September 1, 2013, Osage Beach, Mo. Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar
Prior to departure, the pilot checked the weather and noted a storm was moving toward the area, so he needed to depart as soon as possible. During takeoff and while in ground effect, the airplane encountered a wind gust that pushed down the airplane’s left wing. The pilot regained control and continued to climb in order to clear trees near the end of the runway. The airplane encountered another gust and the pilot attempted to compensate. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Neither the pilot nor his passenger suffered injuries.
September 1, 2013, Boulder, Colo. Cessna 182 Skylane
At about 1100 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was ditched into a lake following loss of engine power. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot had flown a group of skydivers to altitude and was returning for landing. The airplane was on final approach when the engine lost power. His attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful and he subsequently ditched into a lake short of the runway. He reported a clear sky with a light and variable wind.
September 1, 2013, Sisters, Ore. Flight Design CTSW
The airplane lost engine power and landed short of its destination at about 1800 Pacific time. The solo sport pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and lower right fuselage. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported encountering strong headwinds and low clouds during the flight. Subsequently, he landed at a private airstrip approximately seven miles east of his destination to check the airplane’s fuel levels. Estimating he had sufficient fuel for approximately 30 more minutes of flight, he departed. As he approached his destination, the engine “sputtered” and stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a field.
September 2, 2013, Pearsall, Texas Champion 7GCB Challenger
At about 1600 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a go-around. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, the rudder cable broke in flight. The pilot was able to return to the airport and align the airplane to land but, during the landing flare, the airplane began to drift. The pilot initiated a go-around, stalled the airplane and subsequently impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged.
September 2, 2013, Lenox Twp., Penn. Cessna T-50 Bobcat
The airplane was destroyed at about 2100 Eastern time when it collided with trees and terrain while maneuvering to land. The airline transport pilot and private pilot were fatally injured, and the airplane was consumed by a post-crash fire. Night instrument conditions prevailed.
A witness described the night of the accident as dark and stated there was a severe electrical storm in the area. He saw the airplane flying “just above the trees” and through the valley, below the surrounding ridgelines. He reported it flew eastbound over his house, then returned, heading west, before flying out of view in the direction of “an enormous black cloud with lightning flashing out of it.”
The pilot had received a weather briefing and was advised that VFR flight was not recommended in the area surrounding his home airport. A Sigmet was in effect for the area at the time of the accident.
September 2, 2013, Mitchellville, Md. Mooney M20C
At about 1540 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during takeoff. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Two witnesses were traveling in separate vehicles on a highway perpendicular to the airplane’s departure path. Both witnesses reported that the airplane crossed the highway at a low altitude. One of the witnesses added that the airplane’s “nose appeared higher than its tail” before it descended to about 10 feet agl and impacted trees. Investigation revealed the landing gear was extended and wing flaps were in the full-down position. Observed weather approximately five miles northwest of the accident site included calm wind and a temperature of 32 degrees C (90 degrees F).
September 5, 2013, Glennallen, Alaska Cessna 170B
The airplane sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and a subsequent impact with tundra-covered terrain at about 1954 Alaska time. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot took off to search for a moose he had shot and killed. A witness observed the airplane at approximately 80 to 100 feet agl, traveling at an estimated 45 mph. It began a left turn and the nose of the airplane pitched down abruptly and it began to spin. The airplane subsequently descended vertically, nose first, and collided with terrain.
September 8, 2013, Shellman Bluff, Ga. Cessna 172B Skyhawk
The pilot reported he was landing at a private airport after a cross-country flight. During the landing flare, just prior to touchdown, a small deer ran onto the runway toward the airplane. The pilot increased engine power and attempted to climb. However, the deer struck and substantially damaged the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reduced engine power and subsequently landed on the runway without further incident.
September 8, 2013, Guntersville, Ala. Piper PA-32R-300 Lance
At about 1700 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a lake short of a runway. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries.
