Aviation Safety

The airplane crashed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at about 1330 Eastern time. The airplane received substantial damage and the non-certificated pilot/owner was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplane was maneuvering at tree-top level towards an open field when the engine stopped producing power. The airplane then descended at a steep angle before it collided with terrain, nosed over and came to rest inverted.

At about 2150 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain following an in-flight breakup. The instrument-rated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed. Review of ATC recordings revealed the pilot was diverting around an area of thunderstorms at the time of the accident. The pilot last reported that he was in “bad” weather and was going to try to get out of it.

The airplane impacted terrain at approximately 0145 Central time while flying an ILS approach. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the flight instructor and pilot-rated passenger were both seriously injured. Instrument conditions prevailed for the flight, which was being operated on an IFR flight plan. According to an initial statement from the surviving pilot-rated passenger, the flight was uneventful until the airplane descended on the ILS. The passenger reported that the airplane then entered a fog bank.

At about 1005 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain following an in-flight loss of aircraft control. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was in effect. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instrument-rated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated at 0950. While flying at 17,000 feet msl, the pilot reported he was in icing conditions.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1155 Eastern time, when it impacted the ground while maneuvering. The pilot was performing aerobatics for a re-issuance of his unlimited aerobatic competency card. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

At 1406 Eastern time, the airplane collided with the ground while attempting to return to the departure airport. The airplane was substantially damaged; a post-crash fire ensued. Visual conditions prevailed. The solo private pilot died. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a loss of engine power on the left engine.

The airplane was substantially damaged at 1111 Eastern time when it crashed in a parking lot and struck a parked vehicle. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. On its second attempt to pick up a banner, the airplane picked up the banner and began climbing. At approximately 300 feet agl, the banner was released, the airplane turned left in an approximate 60-degree bank and then began to spin to the right, descended and impacted the ground and a parked vehicle.

During an annual inspection, the right ruddervator trim control cable was found routed incorrectly and cutting through the right ruddervator control tube approximately 75 percent. The tube also had signs of a crack originating from the damaged section of the tube (cut area), and had begun to bend as a result of weakening. There were no maintenance entries noted in the logbook to determine when this may have occurred.

At about 0810 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain while executing an instrument approach. The solo commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, the airplane experienced an accumulation of moderate-to-severe mixed ice while on the approach. Subsequently, the pilot elected to execute a missed approach. As the pilot added power, the airplane entered a 90-degree bank to the left.

At about 2015 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight; no flight plan was filed.