May 1, 2021, Hutchinson, Kan.
Beech 23 Musketeer
At 0925 Central time, the airplane settled into terrain shortly after takeoff, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot received minor injuries; the three passengers were uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed for the Young Eagles flight.
During takeoff, the pilot later reported, the airplane would not climb higher than treetop level. The airplane settled and collided with terrain.
May 1, 2021, Lakeland, Fla.
Beech A36 Bonanza
The airplane was destroyed at about 1428 Eastern time when it impacted obstacles and terrain during an attempt to land after engine failure. The private pilot was seriously injured and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The accident flight departed a nearby airport at about 1420 and flew toward the Lakeland (Fla.) Linder International Airport (KLAL). As the airplane approached the airport, ATC warned the pilots about their altitude—800 feet msl. One of the pilots responded by advising of the engine failure, after which the flight was cleared to land but failed to reach the airport. The airplane’s last ADS-B data point was about 0.68 nm and 092 degrees from the approach end of Runway 27 at KLAL.
May 2, 2021, Oxford, Iowa
Cessna T210M Turbo Centurion
At 1552 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when its pilot apparently lost control while attempting to recover from a bounced landing. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness reported the airplane touched down and bounced, with the right wing lifting up to an estimated 45-degree angle. The airplane’s wings leveled, and it bounced a second time before landing. The airplane then exited the runway surface to the left, and entered a harvested corn field. The witness then heard the engine rpm increase to full power as the airplane attempted to take off from the field. It struck a power pole and power line near the corner of the field instead.
May 4, 2021, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise
The airplane was destroyed at about 2305 Central time when it collided with a residence while executing an instrument approach. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, as was an occupant of the residence. Instrument conditions prevailed, and the flight operated on an IFR flight plan.
After being cleared for the approach, the airplane flew to the initial approach fix, performed the procedure turn and flew a portion of the final approach course. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 2300, about 1.6 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1475 feet msl. The residence was about 2.2 miles from the runway.
According to his training facility, the pilot completed a flight review in the accident airplane on November 13, 2020, and completed Advisory Circular 91-89 approved MU-2 recurrent training on November 14, 2020.
May 5, 2021, Ridgeland, SC.
IAI Gulfstream G150
At about 1033 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it failed to stop on the runway after landing. The two pilots and three passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later said the airplane touched down normally, about 700 to 1000 feet beyond the runway threshold at between 120-128 knots. He applied brakes and thrust reversers but did not observe an indication that the spoilers deployed. He further recalled that the brakes and thrust reversers were not slowing the airplane. He increased thrust reverser input and asked the copilot to apply “full brakes.” The airplane subsequently overran the departure end of the runway, traveled through the grass and coming to rest in a wetland marsh.
May 6, 2021, Young Harris, Ga.
DJI Matrice SUAS
The small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) injured its pilot after it became unresponsive. The remote pilot in command (RPIC) sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
During a demonstration flight near a manufacturer-designated prohibited-flight zone, the sUAS became unresponsive, and the pilot used the return-to-home function. The sUAS flew to a hover at about seven feet agl, over a vehicle, and remained unresponsive to control inputs. The RPIC grabbed the landing gear and attempted to physically move the drone away from the vehicle but the sUAS “resisted the physical displacement and maintained its position over the vehicle,” according to the NTSB. With assistance from a bystander, the RPIC attempted to remove its battery but was struck several times by a rotor, injuring his hand. “After the injury was sustained,” the NTSB said, “the RPIC continued to hold onto the drone for several minutes until the batteries were exhausted and the motors stopped.”
May 6, 2021, La Belle, Fla.
Ted Smith Aerostar 600
At about 1520 Eastern time, the Canada-registered airplane was substantially damaged when it apparently suffered an engine failure and collided with terrain. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured and the pilot-rated passenger was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Surveillance data revealed that the airplane took off at about 1500. The airplane was in cruise flight at about 3500 feet msl and 170 knots groundspeed when it began a decelerating descent until the target disappeared about 0.5 miles east of the accident site at about 200 feet and a groundspeed of 110 knots. A doorbell camera about 500 feet east of the accident site captured the airplane as it passed overhead at low altitude. The engine sound was smooth and continuous as it passed into and out of the camera’s view. Seconds later, the sounds of impact were heard. Examination revealed each of the left propeller’s blades displayed similar twisting, bending and chordwise polishing. The blades of the right propeller were secure in the hub and were in the feathered position.
May 6, 2021, Spring, Texas
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1707 Central time when it experienced an apparent engine fire during landing rollout. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The flight instructor later said the engine quit during the landing rollout. After exiting the runway, the flight instructor restarted the engine and subsequently noticed a fire that produced smoke and extreme heat in the cabin compartment. The flight instructor and student evacuated the airplane. Initial examination revealed a damaged engine mount and buckling of the engine firewall.
May 11, 2021, Merrill, Wis.
Beech C23 Sundowner
At 1500 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during an off-field landing after it lost engine power. The pilot and passenger had minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane was about five miles from the airport, descending through about 1250 feet, when the engine started to run rough and gradually lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and magnetos, to no avail, and executed an off-field landing, collapsing the landing gear. Reported weather at the time included temperature of 55 degrees F and a dewpoint at 25 degrees F.
May 12, 2021, Englewood, Colo.
Swearingen SA226TC/Cirrus SR22
The two airplanes collided in flight at 1023 Mountain time while approaching to land. There were no injuries aboard either airplane. Visual conditions prevailed.
