Cessna182

At approximately 0915 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged following a loss of power and subsequent forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed; the pilot and passenger were not injured. As the pilot turned the airplane from downwind to base, the engine stopped running. He made a successful off-field landing in a grass field approximately two miles from the airport. Shortly after landing, the engine began running again and the airplane started taxiing slowly.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field at approximately 1820 Central time, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries; the other passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 0915 Mountain time. The instrument-rated private pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Air traffic control tapes showed the airplane on radar from 0840 to 0902. The last radar contact was approximately 30 miles north of the accident site, at 11,800 feet. There was no record of voice communications between the pilot and ATC. Examination of the airplane and accident site indicates the airplane was approximately 55 degrees nose low when it impacted terrain at a 12,300-foot elevation. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. All three propeller blades showed evidence of chord-wise scratches and leading edge chips.

The two aircraft collided on the ground at about 1530 Pacific time. There were no injuries. The Extra sustained minor damage, and the Cessna sustained substantial damage to its tail section. Visual conditions prevailed. After landing and exiting at Delta taxiway, ATC directed the Cessna pilot to hold short of taxiway Zulu. The pilot then received clearance to taxi to parking via taxiway Zulu. While reading back the clearance, the pilot felt the airplane “jump and shutter” and saw debris fly from behind him into his propeller.

At 0937 Eastern time the airplane crashed into a residential area and was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed; the solo private pilot received serious injuries. About 10 miles from his departure airport, the engine started running rough, and the pilot turned back to the airport. While on short final, the engine stopped and he made a forced landing in the backyard of a private residence. Post-crash examination of the engine revealed the No. 1 and No. 2 connecting rods were broken and came through the top of the aft section of the engine case and the No. 5 piston had failed.

The airplane impacted terrain and was destroyed at approximately 1545 Mountain time following a partial loss of engine power. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Instrument conditions were reported by the passenger. In a statement, the passenger reported the airplane was cruising at 16,000 feet msl and entered clouds containing light snow. Thereafter, the airplane would not maintain altitude and its engine began to sputter. The passenger recalls that the pilot stated that they were experiencing a “mixture problem.” The passenger stated the airplane would “nose over” as the pilot attempted to control it. The airplane impacted a mountain at 10,400 feet msl.

During landing in crosswind conditions, the pilot attempted to correct for crosswind with rudder and aileron inputs. While “continued correcting for crosswind and gusts,” the pilot applied full throttle to execute a go-around. The airplane “settled on the east of the runway and went into the grass.” An examination of the airplane showed that the wings were buckled, and the left main and nose landing gears were separated. An examination of the airplanes systems showed no anomalies.

At 0525 Eastern time, the airplane collided with a swamp and the ground while maneuvering. Night visual conditions prevailed. The airplane received substantial damage; the non-instrument-rated private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. A witness later stated he heard an airplane approaching. He looked towards the west; the ceilings were between 800 to 1000 feet, and it was dark with very little ambient light. He observed the airplane flying from the west to the east, and the navigation and landing lights were on. The airplane appeared to be near the base of the clouds, and it passed north of his house and started a turn to the north. The airplane disappeared from view and he did not hear any change in engine noise.

The pilot reported an uneventful runup and normal takeoff. During initial climb, the engine lost power and he initiated a 180-degree turn towards the departure runway due to a lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck an airport perimeter fence and subsequently nosed into the ground. A post-accident inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.

The airplane was destroyed upon impacting mountainous terrain while in a climb at approximately 1930 Pacific time. Both the left-seat and right-seat certificated airline transport pilots sustained fatal injuries. Visual dark night conditions prevailed. A local law enforcement helicopter pilot, who was on an aerial patrol mission at the time of the accident, subsequently reported observing an explosion in mountainous terrain southwest of Las Vegas. The pilot stated he flew directly to the impact area, which took approximately five to seven minutes.