Preliminary Reports

At 1530 Pacific time, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight and made a forced landing in a forested area. The solo pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, his pre-flight inspection and pre-takeoff run-up were normal, although the airplane did not feel “as spunky as normal.” About 10 minutes from his destination, the engine began to run rough.

The airplane was substantially damage during a forced landing into a wooded area, at about 0700 Central time, following a total loss of engine power. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was in effect. The pilot reported departing with six hours of fuel for the four-hour flight. While cruising at 6000 feet near Montgomery, Ala., the engine began to run rough. The pilot enriched the fuel mixture to alleviate the rough running engine, which resulted in higher fuel burn rate.

At about 1340 Pacific time, the airplane departed the runway during takeoff and sustained structural damage to the left wing. The pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot was to ferry the airplane to Australia the following day, with a planned intermediate stop in Hawaii. He had performed two test flights the day before the accident, noting slightly higher right-engine oil temperature and a shudder in flight that lasted for no more than a second or two. The pilot decided to undertake one more test flight, with a mechanic.

The airplane cruised into the western face of Mount Si at about 0154 Pacific time. It fragmented upon impacting trees and upsloping mountainous terrain, which resulted in substantial structural damage. The commercial pilot held a flight instructor certificate; the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. A pilot-rated witness observed the anticollision and navigation lights from a low-flying airplane cruising southeasterly.

At 1732 Eastern time, the airplane collided with a pole while landing, sustaining substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and a passenger sustained minor injuries. On arriving in the area, tower personnel instructed the pilot to enter a left downwind leg to Runway 4. These instructions were subsequently changed to a right downwind leg. A Gulfstream jet was cleared to land in front of him. He was then cleared to land and the airplane touched down on the main landing gear.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at approximately 0745 Mountain time following a loss of aircraft performance. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, the takeoff appeared normal. Once in the air, the airplane’s climb rate was not what he expected. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot entered a right turn. Shortly, the airplane’s stall horn started to sound.

The pilot was conducting a series of practice accuracy landings in preparation for a checkride. He reported that he inadvertently forgot to extend the landing gear. He added that he did not remember hearing the landing gear warning horn just before touchdown because he had allowed himself to become fixated on maneuvering the aircraft to the precise landing point.

At 0628 Mountain time, the airplane collided with terrain after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured; two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence, and was partially consumed by post-impact fire. Night instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. A witness in her automobile observed an airplane to her right, which appeared to be descending steeply at high speed.

At about 1211 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced water landing after a partial loss of power during initial climb. The private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot was executing a series of touch-and-go landings. After touching down, adding power and initiating climb, the airplane’s engine lost partial power, dropping to approximately 2000 rpm. The pilot elected to do a water landing on the Willimantic Reservoir, which was close to the end of the runway, but had too much speed. During a series of S-turns, the left lower wing’s float struck the water and separated from the airplane.

The private pilot was receiving instruction to become familiar with his newly acquired tailwheel-equipped airplane. After practicing some standard flight maneuvers at altitude, the pilot returned to the departure airport to practice full stop landings and takeoffs. On the fifth landing, the pilot made a three-point touchdown and rolled straight ahead. During the rollout, the airplane suddenly swerved to the right.