July 1, 2015, Hillsville, Va.
Piper PA-28-151 Warrior
At about 1705 Eastern time, the airplane touched down short of the intended runway. The commercial pilot sustained a minor injury; the pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
Abeam the runway threshold on downwind, the pilot lowered wing flaps to the first notch and moved the mixture control to full rich but did not turn on carburetor heat. While on final at 500 feet agl and 80 mph, the next thing he knew they were on the ground. He indicated the airplane descended due to a microburst, but there was no rain shower nearby. He also stated the passenger attempted to add full power, but was too late. He stated he did not stall the airplane.
July 1, 2015, Quinlan, Texas
Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power at about 1354 Central time, shortly after takeoff, and impacted a field. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Both private pilots aboard were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane came to rest about 0.32 nm southeast of the runway. The airplane was upright and exhibited crushing along the wing leading edges and airplane nose. The landing gear jack screw extension equated to a fully extended landing gear, and the cockpit flap control handle was in the flaps fully extended position.
July 1, 2015, Louisburg, Kan.
Boeing A75N1 Stearman PT-17
At about 2030 Central time, the airplane collided with power lines during takeoff. The solo pilot was not injured but the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
After liftoff and about halfway down the 2000-foot-long grass runway, and at an altitude of 20 to 30 feet, “it became evident” power was insufficient as the airplane had stopped climbing. The airplane struck power lines at the north end of the runway and nosed down, impacting a cornfield. Before taking off, the pilot did not perform an engine run-up and did not use carburetor heat. According to the NTSB, conditions were conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power.
July 3, 2015, Wasilla, Alaska
Piper PA-18A-Super Cub
The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1308 Alaska time during a collision with terrain following a loss of engine power, which occurred shortly after takeoff. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot was conducting test flights after having a rebuilt engine installed and completing an annual inspection. During the second flight, the pilot believed the engine was showing signs of possible water contamination in the fuel. He landed and sumped the fuel tanks, which showed no indication of water. He and his mechanic did an engine run-up, checking the magneto drop and carburetor heat application, and the engine ran smoothly.
During the third takeoff, as the airplane climbed to about 300 to 500 feet agl, the engine began sputtering and losing power. The pilot switched tanks trying to restart the engine, to no avail. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane went through trees, coming to rest on its right side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage, and the right wing folded over the top of the fuselage.
July 3, 2015, Shenandoah, Texas
Cessna Model 172D Skyhawk
At about 1200 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The solo pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane’s fuel tanks were topped off before departing on the accident flight. The pilot reported that no anomalies were noted during his pre-takeoff engine run-up and a normal takeoff was performed. Subsequently, while in cruise flight at 1600 feet msl, the engine experienced a partial power loss. The pilot applied carburetor heat, enrichened the mixture, and verified the fuel selector was in the “both” position, but engine power was not restored.
The pilot declared an emergency with a nearby control tower and was cleared to land. Shortly after receiving the landing clearance, however, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby vacant sports stadium parking lot but was unable to stop before impacting a concrete curb located at the far end of the parking lot. The impact collapsed the nosegear and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The fuselage, wings and empennage were substantially damaged.
July 4, 2015, Salem, Ore.
Mooney M20E Super 21
The airplane collided with terrain at about 0810 Pacific time after an aborted landing and attempted go-around. The solo private pilot was fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged from impact forces and a post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed.
The tower controller later stated the approach appeared normal, and the landing gear appeared to be “down and in place.” The controller reported the airplane “floated” down the runway for approximately 1000 feet, and at mid-field began a shallow climb at a low airspeed, climbing to about 100 feet agl over the runway’s departure end. Other witnesses reported the engine sounding “as if it were at a low rpm and misfiring.” The airplane then began a left turn, followed by a loss of control and impact with terrain. All components necessary for flight were accounted for at the accident site.
July 6, 2015, Oneonta, N.Y.
Cessna Model T210L Turbo Centurion
At about 2000 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field following a total loss of engine power during cruise. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the engine lost all power. He was unable to restart it, and performed a forced landing to a cornfield. During the landing, the nosegear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination revealed approximately five gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank and no fuel in the right main fuel tank. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right main fuel tank. A digital engine monitor was retained for data download.
July 7, 2015, Houston, Texas
Cirrus Design SR22
The airplane descended under canopy of the airframe parachute system and landed in a residential neighborhood at about 1137 Central time. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane took off at 1133.
During initial climb, the pilot noticed increasing engine temperatures and reduced power in an attempt to lower them. At about 900 feet agl, the engine began detonating and soon lost all power. The pilot deployed the airframe parachute and the airplane came to rest upright next to a residence. An initial examination revealed adequate fuel aboard. The airplane’s most recent refueling was verified to have been 100LL and not turbine fuel.
July 7, 2015, Moncks Corner, S.C.
Cessna 150M/Lockheed-Martin F-16C
At 1100 Eastern time, the two airplanes collided in midair. The Cessna was destroyed, and both the private pilot and passenger aboard it were fatally injured. The USAF F-16’s pilot ejected and the airplane was destroyed in a collision with terrain and post-impact fire. The F-16 pilot’s ejection was successful, and he was uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed; the F-16 was operating IFR.
