Thursday, June 03, 2021

Aeronca 15AC, N1301H: Incident occurred May 31, 2021 in Seldovia, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aircraft was taxiing and struck Cessna 170B, N707RE, which was parked. 


Date: 31-MAY-21
Time: 05:30:00Z
Regis#: N1301H
Aircraft Make: AERONCA
Aircraft Model: 15AC
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: SELDOVIA
State: ALASKA

Cessna 172G, N3871L: Accident occurred June 02, 2021 in Nevada City, Nevada County, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada 

Location: Nevada City, CA 
Accident Number: WPR21LA224
Date & Time: June 2, 2021, 10:00 Local
Registration: N3871L
Aircraft: Cessna 172G
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 02, 2021, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N3871L, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Nevada City, California. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the reposition flight was conducted in preparation for the sale of the airplane. The airplane departed Sutter County Airport, in Yuba City, California, with the destination of Reno, Nevada. During the initial climb, about 6,500 ft mean sea level (msl), the pilot noticed that the airplane’s engine oil temperature gauge needle was in the red. He attempted to troubleshoot the anomaly by cycling the carburetor heat and increasing the mixture to rich. Subsequently, he decreased the engine power, which reduced the engine oil temperature below the red line. The adjusted power setting allowed the airplane to continue climbing up to the pilot’s selected altitude of 9,500 ft msl. Nevertheless, about 8,500 ft msl, the pilot heard a change in the engine noise and confirmed a loss of power by watching the engine RPM gradually decrease.

Again, the pilot began to troubleshoot the anomaly by confirming that the fuel selector was in the “Both” position and he adjusted the mixture control. Additionally, he ensured that the carburetor heat was in the off position and he increased the throttle to produce the maximum engine power. Unable to maintain altitude, he declared an emergency and initiated an approach to a clear area within the mountainous terrain. During the approach, the airplane’s right wing struck tree-tops, and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane touched in a side loaded attitude and the left main landing gear collapsed. On the ground, the airplane continued to rotate in a counterclockwise manner, and came to rest with the nose of the airplane heading 180° opposite the landing direction. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower fuselage.

According to the pilot, the airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-300D reciprocating engine with nearly 1,850 hours of operation. He recalled that two years prior to the accident, getting the engine to start became an issue and the carburetor was replaced. The most recent airplane maintenance conducted was an annual inspection completed December of 2020. 

During the annual, the left and the right engine magnetos were replaced. He reported that the replacement of the magnetos occurred because consistently, an excessive number of attempts were conducted to start the airplane’s engine. He asserted that on many occasions after refueling the airplane, the engine would not restart, and that the battery would have to be recharged as a result of the numerous attempts.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N3871L
Model/Series: 172G 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBLU,5283 ft msl
Observation Time: 09:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Yuba City, CA (O52)
Destination: Reno, NV (RNO)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.413003,-120.74969 (est)

Pilot AJ Hyatt and his friend Jerry Jaeger



YUBA CITY (CBS13) – In a story of survival, two men were able to walk away after their plane crashed in rural Nevada County.

The engine of the plane suddenly died as they were headed to Reno. The men spoke with CBS13 about their very close call, which happened Wednesday morning.

At around 7 a.m., AJ Hyatt and his friend Jerry Jaeger were at an airport in Yuba City. Hyatt says he had flown the plane just a day prior and didn’t experience any issues. Both men were still in shock Thursday, astounded how both were able to walk away.

“His piloting was excellent in this situation,” Jaeger said.

Hyatt was too humble to credit his own bravery and skill. While in the air, Hyatt noticed the engine on his plane getting hot.

“Just as we got to 85, the engine gave a kind of burp and Jerry said ‘What the hell,’ ” Hyatt said. “We are both scared spitless because we are over some really bad country.”

Hyatt immediately called traffic control, who instructed him to land at blue canyon about 12 miles away – but he knew that wasn’t possible.

“So we are just going to have to put it somewhere and give up the airplane but survive,” he said.

Knowing options for landing were limited to trees and mountains, the pair spotted a small patch of brush.

“So I said, ‘Jerry, we are going to have to go in,’ ” Hyatt said.

They prayed for the best, keeping their faith as their focus.

“Just as I was just coming, the wing tip on the right side clipped a tree and that slung us around,” Hyatt said.

He believes the tree and brush helped soften their landing by absorbing the impact. Both miraculously were able to walk away and return home to their wives.

“The first thing Jerry said after vegetation settled was ‘Thank you for saving my life, today is my anniversary,’ ” Hyatt said with a laugh. “Of course I was glad to save his life and save my own as well, even though I regretted losing the airplane.”

“Just astounding how well it worked out compared to how it might have been,” Hyatt added.

Hyatt and Jaeger do plan on flying together again. Hyatt hopes to speak with the National Transportation Safety Board to find out why the engine gave out.

Airbus A321, N367DN: Incident occurred June 02, 2021 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL), Georgia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aircraft struck several birds on departure. 

Delta Air Lines Inc


Date: 02-JUN-21
Time: 14:30:00Z
Regis#: N367DN
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS
Aircraft Model: A321
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA AIRLINES
Flight Number: DAL1910
City: ATLANTA
State: GEORGIA

Piper PA-28-161, N222ND: Incident occurred June 02, 2021 at Laurence G. Hanscom Field (KBED), Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boston, Massachusetts

Aircraft attempting to takeoff veered off runway into the grass striking a runway light. 