The flight departed with about 20 gallons of fuel in each wing and the fuel selector positioned to the left tank. About 40 to 45 minutes into the flight and while returning to the departure airport, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right tank. About 15 minutes after switching tanks, the engine quit. The pilot turned toward a nearby airport, switched tanks and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but engine power was not restored.
While on final approach, with the flaps retracted, the airplane was slowed to the point that the automatic system extended the landing gear and the pilot landed the airplane in water about 100 yards from land. The airplane came to rest in three to four feet of water.
September 8, 2013, Woodstock, Conn. Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250
The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 1500 Eastern time during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the planned 18 nm flight.
The pilot stated he found each wing fuel tank contained five gallons of fuel during the pre-flight inspection. Approximately four miles from the destination, at 2500 feet msl, he heard something contact the propeller, then impact the windscreen. The engine began to run rough, and the pilot switched the fuel selector from the left wing tank to the right wing tank. The engine continued to run rough and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a cornfield, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
September 8, 2013, Doylestown, Penn. Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo
At about 1030 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged in a runway excursion. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Following a normal landing, the left brake pedal went to the floor, and there was no braking action on the left side. He tried pumping the brakes to regain left braking action, but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, into the grass. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. Examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar, and the left brake was not operational.
September 13, 2013, Princeton, Minn. Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
The flight instructor and student were flying S-turns over a road at 1000 feet agl when a bald eagle struck the right horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor took the controls, declared an emergency and proceeded to land at the nearest airport. The control yoke was “buffeting,” but the engine continued to run smoothly. On final approach, the flight instructor noticed the rudder controls were impaired; however, the wind was calm so the landing was without incident. Examination revealed a large indentation on the right horizontal stabilizer with embedded bird feathers. The right side of the horizontal stabilizer was canted. In addition, the tail cone had been pushed upward and was in contact with the rudder, impeding its movement.
September 15, 2013, Lund, Nev. Mooney M20J Mooney 201
At about 0815 Pacific time, the airplane collided with power lines. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The flight’s purpose was to monitor a race course at the Silver State Classic Challenge Road Race. The airplane was about 1000 feet agl when the engine lost power. While attempting to make an emergency landing, the engine regained power but the airplane then collided with power lines. The power lines separated from the airplane and the pilot continued his climbout. The airplane subsequently landed without further incident. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s left aileron sustained substantial damage.
September 20, 2013, Hamilton Township, N.J. Vans RV7A Experimental
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1651 Eastern time when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to preliminary radar data, the airplane took off at approximately 1640, turned to an approximate heading of 120 degrees and climbed to an altitude of 6500 feet msl. Approximately 13 minutes later, the airplane turned to a southeasterly heading, then rapidly lost altitude while reversing direction. It then descended through 300 feet msl and was lost from radar.
Witnesses observed the airplane traveling in a northwesterly direction. “Pieces” of the airplane were observed to fall to the ground. Examination revealed wreckage was distributed over approximately one mile, and contained three distinct areas of debris: the rudder’s lower half, the left wingtip, cockpit canopy and remainder of the tail assembly, and the fuselage, engine and wings.
September 23, 2013, Williams, Calif. Vans RV6 Experimental
The airplane collided with high-tension power lines and then impacted terrain at 1857 Pacific time. The solo pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness reported seeing the airplane flying northbound very low and fast. The airplane disappeared behind a hill, and then he saw black smoke rising from behind the hill. Examination revealed the lowest wire of a high-tension power line was broken and a fragment of the airplane was hanging from the next-higher power line. The main wreckage was located 300 yards north of the power lines and had been subjected to a post-crash fire.
September 24, 2013, Urbana, Ind. Beech B33 Debonair
At about 0920 Eastern time, the airplane’s pilot conducted a forced landing in a field. The pilot received minor injuries; one passenger received serious injuries and another passenger was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, the airplane experienced engine issues while en route. He elected to conduct a forced landing into a bean field. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the engine’s propeller separated in flight.
