September 1, 2022, Orlando, Fla.
Diamond Aircraft DA42 NG Twin Star
At about 1700 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it flipped over in high winds and came to rest inverted. The private pilot was fatally injured and the flight instructor was seriously injured. Instrument conditions prevailed as the intended instructional flight waited on a taxiway for better weather.
The flight instructor reported he and his student determined a small area of precipitation would be in the vicinity of their departure airport after takeoff. By the time they completed preflight checks, the weather had deteriorated, with wind gusting to 40 knots and visibility dropping to zero. Shortly, wind gusts increased to about 60 knots, the airplane’s left wing lifted and the airplane rolled over to its right. Structural damage was noted to both wings, the fuselage and the empennage.
September 1, 2022, Tomball, Texas
Cirrus Aircraft SR22
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1707 Central time when it was involved in an accident near Tomball, Texas. The flight instructor was fatally injured; the pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
Three days earlier, the pilot accepted delivery of his factory-new Cirrus SR22. Nearing its destination after a two-leg trip, the flight was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 17R. After turning final, the pilot observed the approach path indicator depicting the airplane on a proper descent path to the runway. Airspeed began to decrease as the flight continued toward the runway, and the pilot increased the throttle without success. The flight instructor stated, “My airplane,” or, “I’ve got the controls,” shortly after the pilot increased the throttle.
After the flight instructor took control, the airplane descended below the glidepath and impacted trees before coming to rest about 0.68 miles north of the Runway 17R threshold. The fuel selector handle was positioned to the left fuel tank and there was a strong odor of 100LL fuel at the accident site; neither fuel tank contained any measurable amount of fuel. According to instrumentation, however, there was ample fuel available in both fuel tanks at impact.
The inlet fuel fitting to the electric boost pump was found separated. Blue fuel staining was observed on the interior and exterior surfaces of the inlet fuel fitting. The fitting and fuel line are being tested to determine whether the fitting separated in-flight or at impact. No other anomalies have been noted.
September 2, 2022, Shafter, Calif.
Yakovlev YAK-11
At about 1100 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain after an apparent loss of engine power. The solo pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness reported the pilot departed Runway 30 and entered a climbing left turn, intending to orbit the airport. Shortly after, the pilot radioed his ground crew that he had a low oil pressure indication. The witness then heard two popping noises from the airplane, followed by the sound of a loss of engine power. As the airplane turned final for Runway 12, it entered a nose-low, steep left bank attitude and descended rapidly into terrain.
September 3, 2022, Wadsworth, Ohio
Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1409 Eastern time when it landed hard after losing all power during a touch-and-go landing. The private pilot and passenger were not injured.
The local flight departed with 36 gallons of fuel in two tanks. The pilot completed two full-stop landings and then switched the fuel selector to the left tank. She then flew about 10 minutes to a nearby airport for a touch-and-go landing. During initial climb, at about 50 feet agl, the engine lost all power. The airplane slowed and landed hard, coming to rest off the right edge of the runway. The left main landing gear separated and both wings sustained damage.
September 3, 2022, Seeley Lake, Mon.
Cessna 180
At about 1500 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it lost engine power after a low runway pass to check for wildlife. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported that after refueling the airplane, he departed on a 733 nm flight, cruising at between 10,500 and 12,500 feet msl and burning between 9.5 and 10 gph. During the descent, he enrichened the mixture and applied carburetor heat. The pilot conducted a low approach with medium power to inspect the runway for wildlife. As he initiated a climb and turned onto a left crosswind, the engine lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby clearing, but the airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a nose-low attitude.
September 4, 2022, Galt, Calif.
Beech 58 Baron
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0850 Pacific time when it reportedly collided with terrain in a flat spin. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane spinning. One witness stated that “it was not nose down but more flat.” Another witness stated there was no engine noise. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data show that, at about 0837 and with the airplane maintaining 4600 feet msl, the airplane’s groundspeed began to slow from 168 knots to 87 knots. Groundspeed then increased to 149 knots. At about 0839, the airplane began to decelerate again. A minute later, while decelerating through 100 knots, the airplane began a left turn. The last ADS-B data points show it continuing to decelerate and descend in a left turn.
September 4, 2022, Freeland, Wash.
de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
At 1509 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the water and sank. The pilot and nine passengers were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the scheduled FAR Part 135 flight.
Tracking data show the airplane flying a southerly heading before turning south-southeast, while maintaining between 650 and 975 feet msl with a groundspeed between 115 and 125 knots. At 1508:43, altitude increased to 1125 feet as groundspeed slowed to 109 knots. At 1508:49, altitude was 875 feet and the groundspeed 100 knots. The tracking data ended at 1508:51, at an altitude of 700 feet and groundspeed of 55 knots.
Witnesses reported the airplane was in level flight before it entered a slight climb and then pitched down into a near-vertical descent. Several witnesses described the airplane as “spinning,” “rotating” or “spiraling” during the steep descent. One witness reported hearing engine/propeller noise. The airplane continued to descend until it impacted water in Mutiny Bay.
According to the NTSB, the airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on September 1, 2022. Inspections required by airworthiness directives on the control column lower assembly and elevator control tabs were performed. The previous 100-hour inspection was performed on August 16, 2022; work included the recurring AD inspections noted above and replacing the horizontal stabilizer hinge bolts.
September 5, 2022, Tupelo, Mississippi
Beech 36 Bonanza
The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. On approach, he heard a horn but thought it was the stall warning because it went off when he increased manifold pressure. But then he heard sheet metal grinding on concrete as the airplane settled.