Plane Nonsense Inc


Date: 02-JUN-21
Time: 21:27:00Z
Regis#: N222ND
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: BEDFORD
State: MASSACHUSETTS

Cessna R172E Skyhawk, N7873N: Incident occurred June 02, 2021 at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (KABQ), Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Aircraft landed and veered off runway. 

United States Air Force

Kirtland AFB Aero Club


Date: 02-JUN-21
Time: 16:08:00Z
Regis#: N7873N
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ALBUQUERQUE
State: NEW MEXICO

Piper PA-28-181, N722ND: Incidents occurred November 20, 2021 and June 02, 2021 at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), North Dakota

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fargo, North Dakota

November 20, 2021:
Aircraft struck a fuel truck during taxi for departure.

UND Aerospace Foundation
Date: 20-NOV-21
Time: 18:40:00Z
Regis#: N722ND
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: FAR 141 PILOT SCHOOL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: GRAND FORKS
State: NORTH DAKOTA

June 02, 2021:  Aircraft landed and veered off runway into the grass. 

UND Aerospace Foundation


Date: 02-JUN-21
Time: 20:05:00Z
Regis#: N722ND
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: FAR 141 PILOT SCHOOL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GRAND FORKS
State: NORTH DAKOTA

Beech V35B Bonanza, N813CH: Incident occurred May 05, 2021 near Myrtle Creek Municipal Airport (16S), Douglas County, Oregon

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

Aircraft experienced an engine fire. 


Date: 05-MAY-21
Time: 20:50:00Z
Regis#: N813CH
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: V35
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: MYRTLE CREEK
State: OREGON

Piper PA-28-161, N2120J: Accident occurred June 02, 2021 at San Angelo Regional Airport (KSJT), Tom Green County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas


Location: San Angelo, TX
Accident Number: CEN21LA256
Date & Time: June 2, 2021, 20:50 Local
Registration: N2120J
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-161
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On June 2, 2021, about 2050 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N2120J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at San Angelo Regional Airport (SJT), San Angelo, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor stated that during landing rollout, he noticed the left wing lower as if the tire was flat, followed by the airplane veering left and scraping of the left wing. Initial examination of the fixed landing gear revealed the left strut was fractured and the left wing was substantially damaged. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N2120J
Model/Series: PA-28-161 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSJT,1916 ft msl 
Observation Time: 20:51 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: San Angelo, TX (SJT) 
Destination: San Angelo, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 31.356689,-100.49921 (est)

Cessna 172R Skyhawk, N2433S: Incident occurred May 31, 2021 at Winchester Regional Airport (KOKV), Frederick County, Virginia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Washington, District of Columbia

Aircraft landed hard and incurred a propeller strike. 

N2433S LLC


Date: 31-MAY-21
Time: 16:31:00Z
Regis#: N2433S
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: WINCHESTER
State: VIRGINIA

Beech 1900C, N219VP: Accident occurred June 02, 2021 at Denver International Airport (KDEN), Colorado

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado Alpine Air Express; Provo, Utah

Alpine Aviation Inc


Location: Denver, CO
Accident Number: CEN21LA248
Date & Time: June 2, 2021, 20:00 Local 
Registration: N219VP
Aircraft: Beech 1900
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled

On June 2, 2021, at 2000 mountain daylight time, a Beech 1900, N219VP, was involved in an accident near Denver, Colorado. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated by Alpine Air Express under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 135 on-demand cargo flight.

The pilot stated that on final approach to Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado, he received a landing clearance near the final approach for runway 17R. He said that he lowered the landing gear, placed the propeller controls forward, confirmed that the landing gear position indicator lights illuminated green, and completed the before landing checklist. He said he felt the drag associated with the gear extended, but the airplane was not slowing as much as usual. He said that he planned his approach to land at the furthest point of the touchdown zone to clear the runway for traffic in trail. He said that over the runway threshold, an aircraft made a comment to check gear down. He believed that the air traffic control tower also told him to check that the landing gear was down. He said he looked at the landing gear control handle and confirmed three green while the airplane was touching down. He said the landing was smooth and felt normal. He said the airplane settled onto the runway and within a few seconds, the propellers impacted the ground. He said he still had some nose wheel steering and was able to steer the airplane onto the second high speed taxiway where the airplane came to a stop.

Airport surveillance video showed the airplane approach runway 17R with all the landing gear wheels fully retracted. All the landing gear wheels remained retracted while the airplane was over the runway and just prior to touchdown. Radar data showed the airplane’s approach speed was about 200 kts while flying over the approach end of runway 8 at an altitude of about 5,800 feet msl and while flying over taxiway ED at an altitude of about 5,500 ft msl. The speed was about 196 kts when flying over taxiway EC.

Postaccident photos of the airplane on the runway showed the wing flaps were fully retracted. Postaccident examination of the airplane under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that airplane sustained substantial damage that included damage to the bottom fuselage lateral bulkheads and stringers. Examination of the landing gear and landing gear indicating/warning system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech 
Registration: N219VP
Model/Series: 1900
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: DEN,5434 ft msl
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 12000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 100°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Rawlins, WY (RWL)
Destination: Denver, CO

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 39.861667,-104.67316 (est)