Preliminary Reports

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.

At 0838 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged during landing when its left main landing gear collapsed. Instrument conditions prevailed. The non-scheduled Part 135 domestic cargo flights airline transport pilot was not injured. The pilot later reported the left main landing gear indicator failed to illuminate when he put down the gear. After a go-around, he raised the gear and lowered it again, with the same result. After a tower fly-by, the pilot elected to land with the unsafe gear indication. On landing, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane departed the side of the runway, striking a taxiway sign. Examination of the airplane revealed a left main landing gear actuator rod was fractured.

The airplane collided with elevated terrain at 2228 Pacific time; its private-rated pilot and sole occupant sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reportedly made the cross-country flight on a regular basis, requiring about 30 minutes. According to data extracted from a portable GPS navigator, the airplane arrived near its destination airport and made multiple meandering passes over the city for 50 minutes. Shortly thereafter, the airplane turned and began a gradual descent. The wreckage was located 3.4 miles east of the destination airport; all major components were present. The left fuel tank had been breached along its entire leading edge. The right fuel tank contained five gallons of fuel.

At about 1845 Pacific time, the airplane collided with terrain and was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed; the private pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. Witnesses in the area reported that they observed the aircraft maneuvering in the valley at altitudes between 1000 feet agl to about 50 feet above the trees. No one saw the aircraft hit the ground in a clear cut area behind a dense stand of trees.

At about 1233 Pacific time, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot made a forced landing in a parking lot about mile short of an airport, colliding with trees; the airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane sustained minor damage during the initial climb at about 1830 Eastern time. The airline transport pilot and a student pilot were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the airline transport pilot (ATP), the student pilot had just completed a touch-and-go. When the ATP took control of the airplane to demonstrate a maneuver, he noticed there was very little resistance from the stabilator. He then checked all trim settings, trimmed the airplane for climb and continued to fly the traffic pattern. There was little resistance from the stabilator, but the ATP was able to land the airplane without incident.

The airplane crashed at about 1035 Eastern time while attempting a takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed; instrument flight plan had been filed. The private pilot received serious injuries, and two passengers received minor injuries. The pilot later said the takeoff roll had been uneventful; however, after rotating and at about 50 feet agl, the flight controls became mushy, and he did not have any elevator or rudder control.