Preliminary Reports

At about 0920 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged after impacting mountainous terrain. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to law enforcement witnesses, the pilot and passenger arrived at their planned surveillance location and established radio contact with personnel on the ground. These personnel and other witnesses observed multiple passes of the airplane at about 500 to 1000 feet agl, followed by maneuvering of the airplane out of their sight.

The amateur-built amphibian sustained substantial damage during impact with wires and terrain while landing at about 1630 Pacific time. The solo commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness observed the airplane on short final to a private grass airstrip when it struck power lines. The aircraft nosed over and impacted terrain.

At approximately 1400 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during takeoff. The private pilot/owner was fatally injured and the CFI sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Two witnesses saw the airplane lift off the runway and climb to approximately 20 feet agl when the engine began to “sputter.” The airplane landed on the runway before initiating a second takeoff. During the second takeoff, the airplane reached approximately 50 feet; the engine continued to sputter. One witness described the airplane rocking from side to side, at a slow airspeed, prior to descending nose-first and impacting the runway.

The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear collapsed on landing. The CFI, a private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the CFI, the airplane was released from maintenance for a faulty nosegear indicator light the day before. While practicing ILS approaches, the nosegear indicator light did not indicate down and locked. However, the flight instructor observed the nose gear was extended.

The pilot had just acquired the airplane and was flying his first cross-country flight in it. He was not monitoring fuel quantity in the left and right fuel tanks, because he thought the fuel selector had a both selection only. However, the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank for the entire trip. On short final at his destination, the airplane’s engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot performed a forced landing, which bent and wrinkled the fuselage and wings. The pilot had logged about 150 hours; five were in the accident make and model.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 1224 Central time. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The 12 parachutists who exited the airplane were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane had climbed to about 11,000 feet msl and was approaching the drop zone. Five parachutists were hanging onto the outside of the airplane; the others were ready to jump when they heard the airplane’s stall warning system.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff. The private pilot/owner and a passenger were fatally injured; a pilot-rated passenger was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses described the takeoff roll as “slow” and “anemic.” The airplane used almost the entire 4222-foot runway before it took off. Moments later, a large smoke plume appeared out of the trees a short distance beyond the airport boundary.

The pilot made a forced landing on a rural road at 2154 Central time. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. Another passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. While en route, the pilot reported to ATC the propeller was overspeeding, there was smoke in the cockpit, the engine was losing power and he couldn’t maintain altitude.

At about 1350 Mountain time, the pilot made a forced landing, substantially damaging the airplane. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Shortly after leveling off at 8000 feet msl, engine rpm increased to redline. The pilot was able to reduce power to 2700 rpm but was unable to maintain altitude. He made a forced landing in a field, During the landing, the left wing struck terrain and separated from the fuselage.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during a forced landing at about 1118 Eastern time after a reported loss of engine power. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. At 1111, the pilot declared an emergency and advised he had “lost” the engine. The controller provided vectors to a nearby airport but the pilot advised he was unable to clear a ridgeline in his path. At 1117, radar and voice communication with the airplane was lost.