Preliminary Reports

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain at approximately 2230 Mountain time while maneuvering after a missed approach. The Commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Dark night visual conditions prevailed.While en route at 16,000 feet msl, the airplane encountered rain and moderate turbulence. The pilot elected to divert […]

The airplane was destroyed when it collided with mountainous terrain at approximately 0930 Mountain time during descent from cruise altitude. Visual conditions prevailed at the accident scene; the Private pilot was fatally injured.A witness about two miles from the accident site heard the approaching airplane; its engine was “sputtering.” He did not see the airplane […]

The solo Private pilot was uninjured during a takeoff attempt from the private turf runway at an unspecified time. The pilot aborted the takeoff roll at around 55 KIAS but was unable to stop the airplane before it overran the departure end of the runway and collided with trees.The pilot reported that while walking away […]

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at approximately 0730 Mountain time following a loss of engine power. The Private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.According to the pilot, while in cruise flight approximately 8500 feet msl, the pilot heard a “loud bang” and the engine oil pressure decreased. Shortly […]

July 1, 2006, Ringgold, Ga.
Cessna 172H
At 1131 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. Visual conditions prevailed; the Commercial pilot reported serious injuries. The accident flight was the first after completing an annual inspection.When they arrived at the airport, the two co-owners noticed the left wing was lower than the right wing and fuel was draining out of the fuel vent. The fuel selector valve then was turned to the right main fuel tank position. The left main fuel tank was full; an estimated six gallons was present in the right tank. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a right crosswind t…

At 1131 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. Visual conditions prevailed; the Commercial pilot reported serious injuries. The accident flight was the first after completing an annual inspection. When they arrived at the airport, the two co-owners noticed the left wing was lower than the right wing and fuel was draining out of the fuel vent. The fuel selector valve then was turned to the right main fuel tank position. The left main fuel tank was full; an estimated six gallons was present in the right tank. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a right crosswind turn. The engine quit and the pilot attempted to move the f…

The aircraft impacted level terrain at about 1140 Pacific, following the pilots declaration of an emergency. The Private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries; two other passengers sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. Although the airplanes destination was Prescott, Ariz., shortly after departing Santa Barbara, Calif., the pilot told ATC he wanted to divert to Oxnard, Calif., to check a few things out. After declining to declare an emergency, the pilot then told ATC he wanted to divert to Camarillo, Calif. When the pilot checked in with the CMA controller, he was unable to provide his current location. After using his transponder…

At about 0925 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a takeoff from a residential street. The Private pilot sustained fatal injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness observed the accident airplane descend out of view behind a house and garage located several doors from where he was standing. The witness heard a bang and went to investigate. As he approached an intersection, he observed the airplane on the ground, taxiing north, before it turned 180 degrees back towards the south. Once the airplane completed its 180-degree turn, it started a southbound takeoff roll. Approximately 380 feet along its takeoff roll, the airplan…

The airplane collided with terrain during an attempted go-around at about 1140 Pacific time. The renting Private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. During a landing attempt, the airplane crossed the approach end of the runway at 50 feet agl. The airplane rolled suddenly to the left and the stall warning horn briefly sounded. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power, retracted the flaps to 25 degrees and attempting to correct the airplanes left turning tendency with right rudder input. The airplane continued to descend and touched down on its main landing gear in a field about 100 yards west of th…

At about 1210 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during initial climb. The Private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed and IFR flight plan was filed. A witness near the accident site stated he heard the sound of an airplane engine followed by a ripping sound, and then quiet. He further stated that it was raining hard, with thunder and lightning in the area. The airplane was located about 1505 by local police. It struck trees on a hill and came to rest about mile from the airport, on a bearing of 265 degrees from the departure end of Runway 28. All major portions of the airplane were accounted for at the…