PiperPacer

According to the flight instructor, the flight departed for a night cross-country with a student pilot in the left seat and a student pilot in the rear seat. After completing a full-stop landing, they taxied back to the runway to complete additional pattern work. As the student pilot began to rotate the airplane during takeoff roll, the flight instructor “saw an animal directly in front of the airplane on the centerline” and grabbed the flight controls in an effort to “miss the animal.”

At about 1500 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear collapsed while landing. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Following an uneventful takeoff, the pilot performed the before-landing checklist while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. After verifying normal indications, he employed a short-field landing technique.

The airplane was on initial climb-out at 1440 Eastern time when the lower half of the main cabin door came open. The pilot reversed course and returned to the departure airport. The right main tire blew out on the landing roll. The airplane went off the right side of the runway, struck a tree, caught fire and came to a complete stop. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 0815 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and light pole shortly after takeoff. The private pilot was killed and his three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. A tower controller noted the airplane remained on the runway until just after the 4000-foot point and did not appear to be climbing. The controller cleared the flight for a left turnout to clear rising terrain, and asked the pilot if he was making a left downwind departure.

The pilot was landing to the west. Winds reported at the time of the accident were from 330 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot said he was about five to seven feet above the ground and about to touch down when “a big crosswind” came under his right wing and he lost control. The airplane impacted the grassy area to the left of the runway.

At about 0215 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while making a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. According to preliminary ATC information, during cruise flight at 7000 feet msl, the pilot reported a loss of engine power. He was then radar vectored by ATC towards the closest airport. Approximately three nautical miles southeast of the divert airport, radar contact was lost as the airplane descended below the radar coverage area.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1500 Alaska time when it impacted terrain. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed. The accident airplane was lead for a flight of two. The second airplanes pilot subsequently reported noticing deteriorating weather ahead. The lead plane continued towards rising terrain and worsening weather.

The commercial pilot experienced a total loss of aileron control prior to landing without damage or injury. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot was level at 2000 feet msl when the airplane entered an uncommanded left roll. He disengaged the autopilot and discovered the ailerons were not responding. The pilot landed successfully at a nearby airport using the rudder to control the airplane.

At about 1315 Eastern time, the Piper collided with the stationary glider, N747GW while landing. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. There were no injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The Pipers pilot reported he “couldnt get the brakes to work” after touchdown and intentionally ground looped the airplane to prevent running into people and other parked aircraft.

At about 1354 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a high school building during takeoff initial climb. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and three passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries.