ARIZONA SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP
JULY 2025 AVIATION ACCIDENT & INCIDENT SUMMARY
By Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid June thru mid July. We hope to use the following detailed accident/incident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others, and be able to take the necessary action to prevent them from having similar occurrences.
The Accident/Incident report is about the same length as last time, and again the number of FAA reported incidents is again significant.
In continuing with the expanded scope of the report, we’re using information from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), FAA, NTSB, and APA Members. This more inclusive information source should suit our purpose of trying to get an idea of what is happening out there so we can help make flying safer.
In the mean time, here are the results from the above sources.
Date: June 13, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Yuma (NYL)
Type: Bell B-505 Helicopter
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
No Pilot Certification
HELICOPTER WAS SHOT AT
The sheriff's Bell helicopter was shot at by a private land owner. The bullet hit the helicopter, and the helicopter returned to Yuma, and landed safely. The FBI is investigating the incident.
Date: June 18, 2025
Source: APA Member, ASN, FAA
Location: Near Green Valley
Type: Cessna 150L Aerobat
Injuries: 2 Fatalities
Comm/CFI Pilot
CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN
The aircraft departed Tucson Ryan Field (RYN), and crashed under unknown circumstances fatally injuring both occupants.
Date: June 19, 2025
Source: Media, FAA
Location: Keyenta Airport (07V)
Type: Flight Design CTLS
Injuries: 2 Minor Injuries
No Pilot Information
LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF
While taking off a sudden gust of wind caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, and it went off the runway, and flipped on it’s back.
Date: June 19, 2025
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Gila Bend Airport (E63)
Type: Cirus SR20
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
No Pilot Information
LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF
After departing Goodyear airport the Cirrus SR20 stalled during a go around at Gila Bend Municipal Airport, and crashed.
Date: June 19, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Gulfstream VI GLF 6 (From Country Quatar)
Injuries: Unknown Number Uninjured
No Pilot Information
ENGINE FIRE
While parked at the FBO the pilot advised he had an engine malfunction, and required fire assistance. Emergency personnel responded, and put the fire out.Date: June 23, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Chandler Airport (CHD)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
No Pilot Certification
BIRD STRIKE
The Cessna reported a bird strike, and there was a small dent on the top left side of the elevator. There was no report of the extent of the damage.
Date: June 25, 2025
Source: ASN, NTSB
Location: Near San Luis
Type: Aerospatial AS 350B3 Ecureuil
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
No Pilot Information
HARD LANDING
The helicopter was operated by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and made a hard landing.
Date: June 27, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Cirrus SR22T
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
No Pilot Information
RUNWAY EXCURSION
While landing, the Cirrus went off the runway. There was no damage to the airport, or airplane reported.
Date: June 28, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: Pitts S-2A
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Comm/CFI Pilot
EMERGENCY LANDING
The Pitts bi-plane made an emergent landing because of smoke in the cockpit.
Date: July 1, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: Unknown Injuries
Pilot Certification Unknown
RUNWAY EXCURSION
The pilot reported a brake issue which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway. The Cessna was towed to the ramp without further incident.
Date: July 4, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Kitfox Series 7
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
Private Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
After landing the airplane ground looped, and went off the runway. There was no damage reported to the aircraft or airport property.
NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION (NMAC)
There was a Near Mid Air Collision incident reported during the reporting period from June 13, 2025 thru July 10, 2025.
DATE: July 1, 2025
LOCATION: Near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)
About 6.5 NM west of Sky Harbor an Embraer air carrier on a visual approach to the runway reported a NMAC with a small white quad copter at 3,000 feet MSL. The airplane passed over the UAS by about 50 feet.
ARIZONA SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP
JUNE - JULY
PILOT DEVIATIONS
Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common thread exists that we should address to help reduce the number of deviations that continue to occur, and thus enhance aviation safety.
