August 1, 2005, in Willard, Mo.
Piper PA-28-181 Archer
At 1830 Central time, the aircraft sustained substantial damage when in veered off the end of the runway, impacted a utility pole and nosed over while landing. The Private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported the airplane touched down in the first third of the runway, but the end of the runway was coming at me very fast…so I applied a burst of power to initiate a go-around. I noted power lines off the end of the runway that would be an obstacle to a successful go-around. I was not yet airborne so I rejected the go-around and initiated heavy braking. The airplane went off the end of the runway and veered to the right, impacting a utility pole.
August 1, 2005, Shelter Cove, Calif.
Beech 35-A33 Debonair
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1230 Pacific time when it collided with the ground just off the runways departure end during an attempted go-around. Neither the Private pilot nor the two passengers was injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot subsequently said the airplane was a little high and too fast during the approach, so he elected to go around. After increasing power, the airplane stalled and collided with terrain. The pilot also stated the accident resulted from his pilot error.
August 3, 2005, Lyme, N.H.
Convair BT-13A
At about 1403 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed by impact with terrain while departing a private airstrip. The Airline Transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the airplane was climbing through an altitude of approximately 300 feet agl when it suddenly rolled right to the inverted position, and descended nose-down into a cornfield. A post-crash fire consumed the majority of the fuselage.
August 3, 2005, Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Beech A23
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0910 Pacific time when it collided with terrain about mile short of the runway. The CFI, Student pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. While on base leg of the traffic pattern the engine lost power. An examination of the left fuel tank revealed it was full with fuel; the right fuel tank was empty. The fuel selector valve was positioned on the right tank. The Student pilot stated she did not check the airplanes fuel quantity and could not recall if the CFI finished the preflight inspection. The Student pilot also did not recall the CFI manipulating the fuel selector or turning on the fuel pump.
August 4, 2005, Sinton, Texas
Smith Aerostar 601P
At approximately 0800 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a reported loss of engine power shortly after taking off. The Airline Transport pilot and sole occupant sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the maintenance check flight; the airplane had not been flown in nearly four years due to a propeller strike requiring extensive maintenance. The pilot stated, prior to takeoff, [he] noticed the left engine manifold pressure [was] higher than the right engine, and the left engine revolutions per minute (RPM) was approximately 200 RPM lower than the right engine. The pilot further stated, this should have been cause for aborting the takeoff run immediately, yet he elected to continue the takeoff. After liftoff, the airplane did not climb and then began to descend into trees at the departure end of the runway where it impacted terrain, and slid approximately 300 yards before coming to rest. A post-impact fire ensued. The reason the engine lost power could not be determined.
August 4, 2005, Parker, Colo.
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60
The airplane was destroyed at approximately 0206 Mountain time when it impacted terrain during an instrument approach. The Commercial pilot and sole occupant of the airplane was fatally injured. Night instrument conditions prevailed for the on-demand air cargo flight. Shortly after the flight was cleared to land, the tower controller alerted the pilot he appeared to be well below the glideslope. There was no response. The aircraft wreckage was found approximately four miles south of the runway. All major components of the airplane were found at the accident site. Weather reported at the airport included wind from 010 degrees at eight knots, visibility 2.5 statute miles in rain and mist, broken clouds at 1000 feet, broken clouds at 1600 feet and an overcast ceiling at 2200 feet.
August 5, 2005, Denali Park, Alaska
Beech V35B Bonanza
At about 1250 Alaska time, the airplane was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire when it collided with rising terrain while climbing. The Private pilot and sole passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident airplane was part of a group of 10 airplanes flying from Washington and California on an aerial tour of Alaska. The pilot of the airplane behind the accident airplane indicated he saw the pilot enter a broad pass, and then start to climb as it neared a saddle at the end of the pass. The following pilot noted that he started his climb prior to the accident pilot. Shortly after the accident pilot initiated his climb, the following pilot reported he saw a plume of smoke coming from near the end of the pass.
August 5, 2005, Orlando, Fla.
Cirrus Design Corp. SR22
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1110 Eastern time when its right main landing gear caught fire after an aborted takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The Commercial pilot reported no injuries. The pilot later stated he experienced an intermittent loss of airspeed indication during the takeoff roll and elected to abort the takeoff. He exited the airplane to check if the pitot-static tube cover was removed then noticed smoke from the right main gear skirt, followed by flames. He communicated with the tower about the situation, secured the airplane and evacuated the area. Moments later, the airport fire department arrived to the airplane and extinguished the fire.
August 5, 2005, Coolin, Idaho
RV-4 Experimental
At about 1130 Pacific time, the airplane collided with terrain while maneuvering for landing. Visual conditions prevailed. The aircraft was substantially damaged; the Private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Witnesses reported the aircraft was at about 300 feet agl in the pattern for landing and close to the runway during the downwind leg. The airplane then made a steep banking 180-degree left turn to final when it descended left wing low, colliding with trees and the terrain about 200 yards short of the runway. Witnesses reported hearing the engine during the entire maneuver.
August 6, 2005, Decatur, Ala.
Beech D35 Bonanza
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1045 Central time when it collided with the ground shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The Commercial pilot was fatally injured; the pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries. According to witnesses, the airplane was about 100 to 150 feet above a tree line near the crash site. The airplane appeared to be nose-high and slow, and no engine sound was reported. Witnesses stated that the airplane nosed up slightly, rolled left, then pitched nose down and then collided with the ground.
August 8, 2005, Big Bear City, Calif.
Piper PA-28-235
At 1305 Pacific time, the airplane made a hard right turn while in the landing flare and impacted terrain. The Private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured; the other passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane make a normal landing approach and flare. The engine suddenly went to full power, the nose pitched up and then the plane abruptly turned to the right. It then rolled to the right and impacted the ground inverted.
August 26, 2005, Dunkirk, N.Y.
Piper PA-28RT-201
The airplane was presumed destroyed at about 2115 Eastern time when radar contact was lost over Lake Erie. The Commercial pilot and two passengers were presumed fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to FAA radar and communication records, the airplane approached Niagara Falls from the south at about 2050. The airplane then completed four 360-degree turns in the vicinity of the falls. Shortly, the pilot requested flight following services to Pennsylvania and was established on an approximate 210-degree ground track. Soon, the airplane began a sharp turn to the left. Over the next 70 seconds through 270 degrees of turn, its altitude varied between 4700 and 4400 feet before the airplane disappeared from radar. Search and rescue operations recovered three seats and personal effects.
