February 1, 2005, Shallotte, N.C.
Cessna T210M
At 1857 Eastern time, the airplane collided with trees and power lines in the vicinity of Shallotte, N.C., while maneuvering during a forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was destroyed, and there was a posr-crash fire. The Private pilot reported minor injuries; the Private pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The flight originated from Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 1, 2005, at 1615. The airplane had been in cruise flight at 3000 feet, receiving flight following from ATC, when engine power decreased to idle. As the pilot was making a Mayday call, he lost sight of a highway on which he planned to land. He made a steep turn to the left, reacquired the highway and continued the forced landing. The right wing of the airplane collided with a tree and the ground.
February 1, 2005, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Cessna 172RG
Neither the Private pilot receiving instruction nor his CFI were injured during a hard landing at about 0850 Eastern time. The airplane sustained substantial damage, following a simulated loss of engine power during takeoff and subsequent emergency landing after takeoff. The pilots accident report stated, in part: I taxied onto the runway, aligned the aircraft with the center line … as airspeed increased with our ground roll, I rotated the aircraft at 60 KIAS. To simulate an engine failure, the CFI reduced the throttle. I lowered the nose [and attempted] to flare the aircraft before contact with the runway. Subsequently, a hard landing was made, and the aircraft stopped.
February 3, 2005, Alexandria, La.
Ercoupe 415-C
At 1610 Central time, the airplane was destroyed upon impacting terrain following a loss of control in the airport traffic pattern. The Commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight originated near Pascagoula, Miss. A witness who was located on the airport reported that he observed the airplane fly steadily over a tree line, with no erratic movements. As the airplane descended to an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the airplane went into an approximate 20 degree nose-down attitude and impacted the terrain.
February 4, 2005, Niles, Mich.
Beech BE-58
The airplane was destroyed when it departed from cruise flight at 0920 Eastern time and impacted terrain. The Commercial pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. The flight departed Sheboygan, Wis., at 0738 and was en route to Lebanon, Ohio. Ground fog was present in the area of the accident site; however, the airplane was in visual conditions on an IFR flight plan at its cruise altitude. Radar track data indicate that, at 0919:42, the airplane was on a heading of 135 degrees at 7000 feet msl. At 1419:47, radar data indicate the airplane at 6900 feet msl, and descending. At 1420:02, the airplane was at 3400 feet msl. No further radar contact with the airplane was recorded.At 0920, the surface weather observation at Benton Harbor, Mich., about 20 nm northwest of the accident site, included wind from 140 degrees at three knots, two statute miles of visibility in mist and clear skies. All major components of the aircraft were found at the accident site. Flight control continuity could not be established due to impact forces.
February 5, 2005, Minneapolis, Minn.
Robinson R44
At 1700 Central time, the helicopter collided with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering and was substantially damaged. The Commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported he was landing on a cart when the accident occurred. He reported the helicopter touched down, and he was attempting to raise the helicopter to center it on the cart, when a gust of wind caused the helicopter to roll to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The pilot stated the cart is approximately six to eight inches high. He also stated that when the helicopter is centered on the cart there is approximately one foot of clearance between the outside of each skid and the edge of the cart. The local winds reported at the time of the accident were from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots.
February 5, 2005, Norwich, N.Y.
Beech V35B
The Bonanza was destroyed at about 1242 Eastern time when it impacted terrain while its pilot was attempting to execute a forced landing. The Private pilot was fatally injured; visual conditions prevailed. A witness reported no engine anomalies and plenty of fuel aboard the airplane. Local weather was beautiful: wind calm, sky clear, and no visible moisture. Other witnesses reported that while the airplane was on the downwind leg, the engine started running rough, and it appeared the pilot may have been maneuvering to land on a road. One witness stated that when the airplane was approximately 90 feet agl, it did a half a barrel roll before impacting the ground. According to maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1976, was equipped with the original engine, and no record of the engine being overhauled was identified.
February 6, 2005, Norden, Calif.
Cirrus Design Corp SR22 G2
At about 1820 Pacific time, the airplane impacted mountainous terrain after encountering icing conditions. The Private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Instrument conditions prevailed at the airplanes cruise altitude and an IFR flight plan had been filed. After taking off from Reno, Nev., the airplane climbed to a Mode-C altitude of 16,100 feet msl. The target leveled off and maintained 16,100 feet msl for about three minutes, 40 seconds.Radar data showed that the target initiated a climb and attained 16,700 feet msl. The last 12 seconds of recorded radar data indicated that the target was in a descent. Radar contact was lost at 18:17:29, at a Mode C reported altitude of 15,700 feet msl. During the flight, the pilot reported to ATC that he was in icing conditions and was not able to maintain altitude. Factory representatives examined the recovered components of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and determined the system was activated well above the design limits, and at a very high airspeed.
February 9, 2005, Port Alsworth, Alaska
Cessna U206
The wheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage when it collided with the ice-covered surface of Lake Clark and sank at about 1110 Alaska time. The Commercial pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the remaining three passengers received fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed at the accident site. The accident pilot later reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. He related he was flying low, a few hundred feet above the lake in blowing snow and whiteout conditions, when the airplane collided with the surface of the lake. The accident airplane sank in water estimated at 800 feet deep.
February 8, 2005, Concord, N.C.
Piper PA-32-300
At 1812 Eastern time, the airplane descended into a rock quarry while maneuvering for a forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed; the pilot reported minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, at an attitude of approximately 2000 feet, and five miles out from Runway 20, the engine began to lose power. The pilot switched from the left main fuel tank to the right one. Engine power was regained for a brief moment and then started to decrease again. The pilot switched from the right main tank to the auxiliary tip tanks, and noted no increase in engine power.
February 10, 2005, Indianapolis, Ind.
Gulfstream American 690C
The airplane was substantially damaged during a runway excursion while landing at 1446 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed; there were no injuries. The pilot later reported a right crosswind during approach and landing. He stated the landing was normal, on centerline and that touchdown was at the 1000-foot runway markings. As the nose lowered the aircraft veered sharply to the left. He reportedly held full right rudder and right aileron but the aircraft did not respond. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, struck a runway light and came to rest in the muddy grass area next to the runway pavement. A post-accident inspection did not reveal any anomalies with the nose wheel steering and rudder control systems.
February 12, 2005, Marion, Miss.
Twente Pitts Model 12
At about 1530 Central time, the airplane was destroyed after colliding with terrain while maneuvering. The Commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the the pilot had been doing aerobatics. One witness said the airplane pulled out of a loop, rolled abruptly left, and then dove into the ground.
