April 2, 2023, Oxbow, Ore.
Cirrus Design SR22
At 0950 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances. The pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
The pilot requested flight-following services from ATC at 0934, while heading north at 11,900 feet msl. The controller issued a discrete transponder code but did not provide an altimeter setting or radar identify the airplane. No further communication was observed as the flight climbed to 14,000 feet, and then made a sharp left turn, entering a rapid descent.
Airmet Zulu was in effect, indicating icing with cloud tops at 14,000 feet msl. Witnesses observed the accident airplane descending rapidly, in a nose-down attitude, followed by impact and a post-impact fire that was extinguished by precipitation. One witness reported that, nearly six minutes after the airplane impacted terrain, an empty parachute was seen descending through the clouds.
April 5, 2023, Bremerton, Wash.
Beech 95 Travel Air
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1500 Pacific time when its landing gear collapsed after landing. The solo pilot was uninjured.
The pilot reported the airplane had been parked outside under a tarp for a year, and the accident flight was its first after an annual inspection. He also stated that, on final approach, the landing gear selector lever was down and the green gear-down light was illuminated. The pilot stated the gear collapsed a few seconds after touch down and, after viewing the damage, he believed the gear never extended. The airplane’s wing spar carry-through structure was damaged.
April 5, 2023, Venice, Fla.
Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance
At 2137 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with the Gulf of Mexico shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
Preliminary FAA data indicate the airplane lifted off from Runway 23 at about 2136 and climbed until reaching approximately 300 feet agl/msl and a groundspeed of about 103 knots. The airplane then began a right turn. At about 2136:40, it began to descend. Over the next 14 seconds, the descent rate and groundspeed increased. The final data point, at 2136:54, showed the airplane at 100 feet and about 136 knots, with a descent rate of approximately 3008 fpm.
April 6, 2023, Jesup, Ga.
Cirrus Design SR22
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0750 Eastern time when it collided with terrain while attempting to land. The solo instrument-rated private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
According to ADS-B data, the airplane departed Fernandina Beach, Fla., at about 0728 and proceeded at 1700 feet msl to Jesup, Ga. The pilot did not request any ATC services during the flight. At 0746, he initiated a descent, crossing the Jesup airport boundary from the south at 225 feet msl, perpendicular to Runway 29. The airplane was observed in a slight climb before ADS-B data was lost.
The airplane impacted level terrain about 1200 feet from the Runway 29 threshold. Ground signatures were consistent with a right-wing-low, nose-low impact. The wing flap actuator was in the retracted position. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching, surface polishing and “S” bending, indicating it was under power at impact. The airplane’s airframe parachute was not activated, and its safety pin was found in place.
The airport’s automated weather observation at 0750 included ¼-mile visibility in fog, calm winds and a ceiling of 300 feet. Airport personnel who arrived about five minutes after the accident reported and documented fog on the ramp at that time.
April 7, 2023, Sebastian, Fla.
Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six
At 1443 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an apparent go-around attempt. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The flight departed at about 1330 and flew over the Florida coast for about an hour, performing several turns, climbs and descents before turning inland and conducted several more maneuvers before returning to the airport. He entered a five nautical mile straight-in approach to Runway 10. Winds were reported as from 120 degrees at 10 knots. Several eyewitnesses stated the airplane’s approach appeared slower than normal, with its wings wobbling. The airplane touched down “hard” on its nosewheel before bouncing back into the air. The engine’s power was heard to rapidly increase; then the left wing dropped, contacting the ground, and the airplane went off the side of the runway, cartwheeling for about 75 feet before coming to rest inverted north of the runway.
April 7, 2023, Ashland, Ore.
Daher TBM 940
The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted go-around at about 1655 Pacific time. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
During the flight review, the flight instructor gave the pilot a scenario that included a weather diversion. After crossing the “divert” runway’s threshold, the instructor announced there was a simulated obstruction on the runway. During the go-around, the pilot advanced engine power and established the airplane in a level flight attitude, expecting an increase in airspeed. However, the airplane almost immediately yawed left, which the pilot was unable to correct with right rudder. The airplane impacted the left side of the runway in a level attitude before encountering bushes and small trees. A small fire ensued, eventually engulfing much of the airplane.