The Cessna had just departed a nearby airport. The single-seat F-16 was conducting practice Tacan approaches to a nearby Air Force base and was maintaining 1600 feet msl. At 1100:18, ATC advised the F-16 pilot, “traffic 12 o’clock, two miles, opposite direction, 1200 [feet altitude] indicated, type unknown.” The F-16 pilot advised he was “looking” for the traffic, and at 1100:26, ATC advised, “turn left heading 180 if you don’t have that traffic in sight.” The pilot responded by asking, “Confirm two miles?” Eight seconds later, the controller stated, “If you don’t have that traffic in sight turn left heading 180 immediately.” At 1100:52 the controller advised the F-16 pilot, “Traffic passing below you 1400 feet.” Reported weather at the Cessna’s departure airport included calm winds, 10 statute miles visibility and scattered clouds at 2600 feet agl.
July 11, 2015, Juneau, Alaska
Cessna Model 210
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a gear-up landing at about 1648 Alaska time. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While configuring for a landing, the nose wheel fully extended and locked into place, but the left and right main landing gear extended about halfway and stopped. The pilot cycled the gear to no avail, and the pilot diverted to a better-equipped airport. The pilot landed with the nose wheel in the down and locked position. At touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and went off the left side of the runway, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and left horizontal stabilizer. When the airplane was lifted for recovery, hydraulic fluid was observed leaking from the bottom.
July 12, 2015, Stafford Twp, N.J.
Cessna Model 210-5A 205A
At about 1010 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power during initial climbout. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; one passenger received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the skydiving flight.
During climbout, the pilot noted cylinder head temperatures were in the “normal” range. At about 4000 feet msl, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and about a minute later the propeller stopped windmilling. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, and elected to perform an off-airport landing to a highway.
During the landing rollout onto the median, the airplane impacted several road signs with the wings and horizontal stabilizer. Examination revealed the engine crankshaft was not rotating at the rear accessory gears, and no motion was observed on the piston heads for cylinders #1 and #2. Motion was observed on all other cylinder pistons during manual rotation of the propeller.
July 16, 2015, Dunkirk, N.Y.
Cessna Model 162 Skycatcher
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness stated the airplane made an “abrupt” left turn at about 100-200 feet agl, lost altitude, then pitched to a nose-up attitude. He observed the airplane lose altitude and pitch up a second time; it was in an “aggressive” nose-up pitch attitude as it sank below the tree line and out of his view.
The pilot subsequently stated he had been shooting touch-and-go landings. After the accident takeoff, the airplane’s right cabin door opened at about 400 feet. The pilot attempted to reach across the right seat and close the door, but could not reach it, and stated that the airplane “did not want to fly.” The pilot decided to return to the airport or find an open area to conduct a forced landing. As he turned the airplane left, it experienced an aerodynamic stall and impacted trees.
July 18, 2015, Cody, Wyo.
Cessna Model T310R
At about 1155 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain. The pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; the flight was operating on an IFR clearance.
At about 1147, the pilot contacted ATC, reported level at 13,500 feet msl and requested an IFR clearance. After confirming the pilot could maintain terrain and obstacle clearance climbing to 15,000 feet msl, the controller cleared the flight to its destination upon reaching that altitude. Shortly after reaching 15,000 feet, the airplane dropped off radar. The accident site was located at 7762 feet msl. The airplane had impacted a creek bed in a near-vertical attitude.
July 19, 2015, Linden, N.J.
Cessna Model 172S Skyhawk SP
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1909 Eastern time when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the airplane “felt heavy” and he attempted to abort the takeoff and land. The airplane bounced two or three times before he flew in ground effect to bleed off airspeed. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway and continued into the grass before impacting a fence. The fuel gauges indicated the tanks contained a total of 46 gallons of fuel. The 1915 recorded weather observation included calm wind and temperature of 81 deg. F.
July 19, 2015, Las Vegas, Nev.
Piper PA-28-181 Archer
At about 1330 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and three passengers were seriously injured; the airplane was destroyed by a post-accident fire. Visual conditions prevailed.
The tower controller observed the airplane appeared to not be climbing normally after takeoff, and he cleared the pilot to make any maneuvers necessary to return to the airport if he desired. A witness observed the airplane take off and struggle to gain altitude; it then made a left turn followed by a steep-bank turn. The airplane crashed into a open construction site.
July 21, 2015, Auburn, Wyo.
Aeronca 7BCM (L-16A)
The airplane impacted terrain in front of a residence at about 1845 Mountain time. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness reported seeing one of the airplane’s occupants drop a bag of candy to those below. The airplane started a right bank then pulled up steeply, “stalled, and did a tail slide.” The nose dropped and the airplane impacted the ground.
July 22, 2015, Rozet, Wyo
Cessna Model 182E Skylane
At about 0800 Mountain time, the airplane lost engine power shortly after takeoff. The private pilot was not injured during the forced landing but the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, after reaching about 1000 feet agl, the engine quit. He established a glide and continued a turn back to the departure airport. About mile from the runway, he performed a slip to lose altitude. He then lowered full flaps and landed about halfway down the runway. The airplane rolled off the runway end and impacted a ditch.
July 22, 2015, Oshkosh, Wis.
Piper PA-46-310P Malibu
The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a runway at about 0744 Central time. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries; two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported complying with the Fisk arrival procedures in use during the EAA AirVenture air show. The pilot reported that he entered a right downwind leg at 1800 feet msl and descended at 90 KIAS. He was instructed by ATC to turn base abeam the runway numbers and to land on the green dot about 2500 feet from the runway’s displaced threshold. After beginning his turn, ATC instructed him to continue the approach but land on the orange dot about 1000 feet from the displaced threshold. At about 250 to 300 feet agl, he reduced power, which resulted in the airplane entering a stall. The pilot attempted to recover by adding full power, but the airplane impacted the runway in a right wing, nose-down attitude. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a steep right bank. The right wing hit the runway, resulting in an explosion and fire. The airplane skidded on its belly and came to rest on the left side of the runway.
