Preliminary Reports

At about 1415 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an in-flight separation of the left wing during cruise flight. Visual conditions prevailed. The solo pilot was fatally injured.

At about 0918 Central time, the airplane was destroyed during collision with wooded, mountainous terrain following an uncontrolled descent while maneuvering. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger/builder were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight of two airplanes, lead by an airline transport-rated pilot (ATP) in a Swearingen SX300 Experimental originated in Florida with a planned fuel stop in Shelbyville, Tenn.

The pilot observed two deer crossing the runway from left to right just after lifting off during the night takeoff. One deer was in front of him and the other was to the left of his path. He pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to avoid the deer, at which time he heard a loud “bang.”

At 2100 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he was at 2500 feet when he heard a knocking sound in the engine. He proceeded toward the nearest airport, declared an emergency, and noted that the oil pressure gauge read “0” and the oil temperature gauge was “high.”

The airplane incurred minor damage during a landing overrun at 1334 Eastern time. The two airline transport pilots, one flight attendant and eight passengers were not injured. Instrument conditions prevailed. Before landing, the pilots programmed the flight management system with the current winds and temperature, which provided landing distance and reference speed (ref) of 136 knots. The approach was briefed and the pilots elected to add 10 knots to the ref speed due to the wind conditions and executed the localizer approach for Runway 6, (6013 feet by 150 feet).

At about 1535 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain immediately after takeoff. The non-instrument-rated owner-pilot and one passenger received minor injuries; one passenger received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The previous day, the pilot flew the passengers to Catalina Island and then flew back to the mainland. On the day of the accident, the pilot arrived and joined the passengers for lunch. The pilot then noticed weather was deteriorating and suggested they depart.

At about 1040 Central time, the airplane was destroyed by ground impact and post-impact fire after a loss of control during a go-around. The private pilot and right-seat passenger received serious injuries. The rear-seat passenger received fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness saw the airplane landing with its right wing almost hitting the ground. He then saw the airplane at about 100 feet agl, at a slow airspeed and in a nose-high attitude.

The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and collided with terrain at about 1145 Pacific time during a forced landing. The private pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The cross-country flight departed Palm Springs, Calif., about 1000, with a planned destination of North Las Vegas, Nev. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane impacted the approach end of the runway at 1140 Pacific time and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 0900 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing after loss of engine power. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. One passenger was killed. Visual conditions prevailed. At 0828, the pilot aborted takeoff and taxied to parking. At 0843, the pilot requested a taxi clearance and the airplane departed at 0851. At 0855, the airplane was cleared for a touch-and-go landing. At 0857, while on final approach, the pilot requested a go-around.