Preliminary Reports

At about 18:02 eastern time, a Piper PA-31-250 operating as a Part 135 air taxi flight ditched into the Atlantic Ocean about 300 yards from shore. The pilot and three passengers were seriously injured and a fourth passenger died. The aircraft originated from the Bahamas at about 16:35. The pilot initially declared a minimum fuel status to Miami Center, then told the tower controller he would have to ditch short of the coastline….

At approximately 1533 central time, a Beech D-45 crashed during a go-around from runway 01 at the Minden-Webster Airport, killing both aboard. Both pilots were in the process of relocating to the area and had only recently met. Witnesses said the airplane took off about 30 minutes before the accident. It returned, performed a roll over the runway and then executed a series of touch and goes. During the fourth approach, the airplane did not touch down. Subsequently, the airplane entered a left turn and descended uncontrolled to the ground….

At 1554 eastern time, an Extra 300L and a Navion B collided while landing on runway 09 right at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport during Sun n Fun. The pilot in the Extra and the two occupants of the Navion were uninjured. The Extra pilot said he entered a left downwind for runway 09 right and followed other traffic. He initially saw the Navion ahead of him but, during the landing, landed on top of the Navions left wing….

At 10:45 mountain time, a Beech 58P on a post-maintenance test flight suffered an inflight fire in the left engine nacelle just after takeoff from Boise Air Terminal. Neither the pilot nor the mechanic was injured. The two were making a test flight after heavy maintenance and all preflight inspections and operations were normal. After the airplane climbed to about 20 feet, the pilot noticed flames coming from the left engine. He landed on the remaining runway. The fire damage was contained to the accessory section aft of the firewall, but one engine mount and the structure around the engine, including the fuel tank, were damaged….

At about 1625 Alaska time, a Beech 18 crashed into shallow water in a tidal mud flat about one-half mile south of the Juneau International Airport, killing the pilot. The pilot was delivering building materials to a remote lodge. On the first flight, the airplane apparently was loaded with 73 bundles of wooden roof shakes. On the second flight, the airplane apparently was loaded with the remainder of the order, 77 bundles of roof shakes. Each bundle weighed about 56 pounds. Several witnesses consistently reported that the airplane departed runway 08 and climbed to about 200 to 300 feet above the ground. As the airplane approached the departure end of the runway, the nose of the airplane abru…

At 21:58 Pacific time, a Cessna 152 crashed into mountains shortly after takeoff from Petaluma Municipal Airport, killing the student pilot. The pilot had not been scheduled or authorized by the flight school to fly that night. He was not qualified or endorsed in the accident airplane type, and was not qualified or endorsed to fly solo at night. The crash site was about two miles from the airport and about 400 feet above airport elevation….

At approximately 1006 Pacific time, a Beech G35 broke up in flight four miles west of Willows, killing the pilot and passenger. Witnesses said the airplane was approaching Thunderhill Park from the southwest at 1500 feet agl and a high speed. It banked sharply and began to circle the park when suddenly the tail began to shake violently. The tail separated and the airplane broke apart as it came down….

At 17:03 eastern time, a Cessna 172R was crashed into the side of the Bank of America Building, killing the student pilot. The student was instructed to preflight the airplane and wait for the instructor, but instead the student took off without clearance from the tower. The airplane flew over the control tower and three hangars at McDill Air Force Base before proceeding downtown. An unarmed Coast Guard helicopter intercepted the airplane and attempted to get the pilot to land. The helicopter pilots said they believed the student pilot saw their hand gestures and gestured back, however they could not determine what kind of gestures the student pilot was making. Shortly thereafter, the airpla…

At 2135 eastern time, a Piper PA-34-200T crashed while executing the ILS/DME RWY 36 approach into Waterbury-Oxford Airport, killing the pilot. Witnesses reported hearing the engines at moderate power, then the power decreased for a few seconds before revving to full power. The crash site was about 2,000 feet southeast of runway 36. Weather reported at the time included wind from 210 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 15 visibility 2-3 miles, ceiling 200-300 feet overcast, temperature 54 degrees F, dewpoint 51 degrees F….

At 10:10 central time, a Beech BE95-B55 crashed while maneuvering near Oak Grove, killing the pilot. IMC prevailed and the pilot was instrument rated, but no flight plan was filed. The pilot flew from Monroe, La., to a private hunting ranch near Avon the previous day. Because the weather was forecast to deteriorate, the pilot decided to return his airplane to Monroe and drive back to the ranch. A preflight weather briefer told him VFR flight was not recommended. The ceiling at the destination was about 3,000 feet, but at the accident site it was about 500 feet. A witness saw the airplane at about 300 feet agl in a steep left bank. The 1,500-hour pilot had owned the airplane since 1994….