TacAero and Kevin Sutterfield are trying to dodge blame for crashing SW-51 N351MT at Gillespie Airport in January. But the manufacturer of the aircraft kit, ScaleWings, has analyzed the flight data from the aircraft’s Garmin Avionics system. ScaleWings sent its report to the NTSB, so it will likely end up in the public docket, eventually.
When the Test Pilot Ignores the Gauges: Lawsuit Filed Against TacAero and Kevin Sutterfield
TacAero — the Fredericksburg, Texas taildragger operation now controlled by Kevin “Showtime” Sutterfield — has been sued for the crash of an experimental scale P-51 aircraft. Sutterfield himself was at the controls on the aircraft’s maiden flight when he crashed within sight of TacAero’s hangar at T82.
Background: What TacAero Does
TacAero specializes in taildragger
Cirrus SR22T Engine Failures: Is the Aircraft Properly Certified?
until the Federal Aviation Administration requires
Air Force Agrees to Change ARFF Procedures; Pay $1.4 Million to Settle Andreini Death Lawsuit
Aerobatic hall of fame pilot Eddie Andreini was flying a routine at the Travis Air Force Base. He was attempting a stunt known as an inverted ribbon cut. Something went wrong. Eddie’s Stearman slid upside down along the runway, coming to a stop at show center. His Stearman caught fire. Eddie couldn’t get out. The crowd watched, prayed, and waited for fire trucks to arrive. Some bystanders wanted to rush to the plane to help, but the announcer warned everyone to stay back and “let the firefighters do their job.”
Continue Reading Air Force Agrees to Change ARFF Procedures; Pay $1.4 Million to Settle Andreini Death Lawsuit
Family Sues ICON for Fatal A5 Crash
ICON Aircraft hired away from Ford Motor Company a superstar PhD to lead its engineering department. When Cagri Sever showed up at ICON’s facility in Vacaville, the first thing ICON did was send him off on a “demonstration” flight with the company’s chief pilot, Jon Karkow. Karkow flew to
Lake Berryessa, a virtual stone’s throw from the ICON factory. Once there, Karkow couldn’t resist the urge to engage is some low level maneuvering over the water. Minutes after takeoff, Karkow crashed onto the shore, leaving both of them dead.Continue Reading Family Sues ICON for Fatal A5 Crash
Weight and Balance Issues in Riverside Cessna Crash?
The Cessna T310Q crashed shortly after takeoff. For clues into the cause of the crash, the press has focused on the fact that the pilot, Nouri Hijazi, had difficulty getting the engines started.
But what one witness had to say suggests that the plane was improperly loaded – specifically, it had too much weight in
Bogus Airplane Parts and a Cessna 182 Crash
A courageous client speaks to Stephen Stock about the risks to the flying public.
New Icon A5 Purchase Contract Will Require Buyers to Sign Away Their Rights to Sue
In the face of intense market rejection, Icon says it has heard its customers and is going to revise the rather onerous purchase contract it planned to require of its buyers. It hasn’t yet made the new contract public. But in a statement it says that one thing the new contract will keep is the
Icon Aircraft A5 Purchase Agreement: Who would sign this thing?
As AOPA is pointing out, Icon’s 41-page purchase agreement for its long-awaited A5 is, well, “unusual.” 
Perhaps what is most troubling is its language that seeks to allow Icon to dodge liability for any accident, regardless of its cause.
Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins told AOPA that Icon believes in "extreme responsibility."
What we’re trying
Piper Turbo Lance Crash in Bakersfield: Icing?
Piper N36402 departed Reid-Hillview Airport for Las Vegas as it was getting dark. The pilot had his wife and three children on board. Though the weather was challenging, the aircraft was turbocharged, which would have allowed the pilot to climb above at least some of the clouds.
The plane’s flight path, speed, and altitude changes