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The airplane was destroyed at 1336 Eastern time when it struck high-tension power lines and collided with terrain while maneuvering for landing. The private pilot, a student pilot, and four passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.

The two airplanes collided in midair at about 1630 Eastern time. Both airplanes were being operated as instructional flights in the A-291B concentrated flight training area at the time of the accident and were substantially damaged. The flight instructor and private pilot aboard each were killed. Visual conditions prevailed.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1615 Eastern time during a forced landing after takeoff from a private airstrip. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Near the conclusion of the pre-flight inspection, a friend of the pilot stopped by, and they talked for about 20 minutes. During the conversation, fuel began running out of the right-wing fuel vent. After concluding the conversation, the pilot taxied the airplane to the end of the runway, performed a run-up and placed the fuel selector on the right main tank, in response to the venting fuel. The pilot did not note any abnormalities during the run-up.

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 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.

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 student pilot stated he was established on final approach and “everything was on track.” When the airplane crossed the threshold, he reduced engine power and began the landing flare. After touchdown, the student pilot applied the brakes, which resulted in a skid he was unable to control. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and came to rest in a ditch. The left main landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to its left rear wing spar after the left engine caught fire shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported she was 1000 feet agl when she noticed the left engines manifold pressure had dropped about six inches below the right engines indications. The engine was surging, and she thought that the turbocharger had stopped operating. She returned for landing, noting the CHT was reading zero degrees but all other gauges were normal. After landing, the left engine died.

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.