Piper PA-28-181 Archer
February 20, 2016, Port Jefferson, N.Y.
At 2305 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a ditching in the Setauket Harbor. The flight instructor, student and one passenger received minor injuries. One passenger is missing and presumed to be fatally injured at this writing. Night visual conditions prevailed.
While cruising at around 2000 feet msl, the engine “sputtered.” Turning on the electric fuel pump and switching the fuel selector to the left fuel tank stopped the sputtering. The flight chose to divert to an airport 10 nm south. Shortly, the engine sputtered again and lost power. The CFI took control of the airplane and declared an emergency, then turned 180 degrees right toward a shoreline for a forced landing. According to the NTSB, he ditched the airplane as close as he could to the shoreline. The pilots and passengers exited the aircraft, which eventually sank in eight feet of water at high tide. The two pilots and one passenger were rescued; the second passenger has not been found. There was no evidence of fuel in either the left or right fuel tanks, nor in the fuel strainer or carburetor float bowl. Records revealed the airplane had been operated 5.1 hours since it was last refueled.
Piper PA-28-151 Warrior
February 21, 2016, St. Augustine, Fla.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 2015 Eastern time by an engine fire after landing. The flight instructor and his pilot-rated student were not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed.
According to the flight instructor, the airplane’s engine stopped producing power during taxi immediately after landing. An engine restart was attempted, and the engine caught fire. The airplane was stopped, and both the instructor and the student successfully egressed. There was no fire extinguisher aboard the airplane.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
February 21, 2016, Willoughby, Ohio
After the CFI briefed a simulated engine failure on initial climb, the student pilot performed a short-field takeoff. After liftoff and retracting flaps at about 200 feet agl, the throttle was retarded to idle to simulate an engine failure. The student pilot twice was instructed to lower the nose of the airplane, but airspeed decayed to about 55 knots.
The sink rate was “high.” The CFI “moved the airplane to a flare attitude for landing” and applied full throttle. The airplane “touched down hard in a slightly tail-low attitude” and the nosewheel “struck the runway hard.” The flight instructor continued with the landing and taxied without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its firewall and rudder.
Mooney M20J 201
February 22, 2016, Pacoima, Calif.
At 1334 Pacific time, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff and made a forced landing onto a city street. The solo private pilot was not injured but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the engine started to run rough shortly after takeoff. As he was attempting to return to the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot was able to land on a city street, during which the airplane struck a moving car and numerous parked vehicles, substantially damaging both wings and the fuselage.
Cessna LC41-550FG TTx
February 23, 2016, Grand Junction, Colo.
The right main tire failed on landing at about 1810 Mountain time. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured but the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported that the landing touchdown was smooth, then the airplane suddenly veered to the right. Opposite braking was applied to no avail. The airplane struck a taxiway sign and collided with a ditch.
Cirrus Design SR22
February 23, 2016, Palatka, Fla.
At 1115 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after its airframe parachute was deployed following a partial loss of engine power. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later stated that, while in cruise flight at 7000 feet msl, he retarded the throttle “slightly” to descend and “power dropped dramatically, perhaps to idle.” He received vectors to the nearest airport, switched fuel tanks, adjusted the mixture, switched magnetos, and moved the throttle to full and back to idle again, all with no effect. When he determined that the airplane would not reach the airport, he deployed the airframe parachute system at about 1000 feet msl. Initial examination did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. With the engine still in the airframe, a test-run was performed. The engine started after two revolutions and ran continuously.
Cessna 152
February 24, 2016, Pembrook Pines, Fla.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1615 Eastern time during a forced landing to a road. The solo private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, the “valves were adjusted, and other maintenance” had been performed prior to the flight. After a “full preflight check,” the pilot flew over the airport at 1300 feet for about an hour. During the subsequent landing approach and about mile from the runway, the pilot noted a large power reduction, declared an emergency and landed on the road.
Beechcraft V35 Bonanza
February 27, 2016, Seymour, Ind.
At about 1125 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing on Interstate 65. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Day visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot estimated the right and left main fuel tanks contained about 30 gallons and 10 gallons, respectively, for the planned 46-minute flight. While en route at 5500 feet msl, the pilot switched from the right tank to the left one. After drawing fuel from the left tank for about 10 minutes, he switched back to the right one at top of descent but the engine began to run roughly. The pilot applied corrective actions, but the engine continued to run roughly, with occasional backfires and power surges. The pilot requested vectors toward an airport but executed a forced landing on the southbound lanes of Interstate 65. The left wing impacted a grass embankment after the airplane traversed into the median. After the airplane was recovered, the engine’s in-flight behavior was duplicated by placing the fuel selector between the right and left main fuel tank positions.
Beechcraft 95-C55 Baron
February 27, 2016, Casey, Ill.
The airplane impacted a field at about 0930 Central time while attempting to land. The pilot and passenger were not injured but the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot had difficulty locating the airport and extended his downwind leg to shed excessive speed. On base leg, one engine began losing power, followed by the other engine after turning on final approach. The airplane bounced twice before going off the end of a parallel taxiway. The airplane’s landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid in a muddy field about 1500 feet before coming to a stop. Examination revealed both propellers were feathered. There was no fuel in the left main or auxiliary tanks. The right main tank was completely full, while the right auxiliary tank was partially full. Both fuel selectors were on the main fuel tanks.
Beech 95-C55 Baron
February 27, 2016, Plymouth, Mass.
At 1430 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during an aborted landing. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions were reported near the accident site.
