water depth is estimated between 600 and 780 feet.
Flight Design CTLS
November 4, 2015, Queens, N.Y.
At 1933 Eastern time, the light-sport airplane was destroyed when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean. The private pilot was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the Northeast Philadelphia (Penn.) Airport (KPNE) at about 1900, with an intended destination of the Portsmouth (N.H.) International Airport at Pease (KPSM).
According to personnel at the departure airport, the airplane was “topped off” with fuel prior to departure. Witnesses later watched the airplane descend into the ocean. One witness heard an “explosion” a short time later. A pilot who responded to the search for the wreckage noted it was “pitch black” out over the water. All major components were recovered, and control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces through tensile overload breaks and cuts facilitated for recovery. All three propeller blades were fractured about midspan from the hub.
Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee 180
November 4, 2015, Baldwin, Ga.
The airplane was destroyed at about 2355 when it impacted wooded terrain following a loss of control during an instrument approach. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed but no flight plan was filed. According to the FAA, the pilot was not receiving radar services nor was he in communication with ATC at the time of the accident.
Local residents heard an airplane flying overhead, then a “whirling” noise and a loud crash. Heavy fog and mist were present at ground level, hampering their search, but they succeeded in locating the airplane in a ravine and notified authorities. The wreckage was 0.25 miles and 330 magnetic from the destination airport. Weather 14 nm southwest of the accident site included calm winds, two statute miles’ visibility and an overcast ceiling at 200 feet.
Thorp T-18 Experimental
November 6, 2015, Independence, Ore.
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1530 Pacific time during a precautionary landing in a field. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, the airplane was climbing when the canopy partially disconnected. The pilot landed in a cow pasture. During the landing roll, the right wing impacted a fence post.
Cessna 120
November 6, 2015, Gonzales, La.
At about 1205 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot was seriously injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot subsequently reported to law enforcement personnel that he lost engine power. Visual examination by the FAA noted that fuel was present. The airplane came to rest upright, with collapsed main landing gear and heavy impact damage to the nose, cockpit and fuselage.
Cirrus Design SR22T
November 7, 2015, Paso Robles, Calif.
The airplane sustained minor damage at 1234 Pacific time during the landing roll. The flight instructor, student pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the flight instructor, the student pilot landed normally on the main gear. When the nose was lowered to the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
November 7, 2015, San Jose, Calif.
The airplane was substantially damaged at 2043 Pacific time during landing. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; three passengers were uninjured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
The flight was returning to its base airport after a local night flight. During touchdown, the airplane departed the runway and came to rest inverted.
Cirrus Design SR22
November 9, 2015, Colorado Springs, Colo.
At about 1055 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain. A post-impact fire ensued. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the FAA, the pilot reported losing engine power shortly after takeoff. One witness described hearing the engine surge during the takeoff. Other witnesses described seeing the airplane’s wings rock back and forth before it “spiraled” to the ground. The airplane came to rest in a field mile north of the departure end of the runway. All major components were at the accident site.
Cessna 441 Conquest II
November 9, 2015, Climax, Ga.
The airplane was destroyed in a collision with trees and terrain, and a post-crash fire, following a loss of control while maneuvering at 1016 Eastern time. The commercial pilot/owner and the commercial pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.
At 0953:43, while the airplane was at 3300 feet msl and 36 miles from its destination, the pilot reported the airport in sight. Over the next 13 minutes, the airplane’s radar track was an erratic sequence of left, right and overlapping 360-degree turns. Altitudes varied between about 4000 feet and 900 feet. At 1006:16, the pilot reported losing visual contact with the airport and requested an RNAV approach. The airplane did not maintain its heading and altitude assignments during the subsequent vectoring, and several corrections were provided by ATC.
At 1012:31, ATC cleared the pilot to an approach fix but the pilot expressed inability to identify it. At 1015:37, the pilot acknowledged the approach clearance. The radar target then climbed and descended in the fix’s vicinity. At 1016:40, the airplane was in a descending right turn at 2500 feet and 180 knots groundspeed when radar contact was lost. Weather observed at 1035 eight miles west of the accident site included an overcast ceiling at 400 feet and two miles’ visibility in fog.
Cessna 182Q Skylane
November 10, 2015, Richmond, Mo.
