Accident Analysis

ASI's 2009 Accident Reports in AOPA ePilot

On this page, the AOPA Air Safety Institute will present accident reports documenting a specific accident cause on a biweekly basis. Come back often to learn more.

Reports are sorted by NTSB number (where applicable). Dates in parentheses present the date they were published in AOPA ePilot. Would you like to receive these reports and other news involving general aviation on a regular basis? Sign up for AOPA ePilot!

• DFW08LA197 (December 23, 2009)— Below-ground buzzing sends pilot into quarry wall
• DEN07FA053 (December 18, 2009)— Descending ceilings, rising terrain sandwich pilot
• NYC08CA072 (December 1, 2009)— Windscreen ice cuts short flight shorter
• NYC08FA218 (November 16, 2009)— Pre-takeoff shortcut proves deadly
• NYC02FA178 (October 15, 2009)— Seven die in six-seat Baron accident
• CHI06FA224 (October 8, 2009)— Misplaced faith
• NYC07FA048 (September 18, 2009)—Foggy night turns tragic for helicopter pilot
• CHI06FA245 (September 3, 2009)—Pilot crashes seconds after losing control in IMC
• CHI07LA288 (August 18, 2009)—Lethal lesson: Buzzing spree ends badly
• CHI06FA275 (August 6, 2009)—Thunderstorm kills scud-running pilot
• LAX07FA258 (July 17, 2009)—Film crew captures density altitude crash
• MIA04LA070 (July 3, 2009)—Hosed! Did sloppy wash job cause Cirrus crash?
• LAX06FA200 (June 5, 2009)—Death grip: Spin training turns tragic
• MIA07FA083 (May 22, 2009)—Airship tether severs Cessna wing, killing three
• ANC03LA085 (May 1, 2009)—Emergency landing near baseball field caught on tape
• DCA07MA003 (April 17, 2009)—Tight spot: Lessons from the Cory Lidle accident
• MIA07LA077 (April 3, 2009)—Tragic turn at Sun ’n Fun ’07 kills two
• NYC08FA138 (March 20, 2009)—Autopilot mode mix-up sends pilot into ridgeline
• MIA05LA096 (March 6, 2009)—Terminal velocity: When airplanes and skydivers collide
• CHI07FA176 (February 20, 2009)—Technology trumps common sense ‘in the soup’
• CHI04LA173 (February 6, 2009)—Asleep at the yoke
• LAX05FA088 (January 16, 2009)—Trust but verify: Unforecast ice downs Cirrus

ePilot Accident Report Archive:

2010 accident reports in AOPA ePilot

• 2009 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2008 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2007 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2006 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2005 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2004 accident reports in AOPA ePilot
• 2003 accident reports in AOPA ePilot