Preliminary Reports

The Student pilot was on her first solo flight, performing touch and goes on Runway 17. During her first landing, she began her flare too early, bounced hard and ballooned. The airplane bounced a second time and went off the left side of the runway. The right landing gear impacted a runway sign as the pilot attempted to abort the landing. Reported winds were 180 degrees magnetic at 10 knots with no gusts.

At 2337 Eastern time, the airplane collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering during an instrument approach. Instrument conditions prevailed; the airplane was destroyed. The Airline Transport pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Earlier, the flight missed the Localizer Runway 31 approach at Columbia Owens Downtown Airport. The pilot was then vectored for the ILS Runway 11 approach at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during approach. The pilot stated that the airplane lost engine power due to “a depletion of fuel.” Inspection revealed the fuel system did not contain any remaining usable fuel. The fuel system was intact and no fuel smell was noted at the accident site.

At about 1201 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain following a loss of control. The Commercial pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Several minutes after departure, the pilot “found a problem and that he wanted to check it out on the ground.” While returning to the airfield, radar showed the airplane gradually descending at a ground speed of 170 knots.

The Airline Transport pilot and Commercial-rated copilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed after colliding with terrain at about 1107 Pacific time, shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. Before departing, one of the linemen observed the copilot loading bags into the left front baggage compartment. He did not see him latch or lock it.

At about 1830 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain. The aircraft was being operated in instrument conditions without a flight plan. The Private pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The local flight originated from a nearby airport about 15 minutes earlier.

The airplane sustained an in-flight loss of the right elevator at about 1030 Pacific time while maneuvering off the coast of San Diego. The Airline Transport certificated pilot, the Commercial co-pilot and one passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed for the local public-use flight.

At about 1245 Eastern time, the aircraft was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The solo Commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness who lived about seven miles from a nearby airport observed the accident airplane on final approach. The witness stated the landing gear was extended and he did not notice anything unusual.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1114 Eastern time after its autopilot disengaged and it entered a dive during cruise flight at FL220. There were no injuries to the Private pilot or passenger.

The twin turboprop sustained substantial damage when it impacted the side of a terminal building while parking on the airport terminals ramp. After a normal landing, the pilot was maneuvering on the parking ramp. After stopping, the pilot put the throttles into the Beta range and backed the airplane about four to six feet so that it would align with another airplane parked on the ramp.