Both airplanes were in communication with ATC. At 1022:43, the Swearingen was on about a 5.5 nm final for Runway 17L. At the same time, the Cirrus was on a right downwind and about to turn onto the base leg for Runway 17R. The two airplanes collided about 3.2 nm from the airport. The Swearingen remained aligned with Runway 17L while the Cirrus was turning from base to final and heading about 146 degrees when the collision occurred. It apparently overshot its turn to final for Runway 17R and drifted into the final approach path for Runway 17L. The Swearingen’s pilot declared an emergency and landed successfully on Runway 17L without further incident. The Cirrus pilot reported the airplane was not controllable and deployed the airframe parachute, coming to rest about three nm north of the airport.
May 13, 2021, New Lenox, Ill.
Beech B24R Sierra
At 1117 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was landed on an Interstate highway following partial loss of engine power. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger suffered minor injuries.
The pilot later stated the pre-flight inspection was unremarkable and the engine started without hesitation. The before-takeoff run-up was “smooth” with no issues noted. The takeoff and initial climbout were normal. During the climb, however, engine power dropped to about 1300 rpm without warning. The pilot’s efforts to restore full power were not successful and he executed a forced landing to the highway. The landing gear was extended once a landing was assured. On short final, he slowed the airplane to avoid a vehicle on the highway, resulting in a hard landing and landing gear collapse.
May 14, 2021, Pinckneyville, Ill.
Beech A36 Bonanza
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1500 Central time during an off-field landing following total loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While in cruise at 8000 feet msl, the pilot noticed the engine oil pressure was fluctuating. The pilot initiated a divert to the nearest airport but the engine began to shake and lost total power. Unable to make the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear impacted a ditch and collapsed, with the airplane coming to rest upright. Examination revealed a hole in the engine crankcase.
May 15, 2021, Whitewater, Wis.
Cirrus Design SR22
At about 2115 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when its pilot activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Instrument conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed.
While in cruise, the pilot began receiving conflicting information from the flight instruments and digital flight information display. The turn coordinator and GPS were displaying opposite information, the heading bug was moving erratically, and “he felt as if he was flying in circles.” He determined he could not rely on the flight instruments and he elected to activate the airframe parachute system. The airplane came to rest in a stand of 60-foot tall trees.
May 16, 2021, Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
Cessna 210 Centurion
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1545 Pacific time in an off-airport landing following loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
While climbing through 8500 feet msl, the pilot noted partial loss of engine power. He contacted ATC and obtained nearby airport and weather information. While over mountainous terrain, the engine lost all power. Concerned he did not have sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain, he initiated a forced landing to a clearing on sloped terrain. The airplane subsequently collided with vegetation and came to rest upright on a steep slope.
May 17, 2021, St. Louis, Mich.
Cessna 182H Skylane
At about 1308 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it contacted antenna guy wires during a pipeline patrol mission. The solo pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Surveillance data show the airplane’s ground track followed the intended pipeline at between 500 feet and 800 feet agl. The airplane flew into an area containing a 1049-foot tall radio antenna supported by multiple guy wires, the top of which the FAA sectional chart depicted at 1739 feet msl. At 1308:33, the final surveillance data showed the airplane at 1369 feet msl and about 580 feet east-southeast of the radio antenna. The airplane’s last recorded position was about 370 feet below the top of the antenna. Its ground track was toward the guy wires attached to the northeast side of the radio antenna.
May 17, 2021, Racine, Wis.
Flight Design CTLS
The airplane was destroyed during an aborted landing attempt at 2000 Central time. The solo student pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The student pilot’s solo cross- country flight was uneventful until she reduced engine power at the destination airport and encountered a severe engine vibration. She continued the approach but performed a go-around due to a coyote on the runway. The student pilot then returned to the departure airport and attempted three landings, but initiated go-arounds due to the vibration and excessive airspeed. During the fourth landing attempt, the airplane bounced several times before the student pilot aborted the landing and attempted to climb with full engine power. Airspeed decreased, however, and the student pilot headed toward a field to land but hit trees, a powerline and a house. Examination revealed a throttle cable had fractured.
May 25, Crossville, Tenn.
Gulfstream American AA-5A Cheetah
At about 0730 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain after experiencing a partial power loss. The student pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
At 0726, the student pilot placed a telephone call to his flight instructor. According to the instructor: “He said the airplane’s engine was not making full power; making 75 knots at 1,700 rpm. Normal cruise was around 2,400 rpm about 95 knots airspeed….
“I helped him with troubleshooting, I asked about fuel state, magnetos on, carb heat position, and the instruments were all in the green, but the engine was not making full power, and the airplane could not climb…. I told him to make an emergency landing in a field, and he said there were trees and mountains and I asked if he was talking to ATC, and he said he was not. Soon after, I heard the sound of trees and impact and the connection went dead.”
May 29, 2021, Smyrna, Tenn.
Cessna 501 Citation I/SP
The airplane was destroyed when it struck the surface of a lake shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and six passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
The pilot was cleared for takeoff and instructed to turn to a heading of 090 degrees and to maintain 3000 feet msl. The airplane took off and made a climbing right turn. At 1054:46, ATC asked the pilot if he “copied” a subsequent heading instruction. The pilot responded about four seconds later. At 1055:11, ATC instructed the pilot to climb and maintain 15,000 feet msl, but there was no response. Radar data revealed that after the pilot established contact with departure control, the airplane made a series of heading changes along with several climbs and descents before it entered a steep, descending left turn. The last radar return, at 1055:05, showed the airplane at about 700 feet msl and descending at about 31,000 feet per minute.