April 8, 2023, Morgan, Utah
Van’s RV-7 Experimental
At about 1937 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged in an off-field landing following engine failure. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Earlier, an engine condition inspection revealed particles in the oil screen. After consulting a mechanic, the pilot decided to continue flying the airplane and closely monitor the engine. About 15 minutes into a local flight, the pilot noticed a burning odor when he activated the heater, turned back toward the departure airport and then noticed a vibration, followed about a minute later by a “sudden shudder” and then observed oil covering the windshield. The engine subsequently lost power. The pilot had no forward visibility due to the oil obstructing the windscreen. The airplane landed in a field, flipped over and came to rest inverted.
April 9, 2023, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Cessna 402 Businessliner
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1613 Eastern time when it entered the engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) after a runway overrun. The airline transport pilot and six passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the FAR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight.
The flight departed Nassau, Bahamas, at about 1450 and flew under VFR to Fort Lauderdale. The pilot later reported he was attempting to land on Runway 10R, which was 8000 feet long, and that the airplane touched down on the wet runway about midfield. The left brake “did not work” and he did not want to apply too much right brake and lose directional control. The airplane subsequently traveled off the end of the runway and into the EMAS, where it came to rest upright.
According to ATC, the airplane approached Runway 10R and flew right traffic at about 140 knots groundspeed. A controller reported the airplane touched down on the wet runway with approximately 1600 feet remaining.
April 14, 2023, Crestview, Fla.
Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG
At about 1440 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an off-field landing following engine failure. The solo pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot was conducting practice approaches. Shortly after receiving an approach clearance, he heard a “boom” from the propeller hub, which immediately began to shudder violently and oscillate in a semi-oval pattern. Engine oil coated the windshield and impaired forward visibility. The pilot opted to leave the landing gear retracted. The airplane and touched down in an area of cut trees, and then slid approximately 100 feet into a marsh.
April 18, 2023, Miami, Fla.
Rockwell International 112
The airplane was substantially damaged at 0913 Eastern time when its right landing gear collapsed after landing. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
In preparation for landing, the pilot extended the landing gear and confirmed all three gear-down indicator lights were illuminated. After the airplane touched down, the right main landing gear “appeared to collapse.” The airplane veered off the runway and came to rest on the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed a small amount of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir. The landing gear was then tested, but due to a lack of hydraulic pressure, the gear would not extend or retract. Hydraulic fluid was then added to the system and the gear was tested again, and the gear moved through its full extension and retraction cycle. However, hydraulic fluid was observed leaking from the hydraulic power pack. The pack had been recently overhauled and installed about 1.5 hours prior to the accident.
April 18, 2023, London, Ohio
Cessna 172N Skyhawk
At 1820 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain short of the intended runway. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The wreckage was located one foot from the beginning of Runway 27, inverted. It impacted left-wing-low, nose-down, in a nearly vertical attitude. Preliminary FAA radar data show the airplane was decelerating during the final approach leg. About 150 feet from the runway, the airplane’s groundspeed was 46 knots; the published stall speed with full flaps extended was 44 knots CAS. The reported winds at the airport 15 minutes after the accident were from 280 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 19 knots.
April 24, 2023, La Porte, Texas
Maule MXT-7-180
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0846 Central time during an off-airport landing following engine failure. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
Airborne witnesses reported hearing the pilot report engine problems immediately after taking off from Runway 05 and say he was returning to the airport. The airplane was observed in a left turn and appeared to be lining up for Runway 23. Then it made a “teardrop” left turn and descended to the ground, coming to rest some 300 feet from the runway threshold. Weather observed about six miles from the accident site included a temperature dewpoint spread of 14/09 Celsius. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, the airplane was operating within a range conducive to serious carburetor icing at any power setting.
April 26, 2023, Watkinsville, Ga.
Cessna 177B Cardinal
At about 1425 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when its airframe failed. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was in effect.
Approaching the destination, ATC provided several vectors for traffic management. When the airplane was observed descending from 4000 feet msl, the low-altitude alert activated and ATC issued a safety alert, instructing the pilot to maintain 3000 feet. The pilot read back the altitude, and then ATC instructed the pilot to fly heading 270 degrees. There were no further transmissions from the accident airplane; radar contact was subsequently lost.
The right wing had separated in flight, at approximately the mid-length section of the right flap, coming to rest in a wooded area about 988 feet west of the main wreckage. Θ
