Preliminary Reports

At about 1757 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of engine power while on final approach. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that after an uneventful flight, he entered the traffic pattern for runway 10 left. As he turned from base leg to final, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he realized that he “ran the right fuel tank out of fuel” and immediately switched to the left fuel tank and turned on the electric fuel boost pump.

The autopilot was inadvertently engaged while taxiing to the departure runway. The pilot and his passenger attempted to disengage the autopilot by depressing the “A/P” button on the units control panel, but eventually turned off the avionics master switch to completely power down the unit. After reestablishing power to the avionics, the autopilot appeared disengaged. The pilot then attempted a takeoff but the airplane “prematurely” became airborne during the takeoff roll.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 0925 Pacific time, following a reported loss of engine power during a missed approach. The instrument-rated private pilot and one of his two passengers sustained serious injuries; one passenger sustained minor injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed.

The non-certificated pilot was interested in purchasing the airplane and took it for a spin. During the takeoff, and approximately 40-50 feet into the air, the engine lost power. The pilot tried to turn back to the runway, but was unable. The airplanes tail hit the ground first followed by the main wheels. A check of the runway and accident site, revealed skid marks on the runway pointing to the crash site corresponding to the airplanes landing gear. Foot-deep ground scars were consistent with a rotating propeller. A review of the pilots certificate revealed that he was issued a student pilot certificate in April 1990, and did not have any flight instructor endorsements.

At about 0245 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground short of the runway. Night instrument conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were killed. One of the passengers was being flown to a hospital in preparation for an organ transplant. According to an employee at an FBO, the pilot contacted him via radio between 0200 and 0300 and asked about the weather. The employee replied that the visibility was low due to fog, and he could not see the terminal lights from the FBO. According to the FAA, ATC cleared the flight for an ILS approach to Runway 29 at about 0240; the control tower was closed.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the side of a mountain at about 1126 Pacific time, killing the pilot and three passengers. Visual conditions were prevalent for most of the flight. The pilot had been in contact with the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center; no distress calls were reported. According to radar data, at about 1050, the airplane was at a Mode C altitude of 12,800 feet, in the Palm Springs, California area. At 1118, the altitude was 13,500 feet. The last radar hit was at 1125:38, which showed about a 900-foot-per-minute descent in 12 seconds.

The airplane crashed into trees at 1824 Eastern time, shortly after takeoff. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, three passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane received substantial damage. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to a pilot-rated passenger, the liftoff and initial climb appeared normal; soon it was apparent the airplane was not accelerating. The passenger mentioned to the pilot that the airspeed seemed to be stagnating and he confirmed the same concern. The pilot and passenger both checked for full throttle position and rpm, which was at that time 2150.

While performing a touch-and-go landing on a turf runway, the newly tailwheel-endorsed pilot encountered a sudden crosswind. The airplanes nose turned left as the airplane bounced back into the air. The pilot initiated a go-around and added right rudder. The airplane then exited the runway and headed for an airfield wind indicator, so the pilot reduced engine power and maneuvered the airplane away from the obstruction.

At about 1130 Eastern time, a Piper Cherokee Six and a Piper Dakota were substantially damaged when they collided in mid-air about five nautical miles north of the Ply-mouth Municipal Airport (PMZ). The private pilot aboard the Cherokee Six and the private pilot in the Dakota suffered minor injuries. Both airplanes were operating in visual conditions. The Cherokee Six pilot was practicing the GPS Runway 21 approach, using the autopilot. The Dakota pilot was inbound to PMZ and navigating via GPS.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted flat terrain at an unknown time, killing the solo pilot. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight was to test a retractable tailwheel installed on the airplane. It was a flight of two, with a friend of the pilots flying behind to observe the tailwheel operation. The second pilot reported nothing unusual was noted with the flight until he observed the accident airplane flying “erratically.” He attempted to raise the accident pilot on the radio, but received no response.