FEBRUARY 2025 AVIATION ACCIDENT & INCIDENT SUMMARYBy Jim Timm
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 a bit strange for this reporting. The number of occurrences that were
available for this reporting period were down drastically. Human nature being what it is tells me the
numbers should be much higher. The numbers from the below listed sources were all drastically
down for some reason.
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.
Source: FAA
Location: Near Casa Grande
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Unregistered Pilot
UN-DESCRIBED CRASH
The unregistered Hang Glider crashed under unknown circumstances within the city limits of Casa
Grande, and the deceased uncertified pilot was found 3/4 of a mile from the crash site. The Pinal
County Sheriff will be taking over jurisdiction of the incident.
Location: Prescott (PRC)
Injuries: Unknown (Uninjured)
Pilot Certification Unknown
The airplane lost power on approach to landing on Runway 03R at Prescott (PRC), and landed on a
road 1200 feet short of the runway. There were no injuries or damage reported.
DECEMBER - JANUARY
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 December 13, 2024 thru January 10, 2025 there were six pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot thru Commercial/CFI, and of the six 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.
The number of deviations are again greatly reduced from last month, and from previous months. Has there been a change in reporting criteria for making a report or what is happening? I don’t think pilots have gotten more careful in their flying, of have greatly reduced their flying activity. I would most certainly hope our source of information is not coming to an end. I would like to think the information that has been presented has been very valuable to the majority of the pilots out there. 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 be creative, but talk to ATC before they do something that differs 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 fly with care and forethought, don’t be part of the problem.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS (3)
12/18/2024 Altitude & Route Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Airplane Was Out of Mexico
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported when the Gulfstream 5 climbed above the ATC assigned altitude, and
failed to follow the assigned course, and conflicted with traffic inbound to Phoenix Sky Harbor. There
was no loss of separation.
1/5/2025 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Learjet 35 had descended below his assigned altitude of
5,000 feet.
1/7/2025 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Military Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Military KC135 descended below the published altitude.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATION (1)
12/29/2024 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio
Communication
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Deer Valley ATC when the Piper Super Cub entered their
Class Delta Airspace without authorization.
RUNWAY INCURSION (2)
12/17/2024 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Prescott Airport (PRC)
Ground Control (GC) instructed a Cessna 172 to taxi via Taxiway C and hold short of Runway 21L on
Taxiway C5, and the read back was correct. Later the Cessna crossed the Runway 21L edge line at
Taxiway C5 without ATC authorization, and GC told the pilot to stop. A Bombardier CRJ200 was
departing Runway 3R because of performance characteristics, and the Local Controller canceled the
takeoff clearance. The closest proximity was approximately 2,800 feet lateral.
12/19/2024 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Prescott (PRC)
The pilot deviation was reported when a Cessna 172 taxied across a runway without ATC authorization.
