Aviation Safety

At about 0730 Eastern time, the airplane experienced a stuck throttle control and was substantially damaged during a subsequent forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and observer were not injured; the student pilot sustained a minor injury. The operator later reported the throttle was reduced to begin a descent, but could not be advanced by either the student or CFI when the flight was close to the target altitude. An emergency was declared with ATC, the airplane was trimmed to maintain best glide airspeed, and the flight proceeded to the nearest airport. While descending near the airport, the airplane clipped tree tops, then impacted soft ground and nosed over. The occupants broke a rear cabin window using the emergency egress hammer and exited the inverted airplane.

The airplane experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed into a wooded area at about 1045 Central time. Instrument conditions prevailed. The airplane was destroyed by impact and a postcrash fire; the commercial pilot and two passengers died. The flight proceeded normally to the destination airport and, at approximately 1033, the pilot contacted the tower. After some vectoring and communications difficulty, a pause was noted and then grunting sounds were recorded on the frequency. The controller asked the pilot if he needed help and he responded, “I got it into a spin and I cant stop it.” Heavy breathing/grunting sounds were heard on the frequency. At 1044, the controller advised the pilot to climb immediately to 3000 feet. The pilot responded with unintelligible words.

At about 1757 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of engine power while on final approach. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that after an uneventful flight, he entered the traffic pattern for runway 10 left. As he turned from base leg to final, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he realized that he “ran the right fuel tank out of fuel” and immediately switched to the left fuel tank and turned on the electric fuel boost pump.

The autopilot was inadvertently engaged while taxiing to the departure runway. The pilot and his passenger attempted to disengage the autopilot by depressing the “A/P” button on the units control panel, but eventually turned off the avionics master switch to completely power down the unit. After reestablishing power to the avionics, the autopilot appeared disengaged. The pilot then attempted a takeoff but the airplane “prematurely” became airborne during the takeoff roll.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 0925 Pacific time, following a reported loss of engine power during a missed approach. The instrument-rated private pilot and one of his two passengers sustained serious injuries; one passenger sustained minor injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed.

The non-certificated pilot was interested in purchasing the airplane and took it for a spin. During the takeoff, and approximately 40-50 feet into the air, the engine lost power. The pilot tried to turn back to the runway, but was unable. The airplanes tail hit the ground first followed by the main wheels. A check of the runway and accident site, revealed skid marks on the runway pointing to the crash site corresponding to the airplanes landing gear. Foot-deep ground scars were consistent with a rotating propeller. A review of the pilots certificate revealed that he was issued a student pilot certificate in April 1990, and did not have any flight instructor endorsements.

At about 0245 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground short of the runway. Night instrument conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were killed. One of the passengers was being flown to a hospital in preparation for an organ transplant. According to an employee at an FBO, the pilot contacted him via radio between 0200 and 0300 and asked about the weather. The employee replied that the visibility was low due to fog, and he could not see the terminal lights from the FBO. According to the FAA, ATC cleared the flight for an ILS approach to Runway 29 at about 0240; the control tower was closed.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the side of a mountain at about 1126 Pacific time, killing the pilot and three passengers. Visual conditions were prevalent for most of the flight. The pilot had been in contact with the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center; no distress calls were reported. According to radar data, at about 1050, the airplane was at a Mode C altitude of 12,800 feet, in the Palm Springs, California area. At 1118, the altitude was 13,500 feet. The last radar hit was at 1125:38, which showed about a 900-foot-per-minute descent in 12 seconds.

The airplane crashed into trees at 1824 Eastern time, shortly after takeoff. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, three passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane received substantial damage. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to a pilot-rated passenger, the liftoff and initial climb appeared normal; soon it was apparent the airplane was not accelerating. The passenger mentioned to the pilot that the airspeed seemed to be stagnating and he confirmed the same concern. The pilot and passenger both checked for full throttle position and rpm, which was at that time 2150.

While performing a touch-and-go landing on a turf runway, the newly tailwheel-endorsed pilot encountered a sudden crosswind. The airplanes nose turned left as the airplane bounced back into the air. The pilot initiated a go-around and added right rudder. The airplane then exited the runway and headed for an airfield wind indicator, so the pilot reduced engine power and maneuvered the airplane away from the obstruction.