Cessna172

The airplane was substantially damaged when it crashed into Old Tampa Bay at about 1538 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. A witness reported seeing the airplane flying at an estimated altitude of 100 feet, then saw the airplane in an estimated 90-degree right bank. The airplane then rolled into a 45-degree left bank, followed by rolling wings-level. The airplane was then observed in a 10-15 degree nose-up attitude. The airplane then stalled and descended in a nose- and left-wing-low attitude.

At about 1534 Pacific time, the two aircraft collided in flight while approaching to land. The midair collision occurred at a location and in a flight direction consistent with the 172 entering the left-hand traffic pattern, and the 150 being in the patterns downwind leg. All four aboard both aircraft were fatally injured; a person on the ground also was killed. Both airplanes were fragmented during the midair collision and were subsequently destroyed upon falling nose down into buildings, automobiles and parking lots. A witness reported continuously observing both airplanes cruise toward each other for at least five seconds preceding the collision. No maneuvering was observed during the seconds immediately prior to the impact.

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at 1605 Eastern time while maneuvering near Gladwin, Mich. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane maneuvering over their position at a low altitude. The airplane was observed circling in a counterclockwise (left) direction prior to it descending into a wooded area. The airplanes wings quickly banked to the right and left just prior to the airplane descending vertically (nose down) into the trees.

At 1205 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing subsequent to a loss of engine power. The two occupants, a private pilot and a passenger, were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed; the flight originated approximately 20 minutes before the accident. The pilot later told investigators the airplane developed a rough running engine and he elected to land on a nearby road. The airplane collided with a road sign during the landing sequence, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.

The airplane collided with the ground shortly after takeoff at 1030 Eastern time and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and front seated passenger were fatally injured. The two rear-seat passengers were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness later reported observing the takeoff; the airplane was at an extreme angle when it passed by. He watched as the pilot turned into the wind, flying very slowly with approximately 10-15 degrees of flaps deployed. The witness stated the airplane turned almost a full 180 degrees; he believed that the left wing stalled at that point. The airplane then descended straight down from approximately 150 feet agl.

At 1305 Central time the airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. After the accident, the pilot told investigators the aircrafts engine began to experience a gradual reduction in rpm while in cruise flight. After unsuccessful attempts to restore power, the pilot determined the only suitable site for a forced landing was an area of reclaimed land. After the aircraft touched down, the nose wheel “got trapped in loose soil” and the aircraft nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at approximately 1700 Eastern time following an in-flight propeller separation. The Certified Flight Instructor reported no injuries. The student pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At 1030 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during landing. The Student pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, while attempting a crosswind landing, the right main landing gear tire touched down first, followed by the left main landing gear tire. However, when the left hand tire made contact with the ground, “something went wrong.” He held up the left wing as long as possible but the airplane subsequently departed the runway. The airplane impacted the airport perimeter fence.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a bounced landing. The pilot stated he was too high on final approach and began to slip the airplane. As he started his flare, he noticed he was still too high and decided to reduce power to idle. The airplane bounced, became airborne and bounced again. He kept the flare going and touched down again, finally staying on the ground. He taxied to the ramp, shut down the airplane and discovered the nose-wheel tire was flat.

According to the pilot, since the Cessna 172 was high, he adjusted the flight controls for a rapid descent and intercepted the visual glideslope on short final. At that point, the flaps were fully deployed and the throttle at idle. Once over the runway, the pilot flared too high, the airplane landed hard and bounced about four times with each bounce becoming more violent. On the last bounce, the airplane touched down nosewheel first and the propeller struck the runway. The pilot added the runway was twice as long and twice as wide as his home runway, causing him to initiate the landing flare too high.