The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that have occurred in Arizona from mid May thru June. 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

 

The Accident/Incident report is about the same length as last time, and the number of FAA reported incidents again 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 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.

The pilot was fatally injured in the crash of an unregistered powered parachute under unknown circumstances.

Date: May 19, 2025

Source: FAA Incident

During a maintenance check the unoccupied Piper Cherokee rolled into an unoccupied parked Piper Seminole causing undetermined damage.

The student pilot on a solo flight landed, and went off the runway. The city responded, and towed the aircraft to the ramp.

The Taylorcraft made a hard landing, blew a tire, and went off the runway. A strong crosswind may have been a causing factor.

Shortly after taking off from Deer Valley airport, the engine failed, and the pilot landed in a nearby field. The damage was substantial.

The aircraft landed hard at Mesa Falcon Field and went off the runway into the infield. There was damage to the right flap.

 

Date: June 8, 2025

Because of a tailwind, the pilot aborted the takeoff which resulted in a ground loop, and striking a taxiway light.

The aircraft made a hard landing at a private airstrip west of Avra Valley, and the extent of damage was unknown.

While doing touch and go landings the aircraft went off the runway due to a gust of wind. The aircraft just taxied back to the ramp without incident, and there was no reported property damage.

 

Date: June 18, 2025

The aircraft departed Tucson Ryan Field (RYN), and crashed under unknown circumstances fatally injuring both occupants.

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.

After departing Goodyear airport the Cirrus SR20 stalled during a go around at Gila Bend Municipal Airport, and crashed.

 

Date: June 25, 2025

The helicopter was operated by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and made a hard landing.

We had three Near Mid Air Collision incidents reported during the period from May 17, 2025 thru June 12, 2025.

A Sportstar was cleared off on RWY 21L, and fly straight out, and the other aircraft on 21R was airborne, and on a runway heading when ATC approved the Sportstar to turn right, and pass over 22R, and thus “cutting off” the other aircraft on upwind on RWY21R. ATC issued a Traffic Advisory to the Sportstar only, and neither aircraft were issued a Traffic Alert nor did either aircraft report traffic

A NMAC was reported when a Cessna reported seeing a Quadcopter Drone 20 ft off it’s wing tip southeast of the airport.

The Bonanza had just taken off on RWY 25L, and after becoming airborne ATC issued a left downwind departure east approved. The Bonanza very shortly began a climbing left turn which resulted in a convergence between the Bonanza, and an AS-350 helicopter that was arriving from the south at 1,900 feet. When the aircraft were 1 NM apart both were issued a Traffic Advisory by ATC. When they were .44 NM apart the helicopter rapidly descended to 1,700 feet. Neither aircraft were issued a Traffic Alert. The closest proximity was 0.08 NM and 200 feet vertical.

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 May 17, 2025 thru June 12, 2025 there were twenty-one pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot thru ATP/CFI Pilot. There were eleven out of state pilots, two foreign pilots, and military pilots that committed these deviations. Of the twenty-one deviations reported, there were only three Brashers issued for IFR deviations.

 

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 the “snow birds” because of the relatively large number of out of state airplanes that were involved. No doubt many of these pilots 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,

 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, don’t be part of the problem.

In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:

1 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations  No Brashers

3 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers

 5/5 Altitude Deviation

 The Citation was assigned a climb to 5,000 feet, but leveled at 3,000 feet resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.

 The Gulfstream descended below the published altitude for an intersection on the BRUSR arrival.

 

5/23 Altitude Deviation

 The Learjet descended below his ATC assigned altitude of 11,000 feet, and conflicted with slower traffic at 10,00 feet.

 

5/27 Route Deviation

The Dassault Falcon was off course from their departure procedure because their FMS was unable to capture a designated fix. As a result the Falcon proceeded to an alternate fix which put them in proximity to the Yarnell Assigned Airspace. The center controller vectored the Falcon to avoid the ATC Assigned Airspace, and then cleared them to an alternative fix. A Brasher Warning was issued.

 

5/28 Altitude Deviation

 The Citation climbed above it’s ATC assigned altitude without authorization.

 

5/29 Altitude Deviation

 The Bombardier Global Express descended below it’s assigned altitude of 11,000 feet resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.

 The pilot deviation was reported when the ATC controller observed the Piper was level at 3,000 feet. The aircraft was issued a climb to 5,000 feet, and a low altitude alert was also issued to validate the loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.

6/4 Separation Deviation

 Four F16’s were working in the JAKAL MOA, and they spilled out of the MOA which resulted in a loss of separation with an air carrier. The closest proximity was 4.13 NM, and 1200 feet vertical. A Brasher warning was issued.

 The Piper Cheyenne failed to fly at an ATC assigned altitude, and began a descent to FL220 without authorization. A Brasher warning was issued.

 The deviation was reported by the Phoenix Tracon (P50) when the Antonov AN-12, departed Sky Harbor, and didn’t climb at the minimum climb rate which resulted a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.

 

 5/30 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization

 The deviation was reported when the Cherokee 6 entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without ATC authorization.

 

 5/18 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio

 The Cessna entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.

 

5/26 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio

 The pilot deviation was reported when the Mooney M-20 entered the Deer Valley Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.

 The pilot deviation was reported when the Cessna entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.

 

 5/22 Entering A Runway Without Authorization

 The deviation was reported when the Cirrus crossed the hold short line of the runway without ATC authorization resulting in a loss of separation with a Piper. The closest proximity was 222 feet.

 The deviation was reported when the Experimental Acro Sport crossed the hold short line of the runway without ATC authorization resulting in a loss of separation with a Cessna. The closest proximity was 500 feet.

 The Cessna entered the runway without ATC authorization.

A Sportstar was cleared for takeoff on RWY 21L, and fly straight out, and another aircraft on 21R was airborne, and on a runway heading when ATC approved the Sportstar to turn right, and pass over 21R, and thus “cutting off” the other aircraft on upwind on RWY21R. ATC issued a Traffic Advisory to the Sportstar only, and neither aircraft were issued a Traffic Alert nor did either aircraft report traffic insight. The closest proximity was 0.04 NM (< 250’) and 100 feet vertical.

The student in the Cheetah didn’t make his turn to RWY 25L as instructed, and thus conflicted with traffic on RWY 25R.