September 29, 2013, Santa Monica, Calif. Cessna 525A CitationJet
At 1820 Pacific time, the airplane veered off the right side of a runway and collided with a hangar. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been in effect.
Witnesses observed the airplane make a normal approach and landing, then travel down the right side of the runway and eventually veering off the runway. It then impacted a 1000-foot runway distance remaining sign, continued in a right-hand turn and impacted a hangar before coming to rest inside the hangar. Damage to the hangar caused its roof to collapse onto the airplane. A post-accident fire quickly ensued.
There was no airplane debris on the runway. The three landing gear tires were inflated and exhibited no unusual wear patterns. The pilot did not inform ATC of any problems prior to or during the landing.
September 29, 2013, Algona, Iowa Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
The airplane experienced a hard landing short of the runway at 2050 Central time following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and flight instructor were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported the airplane contained 34 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff and during the flight he switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes. After positioning the airplane to pick up the instructor, and approximately an hour into an instructional flight, the pilot elected to fly to a nearby airport before returning. The engine began sputtering when they were approximately one mile from the fuel stop. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine regained power. They then circled the airport three times trying to turn on the runway lights so they could locate the runway. On the fourth pass, the engine lost power. The pilot made a hard landing short of the runway’s approach end.
September 29, 2013, Edinburg, N.Y. Pitts Special S-1E Experimental
At about 1555 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed following a collision with terrain after an in-flight loss of control. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to witnesses, shortly after takeoff, the pilot initiated a turn back in the direction of the airport. The bank angle increased and the airplane disappeared behind a tree line. The sound of increasing engine noise was heard immediately prior to impact. A majority of the wreckage was consumed by a post-crash fire. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the elevator and rudder. Continuity to the ailerons could not be established due to impact and fire damage.
October 4, 2013, Paulden, Ariz. Cessna 340A
At 1300 Mountain time, the airplane collided with a radio tower while maneuvering. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
Witnesses at a gun club reported the airplane made one low pass from north to south over the club’s buildings, then maneuvered around for another low pass from east to west. During the second low pass, the airplane collided with an approximately 90-foot-tall radio tower. About 10 feet of the tower was sheared off by the airplane’s right wing.
October 5, 2013, Gainesville, Fla. Cessna 172F Skyhawk
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1600 Eastern time when it impacted terrain while making a forced landing. The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed for the banner-tow flight.
According to the pilot, after his third circuit around a football stadium and at about 1200 feet agl, he noticed the airplane had descended about 100 feet so he increased engine power. He then checked the engine gauges and observed the engine oil temperature increasing. The engine stopped producing power shortly after the pilot observed the engine oil temperature reach its limit.
After his first attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful, the pilot released the banner at about 850 feet agl. He attempted to restart the engine two more times and at about 500 feet agl, selected an open field for a forced landing. The airplane overflew about ¾ of the field and touched down at approximately 65 knots. After touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air before it struck a chain link fence and a parked truck. Examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall.
October 6, 2013, Culebra, P.R. Britten-Norman BN-2A-8 Islander
At about 0605 Atlantic time, the airplane was presumed destroyed when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the Part 135 on-demand air taxi cargo flight.
After the airplane became overdue, a search was conducted by the operator and the U.S. Coast Guard. The pilot, small fragments of the fuselage, and the nose gear were subsequently recovered from the water near an area containing a fuel/oil slick.
October 6, 2013, Tinian Island, M.P. Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1624 UTC when it impacted terrain. The commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured; four passengers were seriously injured. Weather conditions included a very dark night with scattered rain.
While en route to the Saipan International Airport, the pilot informed ATC that he was returning to the Tinian Airport due to bad weather conditions. A witness said the airplane passed over him at approximately 500 feet and moments later, he heard the crash. There was no post-impact fire.
October 7, 2013, Belleville, Texas Preceptor Ultra Pup Experimental
At about 1345 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The solo pilot was seriously injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot reportedly told a Texas Highway Patrol officer that his “motor was coming in and out on him.” Initial examination showed the airplane’s right wing and main landing gear were separated from the fuselage. Two blades of the three-blade propeller were broken off at the hub. Approximately five gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing; about the same amount of fuel was in the right wing.
