Preliminary Reports

At about 1745 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during the landing rollout. The two pilots and crew chief aboard were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. During the landing rollout, both pilots felt the right wing drop and heard a noise like “a blown tire.” They attempted to maintain directional control of the airplane, but the right wing dropped further and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces and a post-crash fire when it collided with trees at 1125 Pacific time. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Before takeoff, the pilot indicated to a friend he would fly over the friend’s home later that morning. The pilot’s friend, who is also a pilot, observed the airplane circling his home. He noted the landing gear and flaps were down.

At about 1420 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during an aborted landing. The private pilot and his three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.

Prior to landing on a dirt road, the pilot overflew the area, noting a group of cows nearby. During the landing flare, the pilot observed a cow approaching the flight path from his left to right and attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid a collision.

At about 1122 Eastern time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it was partially consumed by a post-impact fire after impacting a cornfield. The solo private pilot received fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated about 1116.

The airplane ground looped at about 0755 Mountain time after landing. The solo pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage to its left wing. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at approximately 1000 Mountain time, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot received minor injuries and his three passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1626 Pacific time, an experimental North America P-51D impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Casualties on the ground included 10 fatalities and 74 injured. As of the time of this preliminary report, eight of the injured remain hospitalized, some in critical condition. Visual conditions prevailed for the local air race flight.

An Airbus Industrie A320-211 operated by Air Canada and piloted by an airline transport pilot sustained minor damage at about 1045 Central time when the co-pilot’s window cracked during cruise at FL340.

At about 0813 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplane was observed circling at low altitude. During the third and last circle, the airplane was observed to pitch nose-up, decelerate, then pitch nose-down steeply and descend towards the ground.