Preliminary Reports

The airplane collided nose-down onto a taxiway at 1805 Eastern time, shortly after takeoff. The flight instructor, a commercial pilot and two passengers were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. There was a post-crash fire. During initial climb, the flight instructor told ATC they had an engine failure and “needed to turn-around and land.” The controller cleared the flight to land “any runway” and there was no further communications with the flight.

At about 1535 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The flights purpose was to conduct a private pilot practical test. Visual conditions prevailed. The student pilot and designated pilot examiner on-board were not injured.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1215 Mountain time when it impacted terrain while on final approach. The solo student pilot was killed. Visual conditions prevailed for the local supervised solo flight. After completing five or six uneventful takeoffs and landings, the CFI exited the airplane to watch the student conduct a solo flight in the airport traffic pattern.

At approximately 1600 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees at the departure end of a runway during a landing attempt after a cross-country flight. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0940 Eastern time during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Day, visual conditions prevailed. About 20 minutes into the flight, the engine began to lose power. The pilot informed ATC and requested a vector to the closest airport.

At about 2130 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was in effect. Night instrument conditions prevailed. While approaching the destination, the pilot reported a landing-gear indicator problem to ATC, which then gave the pilot a heading and altitude to fly.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees at approximately 1940 Central time following a loss of engine power. Night visual conditions prevailed. The pilot was not injured.According to the pilot, while on base leg for the destination runway, the engine lost power.

At about 2053 Eastern time, the airplane-originally built as an O-2A for the U.S. Air Force-impacted terrain following an in-flight separation of the right wing. The commercial pilot and two pilot-rated crewmembers were killed. Night instrument conditions were present for the flight, which provided aerial support to a U.S. Air Force training exercise. The flight was returning to its base after weather began to deteriorate. A preliminary examination of infrared satellite images for the period showed a short east-to-west band of cumulus congestus type clouds, with rain shower activity, near the area of the accident site.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it descended vertically and impacted terrain at 1306 Mountain time. The flight instructor and student pilot were killed. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was destroyed at an undetermined time following impact with terrain. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane impacted a tree adjacent to rolling pasture. The initial impact point with terrain, contained several ground cuts and appeared consistent with prop strikes. Several ground impact scars and miscellaneous pieces of the aircraft were found along the wreckage path to the airplane wreckage.