MAY 2025 AVIATION ACCIDENT & INCIDENT SUMMARY
By Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from April thru May. 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 the number of FAA reported incidents still comprises about half of the report.
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 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: April 8, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Douglas
Type: MQ-35 UAS (An Unmaned UAV)
Injuries: 0 Injured
Pilot Certification Not Required
ENGINE STOPPED
While flying at 1500 feet the engine stopped, the pilot maintained control, and the UAS came down at a steep angle and was substantially damaged.
Date: April 11, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Student Pilot
HARD LANDING
The student made a hard landing , and had a prop strike.
Date: April 12, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft went off the pavement into the dirt while exiting the runway, and the aircraft was towed to
the ramp.
Date: April 12, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Piper ran off the runway into the dirt while landing, and the aircraft was towed to parking.
Date: April 17, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Near Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
Type: EC130H
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
OFF AIRPORT LANDING
The aircraft is a C-130 Hercules that the Air Force has highly modified to be an electronic attack aircraft intended to disrupt enemy communications, and cary out electronic attacks. It made a precautionary off airport landing 13 miles southeast of Gateway because of a mechanical issue and a warning light indication.
Date: April 18 , 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
Type: Beechcraft Primer I Business Jet
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The aircraft had braking issues landing, and went off the end of the runway into some rocks. The damage was minor.
Date: April 19, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
ATP/CFI Pilot.
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
While landing, the aircraft went off the runway between the exit taxiways, and crossed a main taxiway, and came to rest on the ramp. The aircraft sustained a flat tire, and broke an airport light.
Date: May 1, 2025
Source: ASN, FAA Incident
Location: Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
Type: Rutan Long-EZ
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
When the aircraft was landing it veered off the runway, and struck a runway sign causing substantial damage.
Date: May 2, 2025
Source: FAA Incident (It was declared an incident because there was no damage to the airplane.)
Location: Eloy (E60)
Type: Parachute Jumper
Injuries: 1 Fatality
No Pilot Certification Required
NO PARACHUTE
The parachute jumper did not have his parachute deploy.
Date: May 4, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Mesa Gateway (IWA)
Type: Bellanca Viking BL17-31AInjuries: 1 Uninjured
ATP Pilot
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
The Bellanca landed, and went off the runway, and then continued to taxi to parking. There was no reported damage.
Date: May 15, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Type: Piper PA-28-181
Injuries: 1 Minor Injury
Pilot Certification Unknown
LANDING GEAR FAILURE
The nose gear collapsed, and broke off on touchdown, and the damage was minor.
Date: May 21, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Tolleson (Next to Phoenix)
Type: Amazon MK30 Drone
Injuries: No Injuries
No Pilot Involved
LOSS OF POWER
After losing power, the Amazon drone made a controlled forced landing on the front lawn of a residence in Tolleson.
Date: May 23, 2025
Source: Member, Media
Location: Near Goodyear Airport (GYR)
Type: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
Pilot Certification Unknown
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER
The airplane took off from Goodyear Airport and shortly after takeoff the aircraft lost power due to a carburetor issue, and made a successful landing on a dirt road without any damage.
NEARMID AIRCOLLISIONS(NMAC’s)
Wehadtwo Near MidAir Collisionincidentsreportedduring theperiodfrom April11,2025thru May 16, 2025.
DATE:April13,2025
LOCATION:ScottsdaleAirport(SDL)
AN MACwas reported whenan unidentifiedVFRaircraftwasdescending,andconvergingwith a Cirrus. When the aircraft were 2.3 nm apartATC issued the Cirrus a traffic advisory, and the Cirrus reported the traffic was in sight.As the aircraft passed the closest proximity was 0.03 nm, and 100 feet vertical.
DATE:May8.2025
LOCATION:MaranaRegionalAirport.(AVQ)
AN MACwas reportedwhen a militaryC130airplanedeparted PinalAirpark,and entered the active Parachute Jump Zone, and conflicted with jumpers over the Marana airport.
