PiperPacer

At about 2026 Pacific time the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and the ground during an emergency landing following a reported loss of engine power. The flight instructor, pilot-rated student receiving instruction and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. During a descent, the instructor noticed turbulence was becoming stronger and initiated a climb back to the original cruising altitude of 3500 feet. As the airplane climbed through about 3000 feet, a severe jolt shook the airplane followed by a loss of power in both engines. The instructor initiated a forced landing to an area that appeared dark to avoid hitting structures, and was unable to see the ground until the airplane was about 50 feet above ground level. Subsequently, the airplane stuck trees and impacted the ground.

The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 1139 Central time following a forced landing after initial takeoff. The private pilot and sole occupant was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to a witness, the airplane was departing the runway and climbed to approximately 400 feet above ground level when the engine began “sputtering.” As the airplane began a “sharp” turn back to the runway, the engine quit and the airplane descended towards the field. Both main landing gear were separated from the airplane and both wings sustained impact damage.

At about 1130 Mountain time the airplane collided with terrain during an attempted landing. The airline transport pilot and sole occupant was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, who was familiar with the airport, the runway was covered with two or three inches of snow and he could not easily discern its centerline. When he touched down, one of the airplanes main gear was not on the runway surface and impacted a snow-covered mound of previously plowed snow. That impact threw the airplane sideways and it collided with more previously plowed snow. All three landing gear struts collapsed and the airplanes belly sustained considerable structural damage.

At about 1430 Pacific time, the two aircraft collided in flight while maneuvering to land. None of the three aboard the two airplanes was injured; the Piper sustained minor damage while the Glastar was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. As the Piper approached the runway to land, its pilot heard a thump and then saw the Glastar climb out from below. He noted damage to the Glastars rudder. The Piper landed; the Glastars pilot encountered control difficulties and flew to a nearby airport for an uneventful landing.

At about 1348 Alaska time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ocean following loss of control shortly after takeoff. The airplane was being operated as an on-demand Part 135 charter flight. Of the 10 people aboard, the airline transport pilot and five passengers were fatally injured, three passengers sustained serious injuries and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1230 Central time, the airplane was destroyed upon impact with terrain following loss of control while on an instrument approach. The instrument-rated private pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed. According to radar and voice data for the flight, the pilot attempted to intercept an ILS localizer three times without success. The pilot reported having trouble performing a coupled approach. A witness, a retired Navy instructor pilot, observed the accident airplane and stated, “The [airplane] exhibited a classic approach turn stall maneuver I had taught many times, but this time with no altitude to recover.”

At about 0715 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power. The private pilot and the sole occupant was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 7500 feet msl, the airplanes engine lost partial power. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, switched fuel tanks, cycled the propeller, adjusted the mixture and throttle settings, and worked through the emergency checklist. When engine power could not be restored, the pilot elected to land in an open field. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The recovery crew reported the airplanes left wing contained approximately 28 gallons of liquid consistent with 100LL fuel. The right wing fuel tank had been compromised during the accident.

The two airplanes were destroyed at 1454 Eastern time during a mid-air collision over the Everglades. The private pilot in the Piper and the student pilot in the Cessna were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The Piper was operating on an IFR flight plan. Preliminary review of ATC data reveal both airplanes had operating transponders and altitude encoders, with the Piper operating on a discreet transponder code, and the Cessna operating on the standard VFR 1200 code. Prior to the collision, the Piper was headed eastbound at 2000 feet msl and the Cessna was headed southbound. At 1453:35, the controller advised the Piper pilot of “traffic eleven oclock, two miles, southbound, altitude indicates two thousand two hundred.”

The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and ditched at about 0830 Eastern time. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, while returning to the airport following practice maneuvers, the engine lost power. The pilot announced the loss of engine power over the Unicom radio frequency and prepared the airplane for ditching. After ditching, the pilot and passenger egressed through the cabin door, and were picked up shortly afterwards by the Coast Guard. The pilot stated that the airplane floated for about three minutes and then began to sink.

While on final approach for a 1500-foot private turf strip, the airplane contacted trees, then utility wires and came to rest upright. During the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and the pilot incurred minor injuries. The reported weather at an airport located approximately 19 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included calm winds, a broken ceiling at 9000 feet, and visibility 10 miles. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.