Preliminary Reports

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 2355 Central when it collided with terrain while executing an instrument approach. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was filed; night instrument conditions prevailed. The airplane came to rest in the upright position, on a heading of approximately 114 degrees, and about mile south of Runway 35.

At about 1738 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an aborted landing. The instrument-rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot subsequently picked up some light rime ice during the approach and turned on all of the airplanes deicing equipment.

The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1445 Pacific time following loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Abeam the approach end of the runway, the pilot retarded the throttle to about 1000 rpm, then attempted to add power. There was no response from the engine.

While on final approach, a crosswind gust pushed the airplanes nose to the left. The pilot corrected back to the runway centerline but after landing “…a wind gust turned the tail and accelerated a right turn or a ground loop. The left wing touched the ground and the left gear collapsed.” The left main gear fuselage attachment sustained substantial damage.

At 1304 Eastern time, the S-LSA was substantially damaged during collision with trees and terrain following an inadvertent spin and dive recovery. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the flight instructor was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The helicopter was substantially damaged at about 1258 Central time during a hard landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and flight medic sustained serious injuries while the flight nurse sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, after takeoff and while approximately 100 feet in the air, the single-engine helicopter experienced a complete loss of engine power.

At approximately 0930 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged upon impacting terrain during an emergency landing. The private pilot and single passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. While departing Runway 33, smoke began entering the cockpit. The pilot could not see clearly in front of him and elected to land on the nearest visible runway, which was Runway 2.

The pilot overflew the 800-foot long remote airstrip and observed the windsock hanging limp. About the time he reached the approach end of the uphill-sloping runway, the airplane encountered a strong tailwind gust, which pushed it “…too far up the strip to land.” The pilot executed a go-around, but his decision was “too late,” and he was unable to out-climb terrain.

At 1720 Eastern time, the airplane collided with a tree while making a forced landing following loss of engine power. The airplane incurred substantial damage and the pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot later stated the engine power “rolled back” while in cruise at 8000 feet msl and the propeller continued to windmill.

The airplane was destroyed on colliding with wooded terrain during a forced landing at about 1920 Eastern time. The flight instructor and private pilot were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The airplane departed Runway 36 and turned downwind at 1000 feet. The last three radar targets show the airplane at 1000 feet, 800 feet, and 400 feet respectively, in a left arc toward the airport.