A witness saw the airplane performing touch-and-go landings and watched as it landed “hard and ballooned” back into the air. He then heard the engine sound increase to “full power.” As the airplane climbed to about 40 feet agl, its pitch angle increased until it rolled to the left. The left roll continued until the airplane reached an inverted attitude, then descended into the ground and cartwheeled 75 feet before coming to rest upside down. The cockpit area retained much of its occupiable space and all major components remained attached to the airframe. There was no post-impact fire.
Cessna 182 Skylane
February 28, 2016, Gainesville, Fla.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1200 Eastern time when it experienced a total loss of engine power and was force-landed to a road. The commercial pilot and passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
After reaching the destination, the pilot was cleared to land when the engine began to run “rough.” The engine began shaking, oil sprayed onto the windshield and the engine lost all power. The pilot declared an emergency and landed on the road. The left wing impacted a palm tree. Examination revealed a hole in the top of the crankcase near the No. 4 cylinder. The No. 4 cylinder connecting rod was located on top of the engine.
Cirrus Design SR22
February 29, 2016, Laguna Pueblo, N.M.
At about 1325 Mountain time, the airplane descended under the airframe parachute’s canopy and impacted terrain. The instrument-rated private pilot received serious injuries and three passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
About an hour into the flight, the engine reportedly began losing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude; then the engine quit. The wind forced the airplane into some trees before it came to rest inverted.
Van’s RV-6A Experimental
March 1, 2016, Abilene, Texas
The airplane was destroyed at about 0830 Central time when it impacted terrain during takeoff. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness saw the airplane drift slightly right (east) shortly after takeoff in a wings-level, climbing attitude. A turn to the west with a bank angle of more than 30 degrees began and the aircraft’s nose pitched up, followed by an immediate nose-down spin to the left. The airplane came to rest about 189 feet and 330 degrees from the departure end of Runway 36. On-scene examination revealed fluid consistent with fuel was found in the fuel line routed to the engine-driven fuel pump and in the line to the carburetor.
Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
March 1, 2016, Brunswick, Ga.
At 1515 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after a nose gear collapse during landing. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
As the airplane touched down on its main landing gear, the landing appeared to be normal. Then, as the nose gear touched down, the pilot heard a “pop” and began “losing control of the nose.” As the nose continued to drop, he applied aft pressure on the control wheel and attempted to maintain directional control until the airplane came to a stop. He then instructed the passengers to evacuate, performed the emergency procedures for shutdown and egressed the airplane. Examination revealed crush damage to the nose landing gear bay, a deformed firewall, dented wing leading edges and compression buckling of the fuselage.
Cessna 150G
March 2, 2016, Simmesport, La.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1500 Central time during a forced landing to a field. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the student pilot, while in cruise flight at 4500 feet msl, the engine lost power and deposited oil over the front windscreen. During the forced landing to a plowed field, the airplane nosed over, resulting in damage to the fuselage.
Cirrus Design SR22
March 5, 2016, Hauppauge, N.Y.
At about 1508 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it descended to terrain under the airframe parachute’s canopy following a total loss of engine power. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
During cruise flight, the engine sputtered twice, then went quiet. He switched fuel tanks, but the engine would not restart. The pilot deployed the airframe parachute and the airplane landed in a lawn. Examination found the fuel tanks contained fuel but the engine revealed evidence of valve strikes to the top surfaces of all six pistons.
Mooney M20C Mark 21
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Pottstown, Penn.
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1310 Eastern time during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power during initial climb, The solo private pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
An annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane; this was its first flight since the inspection was completed. The airplane was observed to conduct a normal takeoff, the landing gear was observed to retract and the airplane was observed to climb. The engine then was heard to “cut out” and “surge.” At approximately 300 feet agl, the airplane began to turn right. The airplane then rapidly lost altitude, leveled off and bounced down onto a grass area on the north side of a runway. A witness noted the fuel selector was selected to the left tank, the key was in the “BOTH” position, the electric boost pump was on and the mixture was in the full rich position.
Van’s RV-8 Experimental
March 12, 2016, Clermont, Fla.
At about 0847 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground. The private pilot and the pilot-rated rear-seat passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to preliminary radar data, the airplane was flying in a southwesterly direction at approximately 2220 feet msl when it began a climbing left turn to about 2600 feet. The last few targets showed a rapidly decreasing airspeed. Multiple witnesses reported hearing an airplane with a rough-running engine sound. A nearby flight of three airplanes reported hearing the pilot of an “RV airplane” report he had “lost his engine.” A witness stated the engine was not making any noise as the airplane made a 180-degree turn over a field and then descended out of sight in a nose-low attitude. The airplane was located in an open field adjacent to a residential area.
Cessna 210L Centurion
March 19, 2016, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The airplane sustained substantial damage at 1020 Eastern time when its main landing gear collapsed during a precautionary landing. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
About 10 minutes after takeoff, with the landing gear and flaps fully retracted, the pilot diagnosed an alternator failure and told ATC he wanted to return. The pilot was cleared to return to the departure airport. Shortly after he turned back to the airport, he lost all electrical power. The adult passenger called the control tower via a cellphone and controllers cleared him to land. The pilot said he attempted to pump the landing gear down with the emergency gear extension handle, but it would not fully extend. Only the nosewheel extended to what appeared to be the fully down and locked position. The pilot later stated 45-47 pumps of the emergency gear extension handle typically were required to move the gear into the down and locked position. During the accident flight, after about 10 pumps, he could sense there was no hydraulic pressure in the system.
