Van's

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1316 Pacific time when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The solo commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Multiple witnesses observed the accident airplane flying northbound over their position at about 130 feet agl. The witnesses observed the airplane initiate a right turn to the east before performing several barrel rolls. The airplane turned west and performed a loop. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain during the maneuver.

At about 1630 Pacific time, the tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing roll. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot performed a straight-in approach and wheel landing. As the airplane slowed and the tail dropped, the pilot applied full aft elevator. As he approached the desired taxiway, he applied brakes; a wind gust caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto its left wing.

At about 1511 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed during an explosion after landing. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. While the airplane was on short final, “about 200 feet from the runway,” the pilot experienced a “brief whiff” of an odor similar to “a gas smell.” Upon landing the passenger asked if they should open the door and the pilot stated “wait [un]til we clear the runway.”

The airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1000 Central time during a forced landing following the loss of a propeller blade while in cruise flight. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. In an interview, the pilot reported departing the local airport and was in cruise flight when a blade from the three-blade wooden propeller separated from the airplane.

At 1411 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness reported the airplane performing a hammerhead-type maneuver. The witness reported a second maneuver was performed from which the airplane did not recover. The witness reported the engine sputtered and sounded like it went to idle as the airplane spun toward the terrain.

The airplane collided with the ground at about 0905 Eastern time, receiving substantial damage. Instrument conditions prevailed. The non-instrument rated private pilot was killed. The pilot did not file a flight plan or receive a weather briefing before departing on a VFR flight. A witness heard a small airplane northeast of his home. The engine was at a very high rpm and sounded like it was under “a lot of strain.” The engine noise lasted about three seconds, and then there was complete silence, followed by an impact sound which he attributed to thunder.

While on final approach to land, the pilot initiated a go-around due to a glider on the runway. When he added power, the engine quit, forcing the pilot to land short of the runway. The airplane impacted the airports perimeter fence. The right fuel tank was empty and the fuel selector was on the left tank. Investigators confirmed flow from the left tank and no flow from the right tank.

The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 1915 Central time during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplanes nosewheel dug into the ground and the airplane “nosed over,” coming to rest in the inverted position. The solo pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1435 Eastern time, the airplane crashed into trees and was substantially damaged. The private pilot/owner was killed and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses observed the airplane at what they estimated to be about 300 feet AGL perform what appeared to be an aerobatic maneuver and then disappear from sight.

At 0830 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Greenville, Penn. The private pilot was fatally injured; visual conditions prevailed. According to a family member, the pilot intended to practice touch-and-go landings and to make sure everything was functioning properly prior to a planned afternoon trip in the airplane with his family. The Experimental airplane was equipped with a non-certificated liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, turbocharged, six-cylinder engine.