Preliminary Reports

At about 1630 Pacific time, the tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing roll. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot performed a straight-in approach and wheel landing. As the airplane slowed and the tail dropped, the pilot applied full aft elevator. As he approached the desired taxiway, he applied brakes; a wind gust caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto its left wing.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 0809 Eastern time, shortly after takeoff. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the non-scheduled Part 135 international cargo flight. Witnesses reported the airplane did not sound like it was developing full power. The airplane impacted a tree, a fence and two vehicles before coming to rest in a residential area.

At about 1440 Pacific time, the airplane experienced an uncommanded retraction of the right flap while on the downwind leg for landing. The commercial pilot and two medical flight crewmembers were uninjured; the airplane was undamaged. Visual conditions prevailed.About the time the flaps reached their maximum limit, the pilot heard a popping sound, and the airplane simultaneously rolled about 80 degrees to the right. He counteracted with full left aileron, retracted the flaps and applied full engine power.

The student pilot stated he did not flare the airplane properly, resulting in a hard landing. The nose landing gear collided with the runway; he then made a go-around and landed uneventfully. Another pilot subsequently flew the airplane and returned it early due to a “different sound in engine noise.”

The special light sport aircraft was destroyed when it impacted wooded terrain at 2328 Eastern time. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. Radar data indicated that at 2327:53, the airplane was proceeding northbound over a residential area at 6500 feet. At 2327:57, the altitude readout was 6400 feet. At 2328:02, the altitude readout was 6000 feet, indicating an average descent rate of about 4800 fpm during the previous five seconds.

The aircraft was substantially damaged during collision with terrain at 1030 Eastern time, shortly after takeoff. The private pilot/owner and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed, The flight was destined for a nearby airport, for a fuel purchase. The pilot reported he turned the airplane to the right immediately after liftoff, to avoid a tree. The engine stopped producing power, the stall warning activated and the airplane remained in a right bank until ground contact.

The light sport airplane collided with terrain after takeoff at about 1600 Pacific time. The private pilot/owner sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe and wings from impact forces and a post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the airplane went to an extremely nose-high attitude after liftoff, estimating it never climbed to more than 100 feet agl.

At about 1130 Mountain time, the airplane impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage. The private pilot/owner and his passenger were killed. At the time of the accident, the pilot was flying through an area of multiple layered overcast and broken cloud formations, with light rain. When the aircraft did not arrive at its intended destination, an alert notice for a missing aircraft was issued.

The student pilot was on his third solo flight; the airplane was stable on final approach. He increased the pitch of the airplane and began to flare when the stall warning horn sounded. He then released back pressure, the airplane impacted the runway and the nosewheel “bounced heavily.”

At about 0725 Central time, the airplane, operating as United Airlines Flight 497, exited the left side of a runway after returning due to automated warnings of smoke in an equipment bay. The airplanes nose wheel exited the side of the runway upon completing the landing roll and an emergency evacuation was conducted. The airplane, with 109 passengers and crew aboard, had departed about 20 minutes earlier. The passengers and crew exited the airplane via slides.