Aviation Safety

During an annual inspection, the IA found black fretting corrosion below the center two, l/h aft engine mount bolts. The bolts were loose in the mount even though their nuts were tight. Investigation revealed the bolts are a little too long and the nuts were running out of threads. The solution was to add another washer below the nuts, then re-torque back to specifications.

The airplane was destroyed by fire after landing about 1748 Pacific time. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot received minor injuries; the passenger received serious injuries. The pilot later reported that within minutes following takeoff on the two flights preceding the accident flight, he had experienced smoke in the cockpit and promptly landed. The accident flight followed repairs to his airplane.

At 1033 Eastern time, the airplane impacted up-sloping terrain and was destroyed. The commercial-rated pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated about 1029. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the airplane landed at approximately 1001 hours, taxied to the south side of the airport, and without securing the engine, boarded two waiting passengers. The airplane then was observed taxiing towards a runway, but an airplane was being towed on the taxiway at that time. The accident airplane turned around and taxied to the opposite end of the same runway and began its takeoff roll.

The airplane was destroyed after collision with terrain and a post-crash fire at 1105 Eastern time; the private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The flights purpose was to search for a windsock that detached from its mount due to strong winds earlier in the week. A pilot-rated witness observed the accident flight from start to finish. After some maneuvering, he observed the airplane in “a very low, tight left downwind.” The airplane then entered a tight, steep, low-speed left bank the witness estimated was greater than 45 degrees. After overflying the runway centerline, the pilot pulled the nose over sharply and was in about a 45-degree bank when the left wing dropped and the aircraft dove to the ground.

At about 0533 Eastern time, the airplane impacted trees during a forced landing following loss of engine power. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane incurred substantial damage. While in cruise flight at 11,000 feet, the engine failed without warning. The pilot declared an emergency with ATC and was advised the closet airport was on a heading of 080 at 29 miles. He turned toward the airport and went through the engine-out procedures. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot set up the airplane for best glide speed; the glide was approximately 22 miles.

The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1608 Pacific daylight time, during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 500 feet, the engine “sputtered” and subsequently “quit.” He executed a forced landing to a construction site. The airplane touched down in rough terrain and its landing gear sheared off.

At about 2032 Eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6493W, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain. The private pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. Nearing its destination and in contact with ATC, the airplane began to descend to 3500 feet msl. It then turned off the established course to the east. When queried by the controller, the pilot turned back on course. No further transmissions were received and moments later radar contact was lost.

The airplane collided with the ground shortly after takeoff at 1030 Eastern time and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and front seated passenger were fatally injured. The two rear-seat passengers were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness later reported observing the takeoff; the airplane was at an extreme angle when it passed by. He watched as the pilot turned into the wind, flying very slowly with approximately 10-15 degrees of flaps deployed. The witness stated the airplane turned almost a full 180 degrees; he believed that the left wing stalled at that point. The airplane then descended straight down from approximately 150 feet agl.

The pilot later said he was distracted while talking on the radio, and delayed his descent to the destination airport. As a result, the airplane was “too high, too fast and 120 knots over the trees” prior to touchdown on the 4100-foot long runway. The airplane continued to float, and the pilot determined that he “couldnt go around.” The airplane touched down, and continued off the departure end of the runway, down a hill and impacted a fence. According to the pilot, there were no deficiencies in the performance and handling of the airplane.

The pilot subsequently stated that, while en route, he noticed his GPS was inoperative and decided to divert to a nearby airport. As he approached the airport, he noted the runway in use and accordingly entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. While on approach, the pilot discerned the airplane was too high and too fast, which he believed resulted in a short downwind leg. The airplane landed hard and bounced twice, veering off the runway. It continued forward and collided with a fence, coming to rest upright on a dirt berm.