PiperPacer

The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1608 Pacific daylight time, during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 500 feet, the engine “sputtered” and subsequently “quit.” He executed a forced landing to a construction site. The airplane touched down in rough terrain and its landing gear sheared off.

At about 2032 Eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6493W, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain. The private pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. Nearing its destination and in contact with ATC, the airplane began to descend to 3500 feet msl. It then turned off the established course to the east. When queried by the controller, the pilot turned back on course. No further transmissions were received and moments later radar contact was lost.

The pilot subsequently stated that, while en route, he noticed his GPS was inoperative and decided to divert to a nearby airport. As he approached the airport, he noted the runway in use and accordingly entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. While on approach, the pilot discerned the airplane was too high and too fast, which he believed resulted in a short downwind leg. The airplane landed hard and bounced twice, veering off the runway. It continued forward and collided with a fence, coming to rest upright on a dirt berm.

At about 1845 Pacific time, the airplane collided with terrain and was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed; the private pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. Witnesses in the area reported that they observed the aircraft maneuvering in the valley at altitudes between 1000 feet agl to about 50 feet above the trees. No one saw the aircraft hit the ground in a clear cut area behind a dense stand of trees.

The airplane sustained minor damage during the initial climb at about 1830 Eastern time. The airline transport pilot and a student pilot were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the airline transport pilot (ATP), the student pilot had just completed a touch-and-go. When the ATP took control of the airplane to demonstrate a maneuver, he noticed there was very little resistance from the stabilator. He then checked all trim settings, trimmed the airplane for climb and continued to fly the traffic pattern. There was little resistance from the stabilator, but the ATP was able to land the airplane without incident.

The airplane landed long at about 1100 Mountain time, overrunning the departure end of the runway and sliding down an embankment. The airplane came to rest on its tail and left wing, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

At 0707 Eastern time, the airplane made a forced landing to an open field on its initial takeoff climb. Visual conditions prevailed. A post-crash fire destroyed the airplane. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The remaining passenger was transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries and died that evening. A witness who is also a pilot and flight instructor observed the accident airplane taxi for takeoff. The witness later said the tail of the airplane was low, “as if the airplane was overloaded.” The witness also reported the accident airplanes takeoff roll was slow and long, and it used about 3000 feet of the runway before the pilot “forced [it] off the runway.” Once the airplane became airborne, its climb was “flat.” The airplane cleared trees by about 100 feet and disappeared from view behind another tree line. The witness stated he observed a plume of black smoke and knew the airplane had crashed.

The airplane was destroyed by impact and post-impact fire when it collided with trees and a residence at about 1255 Alaska time during an RNAV GPS instrument approach. The private, instrument-rated pilot, and the three passengers aboard received fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed. According to the FAA, the airplane had been cleared for the RNAV GPS 11 approach; the pilot reported he was planning a circling approach to runway 29. Witnesses reported that the weather in the area included low clouds and reduced visibility due to rain. One witness saw the airplane descending from the base of clouds, which he estimated as 500 feet above the ground. The airplane collided with several trees, separating the outboard portion of the left wing. The inboard section of the left wing separated from the fuselage just prior to the airplanes collision with a house. An extensive postcrash fire consumed the residence, and destroyed the airplane.

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impacting terrain at 0510 Central time. The private pilot and sole occupant received fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed. The pilot was departing on a local flight.

The airplane crashed on a dirt road in a mining facility at about 0815 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed. The Airline Transport pilot and passenger received fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Shortly after takeoff, a witness working in the mining facility heard an airplanes engine go into idle or shut off. He looked up and the airplane was at about 800 feet agl in a nose-down dive, spiraling counter-clockwise.