Preliminary Reports

At about 1614 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a hotel parking lot shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot-the aircrafts new owner-was fatally injured. The previous owner flew the airplane to the maintenance facility for a pre-purchase/annual inspection. All discrepancies were complied with and the airplanes airframe, propeller and engine logbook were signed off to be in an airworthy condition.

The airplane was substantially damaged at 1421 Eastern time when it collided with the Mohawk River shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight instructor, student pilot and one passenger were killed. A witness watched the pilot make two approaches and decided to pay attention to the takeoff. “As he did his takeoff roll, he kind of ran out of runway.

At about 0830 Mountain time, the airplane impacted the ground shortly after takeoff. The pilot/owner and a certified flight instructor were killed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing at 1815 Eastern time; the private pilot received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident airplane and another airplane (an Extra 300L) were a flight of two flying to an aerobatic competition in Wildwood, N.J. The Extra 300L pilot and the Pitts pilot met near Stow, Mass., at 3000 feet, in “loose formation” for the flight to Wildwood. When approximately 40 miles north of Wildwood, the two aircraft initiated a descent from 8500 to 3000 feet.

At about 1500 Eastern time, the airplane sustained a flight control malfunction. The airline transport pilot was not injured and the airplane was not damaged. Visual conditions prevailed for the post-maintenance test flight following a required inspection. No anomalies were noted during the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run-up, and takeoff roll.

The airplane was substantially damaged during impact with trees at 1555 Central time after a loss of engine power during final approach. The commercial pilot and private pilot aboard were killed. Visual conditions prevailed.

On the student pilots second touch-and-go landing, the airplane bounced and the right wing lifted quickly. After the student applied right aileron and left rudder, the airplane landed back onto the runway on the right main landing gear and nose wheel. The airplane then veered left, departing the runway. The nose wheel dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over.

At about 1421 Mountain time, the airplane collided with mountainous terrain and was destroyed. The private pilot was killed. Visual conditions prevailed. Initial radar data indicates the airplane was on a steady, level course at 8600 feet msl. The final radar return was in the immediate vicinity of where the airplane wreckage was located. The highest terrain elevation in the vicinity of the wreckage is 9705 feet msl. Weather observed in the area included few and scattered clouds between about 8000 and 9500 feet msl.

At 2202 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control while landing. The instrument-rated private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was consumed by post-impact fire. An instrument flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at approximately 2015 Central time. Visual conditions prevailed for the positioning flight. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. According to friends and family, the pilot had scheduled a night flight lesson with a student to start at 2100, at a different airport. The pilot contacted a family member around 2000 and stated he was preparing to depart for the lesson.