APRIL - MAY
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 April 11, 2025 thru May 16, 2025 there were twenty-four pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot thru ATP/CFI Pilot, and a military pilot. There were ten out of state pilots that committed these deviations, and of the twenty-four deviations reported, and per our information, there was only one Brasher issued for an IFR deviation.
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.
The deviations weren’t as serious as past reports because apparently there was a need to issue only one Brasher for an IFR deviation. Obviously pilots don’t get the message to be more careful in their flying. Some of these pilots may not be accustomed to flying in some of the complex/crowded airspace that we have in Arizona.
I would certainly like to think that the information presented has been valuable to pilots out there, and will make them safer pilots.
Moving on, 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, and don’t be part of the problem.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:
7 IFR Deviations 1 Brasher
7 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations No Brashers
4 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers
5 Runway Incursions No Brashers
1 ATC Instructions No Brashers
THERE IS A FAA PART 135 DEVIATION AT THE END OF THESE FAA PART 91 DEVIATIONS
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS (7)
4/7 SID Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported when the Embraer Phenom didn’t fly the KATMN SIX SID as published.
4/11 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported when the Citation descended below the assigned altitude. The Willy Controller issued a Brasher Notice. The same airplane had a different Pilot Deviation on 3/27.
4/11 Route Deviation
ATP/CFI Pilot
Out of California
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The pilot made an unassigned turn off course, and came within 0.87 miles of an active MOA.
4/21 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Utah
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Citation descended below his assigned altitude.
4/26 Altitude Deviation
ATP Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
A Pilatus came out of Mesa Falcon Field and was issued a climb to 4,000, and a south bound vector with a good read-back. There was an air carrier on a left base for Sky Harbor at 5, 000, and the controller noticed The Pilatus had an altitude discrepancy, and issued a traffic alert to the Pilatus, with instructions to return to 4,000, and traffic was also issued to the air carrier. The closest proximity was 0.3 miles, and 600 feet.
4/29 Altitude Deviation
Student Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot leveled their climb 1,000 ft below the assigned altitude resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
5/8 Route Deviation
Military Pilot
Los Angeles Center (ZLA)
The pilot deviated from an assigned heading prior to receiving a clearance into a MOA.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (7)
4/27 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of Nevada
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The L-39 jet trainer entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without ATC authorization.
4/30 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
Two T-38’s entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without ATC authorization, and conflicted with traffic inbound to Phoenix Sky Harbor.
5/1 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
An experimental Sharp Nemesis entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without ATC authorization.
5/2 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Bonanza violated the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace approximately 20 miles southeast of Sky Harbor in the 5,000-9,000 foot box.
5/8 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of Nebraska
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was issued when the Baron entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without
authorization.
5/12 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
Two Embraer Tucanos’ entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace approximately 12 miles northeast of Phoenix in the 4,000-9,000 block of airspace.
5/12 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of Georgia
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cessna violated the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace approximately 12 miles south of Phoenix in the 6,000-9,000 block of airspace.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (4)
4/6 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The deviation was reported when the Cessna entered the Falcon Field Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
4/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Bell Helicopter entered the Deer Valley Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
4/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Cirrus entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
4/25 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Out of Montana
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Socata TBM entered the Deer Valley Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS (5)
4/4 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Piper crossed the hold short line of the runway without ATC authorization.
4/6 Crossing A Runway Without Authorization
PrivatePilot
Out of Washington
Tucson International Airport (TUS)The pilot deviation was reported when the Cirrus crossed a runway without ATC authorization.
4/7 Landing On A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Texas
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Cessna landed on a runway without ATS authorization.
4/24 Conducting a touch-and-go Without ATC Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Chandler Airport (CHD)
The Cessna conducted a touch-and-go without ATC authorization.
4/27 Entering a Runway With our Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Cessna entered the runway without ATC authorization causing the controller to issue a go
around for an inbound aircraft.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS (1)
4/24 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Private Pilot
Chandler Airport (CHD)
The deviation was reported when the weight shift control trike didn’t follow ATC instructions during taxi.
FAA PART 135 DEVIATION:
4/8 IFR Route Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
A Learjet flying near Cottonwood bypassed a waypoint in their route, but later they acknowledged the error to the Albuquerque Center controller.