He applied full power and the airplane lifted off the runway. He then extended the landing gear, but the airplane’s left wing dropped, and the airplane impacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot later reported there were no pre-accident mechanical problems with the landing gear system or the rest of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
September 7, 2022, Mesa, AZ
Cessna 750 Citation X
At about 1453 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a runway excursion on landing after losing its primary hydraulic system. The pilot and first officer were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported that the landing gear would not retract after departing Tucson, Arizona, and decided to divert to Mesa. Soon afterward, he noticed that hydraulic system “A” lost fluid and pressure. The pilots completed the appropriate hydraulic system failure emergency checklist.
The subsequent touchdown was smooth, at VREF speed, and the pilot began using the emergency braking immediately. Several hundred feet after touchdown, the left main landing gear tires blew, and the airplane veered off the runway. The right main landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in the runway safety area. Examination revealed the nose landing gear centering hydraulic line was frayed near its upper fitting.
September 8, 2022, Santa Monica, Calif.
Czech Sport Aircraft Piper Sport
The airplane was destroyed at about 1626 Pacific time when its pilot lost control on landing. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The flight was an introductory flight lesson for the prospective student pilot. Multiple witnesses observed the airplane land on Runway 21, with one describing the landing as “hard.” The witnesses observed the airplane aggressively pitch up and climb, while the engine made a sound consistent with it going to full power. It continued climbing in a nose-up attitude before leveling off at the climb’s apex, and then spinning to the left, descending and colliding with the ground.
September 9, 2022, Saint Cloud, Fla.
Cirrus Design SF50 Vision Jet
At about 1502 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its pilot deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.
After being cleared for an instrument approach, the flight crossed the intermediate approach fix at 2000 feet msl and turned toward the final approach fix with a reduced power setting (20 percent). The pilot heard an aural airspeed warning; according to recorded data, indicated airspeed had dropped to about 102 knots. The pilot noted that the reduced airspeed was not common for that portion of the approach, so he added power. When the additional engine power did not have the desired effect, he added more. The pilot reported the airplane then made an uncommanded right turn. He disconnected the autopilot and attempted to roll the wings level. The recorded data reflect that, at about that time, the airplane rolled left and climbed with decreasing indicated airspeed. The pilot pushed the nose down to maintain airspeed, which floated his laptop and iPhone.
The airplane was in IMC, and the pilot informed the passengers that he would be deploying the CAPS. The airplane was flying at 119 knots in a slight nose-up pitch attitude and about a 45-degree left bank at 3150 feet when the CAPS activation occurred. The airplane touched down hard in a marsh and sustained substantial damage.
September 10, 2022, Hartwell, Ga.
Beech 95-B55 (T42A) Baron
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1237 Eastern time when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an instrument approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.
After a one-hour and 50-minute flight from southwest Florida, ATC cleared the pilot for an RNAV approach, which ended with a missed approach. A second attempt didn’t succeed, either. Soon, the pilot reported trouble with his gyros. The controller then issued vectors for an ILS approach. The pilot was cleared for the approach but did not intercept the localizer. The controller instructed the pilot to stop his turn and maintain 3000 feet, but no further communications were received from the pilot.
At 1235, tracking data show the airplane at 3975 feet msl. About 30 seconds later, it began two right turns and descended to 1900 feet, briefly climbed to 2750 feet msl and then began a left turn. The last track data was observed at 1237, as the airplane descended through 1825 feet msl, about 1165 feet agl. The airplane then impacted Lake Hartwell.
September 13, 2022, Seligman, Ariz.
Piper PA-46-310P Malibu
At about 1100 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it apparently broke up in flight in an area of reported turbulence. The student pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed.
The airplane departed Albuquerque, N.M., and flew west for about an hour and 50 minutes before the flight track data ended near an area of heavy precipitation and moderate turbulence. Near the end of the track data, the airplane made a 270-degree left turn, followed by a steep descending right turn. The debris field was about two miles long, and consisted of sections of both wings and the empennage. The left flap and the rudder were not located.
September 14, 2022, Conway, S.C.
Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III
The airplane was destroyed at about 1222 Eastern time as the pilot attempted an off-airport landing after reporting total engine failure. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Shortly after departure, the pilot reported to ATC that he was having problems with cockpit instrumentation resulting in difficulty maintaining assigned headings. He wanted to return to the departure airport and was not declaring an emergency. About 30 seconds later, the pilot reported loss of engine power, that he was unable to make it back to the departure airport and that he had identified an off-field landing area. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane but they heard no engine sound. The airplane impacted a tree and a powerline before coming to rest. A post-crash fire consumed much of the wreckage.
Examination revealed catastrophic failures of three of its four connecting rods. The left engine crankcase half was fractured inboard of the #4 cylinder mounting pad. During engine disassembly, a vacuum pump cover was found installed to the vacuum pump drive pad without a gasket. Maintenance records revealed the airplane had just undergone an avionics upgrade, which included removal of the vacuum system and installation of electronic flight instruments. The accident flight was the first one after the upgrades.
September 20, 2022, Pasco, Wash.
Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3
At about 0709 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it was unintentionally landed gear-up and then consumed by a post-landing fire. The pilot and nine passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the flight was otherwise uneventful. While on left base, he lowered flaps and extended the gear handle. He did not recall confirming whether the gear was down and locked, but reported there were no annunciations or aural warnings. The pilot noticed that the airplane floated longer than expected and, upon touchdown, realized that the landing gear was not extended. The airplane slid down the runway and came to a stop near its departure end. The pilot assisted passengers evacuating the airplane and reported a fire near the right engine. Shortly, the airplane was engulfed in flames.
