November 1, 2013, Caledonia, Minn. Piper PA 23-250 Aztec
At around 1515 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain. There were no reported witnesses to the accident. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured; one passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed.
Prior to reaching the destination, the pilot was cleared for the GPS-A approach and then canceled IFR at about 1405. There were no reported distress calls from the pilot. The airplane came to rest about 590 feet northeast of the destination’s runway, in an open soybean field. The ground scars and wreckage was consistent with a right-wing down impact.
November 1, 2013, Springdale, Ark. Beech C90 King Air
The airplane impacted terrain four miles southeast of the airport at 1742 Central time. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
While en route, the pilot changed his destination, stating he was low on fuel, and diverted to the nearest airport, at his 12 o’clock position and four miles. Approximately 30 seconds after being cleared to land, the pilot advised he was not going to make the airport. No further transmissions were received from the pilot.
A witness saw the airplane descend, pull up abruptly and impact the ground in a right wing-low, nose-low attitude. Examination revealed no ground scars, only impact ground gouges. The right wing was destroyed. No fuel was observed in the left wing or nacelle tanks. The landing gear and flaps were retracted. Propeller signatures indicate the propellers were not feathered.
November 1, 2013, Reno, Nev. Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21 UM
At about 0940 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a runway overrun. The solo commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot subsequently reported applying maximum braking after landing. The airplane slowed faster than normal and the pilot released the brakes for about 1000 feet. The pilot reapplied brakes with no braking action noted and then applied the emergency brake, with no response noted. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway, traveled down an embankment and came to rest upright.
November 2, 2013, Superior, Wis. Cessna 182L Skylane/185F Skywagon
The Cessna 182 was destroyed at about 1800 Central time when it was struck by the Cessna 185 and experienced an in-flight breakup during a formation skydiving flight. The four skydivers and the pilot in the Cessna 182 jumped free of the airplane and deployed their parachutes. The pilot received minor injuries and the four skydivers were not injured.
The Cessna 185 sustained substantial damage during the collision, but its pilot was able to maintain control and land. The five skydivers in the Cessna 185F jumped free of the airplane during the collision, deployed their parachutes and were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
November 5, 2013 in Kirksville, Mo. Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga
At about 1912 Central time, the airplane collided with trees and terrain during an instrument approach. The flight instructor and private pilot were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Instrument conditions existed and an IFR flight plan was in effect.
The airplane was cleared for a GPS approach and a frequency change to the CTAF. Personnel at the airport stated the airplane checked in, and was given wind and altimeter information. When the airplane did not land, local authorities began searching for it. The wreckage was located in a wooded area four miles north-northeast of the airport.
November 7, 2013, Mokuleia, Hawaii Cessna 305A/O-1A Bird Dog
The airplane was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at about 1315 Hawaii time. The airplane was being operated as a glider tow flight. The solo pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot subsequently stated the airplane came to an abrupt stop and nosed over during the landing roll, receiving substantial damage to the rudder, plus both wings and lift struts. He said there were no pre-accident mechanical anomalies. An FAA aviation safety inspector examined the airplane at the accident site, noting the right brake was locked up and the wheel/tire assembly could not be rotated.
November 7, 2013, Carefree, Ariz. Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
At about 1240 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when the nosegear collapsed during landing. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was in effect.
The pilot subsequently stated that during the landing roll, when he applied the brakes, the left pedal went to the floor. He attempted to control the airplane with right brake and left rudder. As the airplane slowed, the rudder became ineffective, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane struck a berm and the nose landing gear collapsed. During the accident, the engine firewall received substantial damage. The pilot said there were no pre-accident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The airplane’s annual inspection had been performed three days earlier, during which the brake master cylinders had been rebuilt.
November 10, 2013, Owasso, Okla. Mitsubishi MU-2B-25
The airplane impacted wooded terrain while maneuvering at about 1546 Central time. The solo commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
The airplane had been cleared to land and was instructed to slow to 150 knots. The pilot acknowledged the clearance and speed reduction. Radar data showed the airplane on a straight-in approach. After passing the outer marker, the airplane began a left turn. When ATC queried the pilot, he reported a control problem. The left turn continued, and the controller then cleared the pilot to maneuver to the west and asked if he needed assistance. The pilot informed the controller that the left engine was shut down. The controller then declared an emergency for the pilot and asked about the number of souls aboard, and fuel remaining. No further communications were received from the pilot. Radar data showed the airplane completed a 360-degree left turn near the outer marker at 1100 feet msl, then radar contact was lost.