In the reporting period from June 13, 2025 thru July 10, 2025 there were eighteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot thru Commercial Pilot. There were seven out of state pilots, and one foreign pilot, and military pilots that committed these deviations. Of the eighteen deviations reported, there were no Brashers issued.
Note: A controller will issue a Brasher notification to a pilot when further FAA action will be taken, and the controller is thus giving the airman the opportunity to make note of the occurrence, collect information, and their thoughts for their future interaction with FAA Flight Standards.
Obviously pilots don’t get the message to be more careful in their flying. Some of these deviations could be attributed to out of state pilots that may not be accustomed to flying in some of the complex/crowded airspace that we have here in Arizona.
I would certainly like to think that the information presented has been valuable to the pilots out there, and will make them safer pilots.
Pilots must listen carefully to ATC instructions and comply with them, and if they can’t comply, tell ATC why they can’t. Also, when flying in controlled airspace, pilots should never do something on their own, but always talk to ATC before they do anything that may differ from the instructions given. Pilots must always be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what may be expected of them. Always observe the airport, and runway markings, and signs and obey them. Fly with care and forethought, don’t be part of the problem.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:
6 IFR Deviations No Brashers
1 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations No Brasher
2 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers
3 Runway Incursions No Brashers5 ATC Instructions No Brashers1 Taxi Without Clearance No Brasher
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS (6)
6/2 IFR - Inadequate Climb For Terrain
Comm/CFI Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper didn’t climb at the published climb gradient resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
6/7 Route/Altitude Deviation
Private Pilot
Out Of Utah
Phoenix TRACON (P50
The Eclipse Jet didn’t fly the BRUSR One Arrival as published.
6/11 Route Deviation
Private Pilot
Out Of Florida
Phoenix TRACON (P50
The Cessna departed, and continued on the runway heading instead of turning to comply with the published Keens-Three departure procedure.
6/22 Route Deviation
Commercial Pilot
Out of Oklahoma
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
While the TBM-700 was conducting an ILS approach, and the pilot overshot the Localizer during his turn inbound.
6/22 Departure Deviation
No Pilot Information
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Metroliner did not fly the SACAT-3 Departure as published which conflicted with the Phoenix Sky Harbor departure traffic.
6/25 Departure Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out Of Colorado
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Falcon-900 did not fly the SACAT-3 Departure as published resulting in a loss of separation with traffic inbound to Phoenix Sky Harbor.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (1)
6/12 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported when the Cirrus SR-22 entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without first having ATC authorization.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (2)
6/27 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Cessna entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
7/4 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Out Of California
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Cessna entered the Gateway Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS (3)
6/5 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
The deviation was reported when the Piper took off without a clearance, and conducted a touch and go without ATC authorization
6/24 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The Piper entered the runway without ATC Authorization.
7/3 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Chandler Airport (CHD)
The Piper failed to clear the runway after landing, and also crossed the hold short line of another runway without authorization.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS (5)
6/7 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Commercial Pilot
Out Of British Columbia
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper failed to follow the ATC assigned departure course.
6/11 Not Complying With ATC instructions
Military Pilot
Tucson TRACON (U90)The Military Aircraft conducted a Parachute Jump operation in the Vicinity of the Marana Airport without contacting ATC, as required in 14 CFR Section 105.13.
6/15 Not Complying With ATC Instructions & Runway Incursion
Private Pilot
Out Of Utah
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
A Cirrus failed to clear the runway after landing, and then crossed the hold short line of the same runway when re-entering the runway, causing a conflict with a Piper. The closest estimated proximity was approximately 125 feet lateral.
6/27 Not Complying With ATC instructions
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The Phoenix TRACON reported the Piper did not comply with ATC Instructions.
6/30 Not Complying With ATC instructions
Unknown Pilot Certification
Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
The Cirrus failed to clear the runway after landing.
TAXI WITHOUT CLEARANCE (1)
6/29 Taxi Without A Clearance
Unknown Pilot Certification
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The deviation was reported when a Regional Airliner entered a taxiway without ATC authorization.
