Unusual Incidents

VIA AIR FLIGHT SCHOOL

UNUSUAL INCIDENTS

This page lists incidents and/or accidents that are too crazy to believe but they are true. These are right from the FAA's files.

Accident occurred Friday, June 06, 1997 at OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Aircraft:Beech 58, registration: N22SS
Injuries: 2 Minor.

During the takeoff roll the airplane overran the departure end of the runway. The aircraft traveled 600 to 800 feet impacting the localizer antenna, and continued approximately 100 feet impacting the airport perimeter fence. It continued across a ditch and road coming to rest 50 feet south of the road. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator was not installed.
According to the owner, he was having the airplane refurbished, and the elevator had been removed for painting on June 1,1997. According to blood samples taken at the hospital about one hour 12 minutes after the accident, the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration of 180 mg/dl. The pilot and passenger were not authorized by the owner to use the airplane. The pilot's commercial certificate was revoked seven years prior for stealing an airplane.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol which led to an attempted takeoff in an airplane without an elevator installed.

Accident occurred Monday, June 08, 1998 at BUCKEYE, AZ
Aircraft:Fones Z-MAX 1300, registration: N140FF
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

The pilot reported that the engine temperature began to increase and he decided to make a precautionary landing in an open field. He later stated that he landed in that area so he could buy a drink from the local grocery store. During the landing rollout, the aircraft impacted an area of high brush. The aircraft nosed over and broke in half aft of the cockpit. The pilot holds a student pilot certificate/third-class medical dated December 3, 1993. The pilot reported that he has approximately 67 hours of total flight time, including 37 hours in the accident aircraft. An FAA inspector examined the pilot's logbook and reported that the logbook showed approximately 30 hours of flight instruction dating back to 1993, as well as a tail wheel aircraft endorsement made by a certified flight instructor approximately 5-6 months prior to the accident. The aircraft has no airworthiness certificate, nor is there an application for one.

The FAA inspector conducted an examination of the airplane and reported that the aircraft was constructed primarily of plywood and fabric. The seat belts were out of a Chevy van and were held together with wooden screws. The shoulder harnesses were backpack straps. There was a coffee can welded to the exhaust with holes poked in it. The inspector found no evidence of engine overheating.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing approach, and his poor in-flight planning in making an off-airport landing at an unsuitable landing area.