October 8, 2013, Brownwood, Texas Beech S35 Bonanza
The airplane impacted trees and terrain about ½ mile short of a runway at about 0800 Central time, following a loss of engine power. The solo private pilot was seriously injured. A post-impact fire ensued and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot told a witness he was on final approach when the engine lost power. The airplane impacted a mesquite tree and the ground before sliding to a stop. A fire immediately started, consuming most of the airplane’s cabin area. Weather conditions included light winds, clear skies and good visibility. Initial examination of the wreckage showed one blade of the two-blade propeller bent aft. The other blade was straight and showed little damage.
October 8, 2013, Tallahassee, Fla. Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
At about 1210 Eastern time, the airplane sustained minor damage when its nose landing gear collapsed while landing. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed.
Upon raising the landing gear after takeoff, the red gear-warning light remained illuminated. Cycling the gear did not resolve the problem, and the pilot elected to divert to Tallahassee, where the airplane was based. On landing, he again observed three green landing gear annunciators. However, during touchdown, the nose of the airplane continued to slowly drop until the propeller contacted the runway.
Inspection revealed the aft nose landing gear hydraulic actuator bolt was fractured. The bolt head with about one inch of its shank was not recovered.
October 09, 2013, Xenia, Ohio Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1000 Eastern time when it departed the side of the runway and its nosewheel collapsed. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airport manager reported that the airplane touched down with the nose wheel canted approximately 90 degrees. The airplane went off the left side of the runway into the grass before the nose gear collapsed back into the wheel well, and the airplane’s nose and propeller impacted the ground.
October 9, 2013, Julian, Calif. Mooney M20E Super 21
At about 1443 Pacific time, the airplane collided with terrain. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed from impact forces. Visual conditions prevailed.
The FAA reported the pilot was receiving VFR flight following from San Diego Approach Control. The controller lost radio and radar contact and issued an alert notice. The wreckage was located at about 0100 the next day at an elevation of 4200 feet.
October 18, 2013, Clayton, Okla. Cessna 177A Cardinal
The airplane was substantially damaged at approximately 0030 local time when it collided with terrain. A post-impact fire ensued; the commercial pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The wreckage was located in densely forested and rising terrain. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the airplane was not in contact with ATC.
October 18, 2013, Tifton, Ga. Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow
At about 1010 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed during impact with terrain, following loss of control in cruise flight. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
The flight was in contact with ATC while in cruise flight at 6500 feet msl. The airplane descended from 6500 feet to 4500 feet between 1007 and 1008, before radar and radio contact were lost. No distress calls were received from the accident airplane. A witness who lived near the accident site observed the airplane as it flew over his house very fast and then impacted a field next to his property. Observed nearby weather included calm winds, 1.5 sm visibility in light drizzle and an overcast ceiling at 400 feet agl.
October 19, 2013, Boulder, Colo. Long-EZ Experimental
The airplane was substantially damaged at 1045 Mountain time during the takeoff roll. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later stated the airplane swerved left during the takeoff roll. He was unable to regain directional control, and the main landing gear separated from the fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright in a grassy area immediately north of the runway. The left wing and canard structural support were substantially damaged. Additionally, he reported the left main landing gear tire was found deflated following the accident.
October 21, 2013, Talihina, Okla. Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140
At approximately 1530 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain while maneuvering. The solo airline transport pilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was substantially damage. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Witnesses observed the airplane flying at a low altitude in and out of IMC. The accident site was located at 1746 feet msl, and wreckage was distributed along a 220-degree heading.
October 23, 2013, Galveston, Texas North American P-51D Mustang
The airplane impacted Galveston Bay at about 1130 Central time, fatally injuring the airline transport pilot and passenger. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
A witness heard the airplane overhead, heading south. The airplane made a slow turn to the north. The witness said the airplane appeared to be descending at high speed. The engine sounded as if it was at full throttle, and the wings were level before impact with the water.
October 24, 2013, Big Creek, Calif. Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee 180
At about 1000 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power. The solo private pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot flying the airplane reported to ATC that he had lost oil pressure and the airplane’s engine had quit. He performed a forced landing into trees at about 8200 feet msl in the Sierra National Forest. The airplane’s co-owner subsequently reported the airplane’s engine had recently been rebuilt.
