NTSB Accidents

The mechanic’s improper installation of the oil filter canister base gasket, which resulted in an oil leak and the separation of the connecting rod due to oil starvation.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, the low ceiling weather conditions, and dark night conditions.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach for undetermined reasons.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s improper in-flight emergency planning when he misjudged his available altitude and made a 270° turn away from the airport instead of proceeding directly to it, which resulted in him landing over a mile short of the runway in heavily wooded terrain.

The pilot’s incapacitation, resulting in a loss of aircraft control.

The pilot’s failure to select and maintain an adequate terrain avoidance cruising altitude. Contributing factors were the dark conditions, the rising mountainous terrain and the controller’s failure to issue a terrain-related safety alert.

Aircraft control not possible by the pilot following a premature deployment of a parachute as a parachutist exited the jump airplane during cruise flight.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with full flaps, and subsequent loss of control.