Preliminary Reports

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following loss of engine power at about 1455 Central time. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. While descending through 2100 feet msl for his destination, the pilot configured the airplane for landing by reducing engine power to about 1500 rpm and setting the mixture to full rich. He did not activate carburetor heat.

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted wooded terrain at 2041 Eastern time. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed and VFR flight following services were provided by ATC. Radar data showed the airplane in a descent from 7800 feet msl to 2800 feet msl before radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted wooded terrain adjacent to a residence. The homeowner reported he heard a low flying airplane, looked out the back window of his house and noticed a small fire in the woods behind his residence.

The bulkhead (p/n 0450046-5) was installed in 2007 at 1476.4 flight hours and has been inspected each 100 hours since. At the latest inspection, a crack was discovered at the base of the propeller hub; after removing the hub, severe cracking was found, comprising 85 percent of the distance around the center of the bulkhead. Mandatory propeller removal should take place at least every 200 hours of operation for a more thorough inspection of the bulkhead.

The airplane crashed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at about 1330 Eastern time. The airplane received substantial damage and the non-certificated pilot/owner was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplane was maneuvering at tree-top level towards an open field when the engine stopped producing power. The airplane then descended at a steep angle before it collided with terrain, nosed over and came to rest inverted.

At about 2150 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain following an in-flight breakup. The instrument-rated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed. Review of ATC recordings revealed the pilot was diverting around an area of thunderstorms at the time of the accident. The pilot last reported that he was in “bad” weather and was going to try to get out of it.

The airplane impacted terrain at approximately 0145 Central time while flying an ILS approach. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the flight instructor and pilot-rated passenger were both seriously injured. Instrument conditions prevailed for the flight, which was being operated on an IFR flight plan. According to an initial statement from the surviving pilot-rated passenger, the flight was uneventful until the airplane descended on the ILS. The passenger reported that the airplane then entered a fog bank.

At about 1005 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain following an in-flight loss of aircraft control. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was in effect. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instrument-rated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated at 0950. While flying at 17,000 feet msl, the pilot reported he was in icing conditions.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1155 Eastern time, when it impacted the ground while maneuvering. The pilot was performing aerobatics for a re-issuance of his unlimited aerobatic competency card. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

At 1406 Eastern time, the airplane collided with the ground while attempting to return to the departure airport. The airplane was substantially damaged; a post-crash fire ensued. Visual conditions prevailed. The solo private pilot died. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a loss of engine power on the left engine.

The airplane was substantially damaged at 1111 Eastern time when it crashed in a parking lot and struck a parked vehicle. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. On its second attempt to pick up a banner, the airplane picked up the banner and began climbing. At approximately 300 feet agl, the banner was released, the airplane turned left in an approximate 60-degree bank and then began to spin to the right, descended and impacted the ground and a parked vehicle.