Piper PA-23 - Accidents and Incidents

Accidents and Incidents

• On 18 April 1974, Aztec G-AYDE was involved in a ground collision with BAC One-Eleven G-AXMJ at London Luton Airport after the pilot of the Aztec entered the active runway without clearance. He was killed and his passenger was injured. All 91 people on board the One-Eleven successfully evacuated after take-off was aborted.

• On 29 November 1975, Formula One racing driver Graham Hill was piloting Piper PA-23-350 Aztec N6645Y from France to London, United Kingdom. His passengers were team manager Ray Brimble, driver Tony Brise, designer Andy Smallman and mechanics Terry Richards and Tony Alcock. They were returning from Circuit Paul Ricard, Var, where they had been testing the Hill GH2 car being prepared for the 1976 racing season. They were due to land at Elstree Airfield, Hertfordshire, before onward travel to London to attend a party. Shortly before 10pm, the aircraft hit trees beside a golf course at Arkley, Hertfordshire in thick fog. In the ensuing crash and explosion everyone on board was killed.

• On 15 April 1978, Hollywood stunt flyer Frank Tallman was ferrying a Piper Aztec from Santa Monica Airport, California, to Phoenix, Arizona under visual flight rules when he continued the flight into deteriorating weather, a lowering ceiling and rain. He struck the side of Santiago Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains near Trabuco Canyon at cruise altitude, dying in the ensuing crash.