Preliminary Reports

At about 1030 Eastern time, the airplane collided with trees during takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged; the commercial pilot and sole occupant sustained minor injuries. The pilot later stated the auxiliary fuel pump was on for takeoff, and during the initial climb, the engine did not seem like it was developing full power. The flight continued past the departure end of the runway, over trees, clipped tops of them, then descended and impacted the ground.

The airplane was ditched in San Francisco Bay at about 1350 Pacific time following a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later stated he was flying at about 1500 feet msl when the engine started to lose power, and he then noticed there was no oil pressure indicated. The engine lost power and he decided the best place to land was the water. After the airplane was recovered, investigators observed a hole in the engine crankcase near the number two cylinder.

The airplane was destroyed on impacting terrain at 2024 Mountain time following a loss of control while maneuvering for landing. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was observed on radar to fly over the airport from the southwest and turn to the west to maneuver for landing on Runway 9. Several witnesses observed it at a low altitude and appearing to initiate a turn that was followed by a “rapid descent” and impact with the ground.

The helicopter was destroyed at about 0538 Central time when it impacted an occupied house and terrain. Instrument conditions prevailed at the time of the accident; no flight plan was on file. The private pilot and a passenger were fatally injured; the five occupants in the house were uninjured. Earlier, witnesses reported hearing but not seeing a helicopter that sounded “really low.” Reportedly, its “engine sounded like it was at low RPMs.”

The airplane incurred substantial damage at 1600 Eastern time when it impacted terrain during a banner-tow operation. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot took off and executed the banner pick-up maneuver but missed. During the second attempt the pilot “heard and felt a pop from the elevator cable.” The airplane leveled off and he reduced engine power. With the flight control stick fully aft, he observed the elevator was in the neutral position.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1630 Eastern time during an emergency landing immediately after takeoff. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, all three fuel drains were activated prior to the days first flight. No water was observed in the fuel samples from the two wing tanks. The pilot did not capture the contents when he drained the gascolator, since it is activated from the cockpit. After two uneventful flights, the pilot pumped approximately 21 gallons of fuel from a self-service facility into the right wing tank. The pilot sampled fuel from the right tank drain, and did not observe any water. He also activated the cockpit control to drain the gascolator, but again did not capture the sample.

At 1915 Central time the airplane received substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a nonprecision instrument approach. Instrument conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand passenger flight, which was operating on an IFR flight plan. The commercial pilot and two passengers received fatal injuries. The airplane wreckage was located about one-half mile southwest of approach end of Runway 36 and was orientated on a tail-to-nose heading of about 225 degrees.

At about 2353 Eastern time, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway during a takeoff attempt. The two crewmembers and two of the four passengers were fatally injured; the other two passengers suffered serious injuries. The aircraft, being operated as an on-demand passenger flight under Part 135, was destroyed by extensive post-crash fire. Weather was reported as clear with light winds.

At about 1206 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an attempt to return to the departure airport. The captain, first officer and an observer received fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the post-maintenance check flight; an IFR flight plan was filed. The accident flight was the first following a “C” check, which included flight-control cable rigging.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 1810 Pacific time following a loss of power and loss of control. The airline transport first pilot in the left seat, the airline transport second pilot in the right seat and the flight mechanic in the jumpseat were killed. Visual conditions prevailed for the air drop flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.