Preliminary Reports

At 1411 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness reported the airplane performing a hammerhead-type maneuver. The witness reported a second maneuver was performed from which the airplane did not recover. The witness reported the engine sputtered and sounded like it went to idle as the airplane spun toward the terrain.

The airplane was destroyed at about 1121 Pacific time when it descended into terrain. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and passenger were killed. A witness observed an airplane matching the make and model of the accident airplane make two high and fast approaches to land. After the second approach, the pilot initiated another go-around, which the witness described as employing a pitch attitude of about 45 degrees and left bank angle of about 60 degrees. The witness lost sight of the airplane seconds later but, a few minutes later, observed the crashed airplane next to the road on which he was driving.

At about 1630 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed by fire while standing following unsuccessful attempts to start its engine. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual conditions existed. The pilot was unsuccessful at his first five attempts to start the hot engine. Before the sixth attempt, the pilot observed smoke from the left engine cowling, followed by fire. An airport operations supervisor stated, after one or two minutes, “…the aircraft engine starter engaged and the engine began to run at a fairly high RPM, well above idle power.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1845 Mountain time, following a forced landing and impact with a tractor-trailer after a reported loss of engine power. The private pilot, his two passengers, and the tractor-trailer driver were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Shortly after takeoff, while troubleshooting a landing gear retraction problem, the pilot noticed airspeed was decreasing “like the engine wasnt producing full power.” The pilot elected to land on an Interstate highway. The airplane impacted a tractor-trailer with its left wing, coming to rest in an upright position. There was no post-crash fire.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing at about 1000 Central time, following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The solo airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to “run rough, as if it had a fouled plug.” While turning to downwind the engine began to “shake violently,” and RPM and altitude were decreasing. The pilot selected a field and performed a soft-field landing, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position.

At 0431 Pacific time, the airplane impacted a hill shortly after departure. The solo commercial pilot was killed and the airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed and a clearance had been issued. Recorded radar data was consistent with the airplane making a shallow left bank and gradually increasing in altitude towards the east. The target was first identified at a Mode C reported altitude of 100 feet msl. During the next minute, radar returns disclosed a gradual ascent to 1000 feet msl; the last two returns show an altitude of 900 feet and a slight change of direction to the south.

The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff at about 0819 Eastern time. A student pilot was in the left seat and a private pilot was in the right seat; neither was injured. Both pilots declined to identify who was flying the airplane or the nature of the flight. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was observed performing touch and go landings. The airplane landed and was beginning another takeoff when the accident occurred. The two pilots told first responders that, after the initial loss of directional control, both of them simultaneously attempted to manipulate the controls to regain directional control.

At 1138 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain following loss of control while circling the departure airport. Both the commercial rated pilot and the student pilot passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces and a post-impact fire. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane depart and climb to an altitude of 500 feet agl or less. The airplane made left-hand turns until it was re-oriented in the direction of takeoff.

Thunderstorms were in the vicinity, but the pilot elected to continue the approach. During a turbulent encounter on short final, the airplane was turned 30 degrees to the right of runway heading and the nose was forced upward. The pilot regained control of the airplane and landed firmly on the runway surface. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, the left wing dug into the grass surface, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted. Witnesses observed the wind shift from a right quartering head wind to a right quartering tailwind while the airplane was on short final.

At about 0845 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and forced landing. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. An FAA inspector reported the engine lost power shortly after takeoff, and a forced landing was attempted at the airfields perimeter. During the landing, the airplane struck power lines before colliding with terrain. Structural damage to the wings resulted.