Witnesses observed the airplane in a shallow left turn, at reported altitudes ranging from 400 to 800 feet agl. During the turn, the landing gear was in the extended position, and one engine propeller appeared not to be rotating. The airplane continued in a left turn and the wings began to rock back and forth at a 10- to 15-degree bank angle. The airplane was observed to then make a right turn, followed by a left turn, and then a steep spiral to the left. The airplane disappeared from the witnesses’ view as it descended.
The left engine propeller blades were found in a feathered position; the landing gear was found in the extended position, with flaps in the 20-degree position. Post-impact fire consumed a majority of the fuselage and wing structure. At 1553, weather observed five miles south of the accident site, included wind from 140 degrees at six knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 9000 feet msl, temperature 19 degrees C, dew point six degrees C and an altimeter setting of 30.26 inches Hg.
November 11, 2013, Amarillo, Texas
Beech B36TC Turbocharged Bonanza
At about 0055 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a missed approach. The non-instrument-rated private pilot and two passengers received fatal injuries. Night instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
The accident flight was the fourth of the day for the pilot. After a brief hold, the flight was cleared for an RNAV approach, which it missed. The pilot then flew an ILS procedure and attempted to execute its missed approach, but the airplane departed radar contact and impacted terrain. Weather in the area was widely report to include ¼ mile visibility; fog; sky obscured; vertical visibility 100 feet. The pilot’s reported total flight time in October 2013 was 410 hours.
November 11, 2013, Homestead, Fla.
Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0830 Eastern time during a forced landing after experiencing a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The student pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported he was in cruise flight when he felt a slight engine vibration, which intensified. The pilot elected to divert to a nearby airport but the engine “began coming apart,” with pieces striking the underside of the cowling. The pilot performed a forced landing in the Everglades National Park; the airplane came to rest in shallow water and sustained substantial damage.
November 12, 2013, Junction, Texas
Cessna T310R
At about 0950 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain. A post-impact fire ensued. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed in the area; the flight operated without a flight plan. The flight’s departure point, departure time and destination were unknown.
One witness described the airplane and engine noise being consistent with the airplane flying in circles. Several witnesses heard the engine noise increase like the airplane was descending, followed by a loud boom or the sound of an impact. The witnesses reported seeing black smoke followed by white smoke, which quickly dissipated due to the winds. The wreckage was located at an elevation of 2000 feet msl, and the wreckage and debris was distributed along a heading of 121 degrees.
November 14, 2013, Erie, Colo.
Quicksilver MX II Sport
The airplane landed hard and collided with terrain at 1139 Mountain time, following a loss of engine power. The solo sport pilot was not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported had been making touch-and-go landings for about an hour before the engine lost power after takeoff and he turned back towards the runway. The airplane landed hard and the right wing struck the ground. The wing’s leading edge was crushed and several ribs were broken.
November 15, 2013, Marshfield, Mass.
Maule M-5-180C
At about 1545 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with trees following a loss of engine power while on initial climb. The solo airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The accident flight was the first flight after an annual inspection had been completed on the airplane. Witnesses reported the pilot radioed that he was returning to the airport due to a rough-running engine. The airplane then banked left and descended into trees. Following the impact with trees, a post-crash fire consumed the wreckage.
November 16, 2013, Anahuac, Texas
Dragonfly Experimental Gyroplane
The amateur-built gyroplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 1300 Central time. The solo pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Witnesses reportedly saw the rotor head separate in flight. The pilot had recently installed the rotor head, and preliminary reports indicate the rotor head bearing block was installed upside down.
November 17, 2013, Kenansville, N.C.
Focke-Wulf FWP.149D
At about 0555 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on approach. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot was recorded accessing a nearby airport’s ramp area at 0525. The airplane then departed at 0543. A lineman at the departure airport reported weather at the time was “very foggy.” The airplane wreckage was located ¾ mile northeast of the destination airport’s Runway 23 in a heavily wooded area. The debris path was on a 230-degree magnetic heading and 100 yards in length.