At about 1858 Central time, the airplane impacted obstructions and terrain during an off-airport emergency landing. The pilot was fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Dark night visual conditions prevailed
While in cruise flight at about 3200 feet msl and receiving flight following services from ATC, the pilot requested directions to the nearest airport and reported a significant loss of engine power. The controller recommended a facility then about five miles southwest of the airplane. The last radar data showed the descending airplane was at about 1600 feet. A witness saw the airplane, reporting it passed directly overhead about 500 feet above him; the engine sounded like it was “spitting.” The witness then saw the airplane descend and disappear from his sight. Shortly afterward he heard two distinct “thuds.” Adequate fuel was found in the airplane; there was no post-impact fire.
BAe HS 125-700A Hawker 700
November 10, 2015, Akron, Ohio
The airplane was destroyed at about 1452 Eastern after departing controlled flight, impacting a four-unit apartment building and igniting a post-crash fire. The pilot, copilot and seven passengers died; no ground injuries were reported. Instrument conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. An IFR flight plan had been filed.
According to the FAA, ATC provided the accident airplane radar vectors for the Localizer Runway 25 approach. A Piper PA-28-161 completed the approach breaking out right at minimums, and passed that information to the accident flight. At about 1452, a security camera some 900 feet to southeast captured the airplane as it came in over the surrounding trees in a left-wing-down attitude about 1.8 nautical miles from the runway’s approach end. An explosion and post-crash fire were observed on the video. The surface weather observation included wind from 240 degrees at seven knots, visibility 1 sm in mist and a broken ceiling at 600 feet agl.
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza
November 12, 2015, Lancaster, Calif.
At 1930 Pacific time, the airplane impacted mountainous terrain while on a practice instrument approach. The private pilot and flight instructor were seriously injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
The pilot stated he was receiving instrument instruction and the flight was cleared for an RNAV approach. They crossed a waypoint 3.5 miles west of the final approach fix about 1900 feet below the minimum crossing altitude and impacted trees 10 miles southwest of the airport.
Cirrus Design SR22
November 13, 2015, Jefferson, N.C.
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing at about 0910 Eastern time, following a total loss of engine power. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 11,500 feet msl, the engine began losing power. He diverted to a nearby airport and circled three times to lose altitude. Turning on final approach, he realized the winds were stronger than expected and the airplane was not going to reach the runway. He deployed the airframe parachute and the airplane descended under canopy into a field.
Beechcraft F33A Bonanza
November 19, 2015, North Salem, N.Y.
At about 1545 Eastern time, the airplane impacted a reservoir while executing an instrument approach. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.
The pilot was vectored to and cleared for the Localizer Runway 8 approach, which he acknowledged. The controller noticed the airplane was in a descending right turn away from the airport. The airplane descended to 1500 feet before climbing to 2400 feet on a westerly heading. The airplane then disappeared from radar. Airplane debris was located the following day on the reservoir’s shoreline eight miles southwest of the airport. Weather at 1353 included wind from 140 degrees at six knots, 1 mile visibility in light rain and mist, and a variable overcast at 900 feet.
Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion
November 19, 2015, Coalinga, Calif.
The airplane sustained minor damage at about 1405 Pacific time during a forced landing due to a partial loss of engine power. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later reported that at about 100 feet agl in initial climb, the airplane lost power. The pilot performed an emergency checklist and decided to make a forced landing to an open field with the landing gear retracted. The airplane collided with wires while on approach, then landed on its belly and skidded to a stop, coming to rest upright.
Beech A36TC Turbocharged Bonanza
November 20, 2015, Orlando, Fla.
At about 1127 Eastern time, the airplane descended into a lake and was destroyed. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
After entering Class B airspace without a clearance, the pilot indicated he was unable to disengage the autopilot. The pilot then informed ATC he needed to get the airplane on the ground and requested assistance. At about 1121:52, he reported he had to use full force and asked on the frequency if anybody knew how to turn off the autopilot. The controller asked the pilot if he was able to descend, to which he replied he was pushing as hard as he could on the control yoke. An unidentified voice on the frequency instructed the pilot to pull the autopilot circuit breaker, to which he replied he had but the airplane was porpoising. Witnesses observed it descend in a nose-low attitude into the lake.
Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee 180
November 24, 2015, Lawrenceville, Ga.
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing into trees at about 1600 Eastern time, following a total loss of engine power during initial climb. The flight instructor was seriously injured; the student pilot incurred minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
Shortly after turning onto the crosswind leg, the engine lost power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and elected to not attempt a glide back to the airport as the airplane was about 500 feet agl. He subsequently performed a forced landing straight ahead into trees. The student pilot stated the engine lost all power without any sputtering or roughness. He further stated, “It sounded like we had turned off the engine after a lesson: just a smooth shutdown as if the mixture was dropped to full lean after parking….”
