PiperPacer

Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

At 1150 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed; a VFR flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 7500 feet msl, the engine lost power and oil immediately covered the windscreen.

At about 1955 Central time, the airplane impacted the runway while landing in turbulent conditions. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Instrument conditions prevailed.

At about 1030 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it landed short of the runway. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was destroyed at about 1620 Eastern time when it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the local test fight. The airplane had undergone engine ground checks during the four days prior to the accident. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses observed the airplane make a steep right turn back toward the airport. The pilot transmitted that he was experiencing an “emergency.”

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a bog following a total loss of engine power at about 1500 Eastern time. The flight instructor, private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was on a left downwind for landing. Per the Before Landing checklist, the private pilot turned on the fuel pump and positioned the fuel selector to the fullest (right) tank. The engine then ran rough and lost all power.

At about 2240 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent. The student pilot and two passengers were fatally injured; the unregistered airplane was destroyed. The unauthorized flight was conducted in night instrument conditions.

The airplane veered off the runway at about 1615 Pacific time, while landing, sustaining substantial damage from a post-crash fire. The private pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1819 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain while executing an RNAV (GPS) approach. The instrument-rated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions existed; an IFR flight plan was in effect. Prior to the arrival of the accident airplane, a friend of the pilot flew the same flight in a similarly-equipped airplane. The friend never broke out of the clouds, performed a missed approach and diverted to an alternate airport.

The airplane was substantially damaged during an in-flight breakup at about 1000 Pacific time. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed in the area around the accident site; the aircraft was being operated on an IFR flight plan. Preliminary radar data depict the airplane in cruise flight at FL240 and a course of 335 degrees magnetic. At 0937, the airplane’s heading turned to about 320 degrees and oscillated around that value until the last several radar returns indicated the airplane in a descending turn to the right.