Preliminary Reports

At about 1645 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power during the initial climb. The commercial pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported the engine lost power during initial climb. The pilot initiated a forced landing and performed a 180-degree turn back to the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field at approximately 1820 Central time, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries; the other passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1906 Alaska time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it ditched in the ocean following a complete loss of engine power. The private pilot was not injured; the sole passenger received minor injuries from hypothermia. Instrument conditions prevailed for the en route portion of the flight, but visual conditions were present at Ketchikan.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following loss of engine power at 1450 Eastern time. The private pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the local post-maintenance test flight. After takeoff, the flight remained in the traffic pattern. When the airplane was on the downwind leg and 45 degrees from the approach end of the landing runway, the pilot reduced engine power to 1500 rpm and extended the pattern for traffic. While turning base, the pilot attempted to add power but the engine did not respond. He elected to make a forced landing in an open field. During the landing roll the empennage and engine separated from the fuselage. The pilot and the passenger exited the airplane without assistance.

At 1200 Eastern time, the airplane collided with the ground during a forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane received substantial structural damage. The private pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. The pilot later stated he was in cruise flight at 3000 feet when he noted an airframe vibration. After adjusting the engine controls, the airplane would not climb, and started a descent. The pilot selected the nearest airport on his GPS and proceeded toward it to make a precautionary landing. After two aborted attempts to land, the pilot increased power to gain altitude, and leaned the mixture, resulting in an “alarming” decrease in airspeed.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0246 Eastern time after making a forced landing in a wooded residential area shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported retracting the landing gear and noticing the manifold pressure was “down.” He then tried to increase the manifold pressure with no response. The airplane hit trees and came to rest in a residential area, facing in the opposite direction of its original travel.

At 0648 Pacific time, the airplane impacted a residence shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot, passenger and three people on the ground were killed; three more people on the ground were seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. An automated weather observation taken eight miles north of the departure airport seven minutes after the accident reported calm winds, 2.5 miles visibility in mist and a 300-foot overcast.

The airplane was substantially damaged at 1000 Eastern time while attempting to depart. The private pilot and the passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later stated, “something didnt feel right” at about the midpoint of the runway during the takeoff. After lifting off, the airplane settled back to the runway, then lifted off again. He then retracted the landing gear.

At approximately 0710 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing. Visual conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. As a front approached the airport, instruction on crosswind landings was being conducted. When on a 1 mile final approach, the airplane encountered turbulence and the airspeed dropped. Short of the runway threshold, the airplane began sinking and the instructor pushed the nose down “to gain some lift,” then pulled up to flare.

The airplane impacted mountainous terrain at approximately 2130 Pacific time under unknown circumstances. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to ATC, the pilot was receiving flight following services in cruise at about 11,500 feet msl, then began descending at about 2107. Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter about 35 nm southwest of Reno. The last radio contact with the pilot was at approximately 2115. The wreckage was located about 0700 the next day at an elevation of approximately 8600 feet msl.