Van’s RV-4, N98GB, fatal accident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Sutter County Airport (O52), Yuba City, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N98GB

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at 0659 local time, a privately-registered Van’s RV-4, N98GB, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Sutter County Airport (O52), Yuba City, California. The private pilot was fatally injured.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane was first seen departing runway 17 when it climbed to 400 ft (and 78 knots groundspeed) when it entered a right 180 turn back to the airport. During the turn, the airplane decelerated to about 62 knots groundspeed, but at the same time, the descent rate was notably increasing, at one point reaching 1600 feet per minute (fpm). The airplane appears to have touched down in the grass between the runway and taxiway at about 80 knots GS before it overrun the surface into a fence.

Figure 1: Departure and top of climb

Figure 2: Return back to airport before overrun

The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances and went through an airport fence."

The pilot, aged 68, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 2/3/2026. The pilot also held a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate for the accident aircraft, which was issued on April 21, 1994.

The accident aircraft, serial number 1470, was manufactured in 1994. It was a kit supplied, two-place, all-metal, low-wing, single-engine, cantilever monoplane with tailwheel type landing gear. It was powered by a Lycoming 0-320 engine that drove a two bladed propeller.

The airplane came to rest upright on airport property and there was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe. The main landing gear and tailwheel remained attached to the bottom fuselage. The leading outer edges of both wings sustained impact damage. The vertical stabilizer was sheared off. The propeller hub and both propeller blade tips were impact damaged. It is unknown whether the canopy was removed by first responders or impact. The flaps appeared to be fully deployed. A portion of the right wing tip and vertical tail were located in the fence. The impact appears consistent with the airplane overunning the runway/airport surface and colliding with the fence head-on.

Figure 3: Airplane wreckage, note damage to both wing leading outer edges, propeller, vertical tail, canopy section, and deployed flaps.

Figure 4: Fence damage, note aircraft debris

Sutter County Airport is a non-towered public airport located 1 mile south of Yuba City, California. The airport field elevation is 59.6 ft. The airport features a single asphalt runway 17/35 that is 3045 x 75 ft.

A review of the environment surrounding the airport showed that there is a highway, river, and two open fields in the surrounding path after departure from runway 17.

Figure 5: Environment surrounding airport, note open fields, highway, and lake

- Weather:

The nearest weather observation facility, KBAB, reported the following conditions at 0655: Winds 110 at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 21°C, dewpoint 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury. Given an elevation of 112.9 (at KBAB), the calculated density altitude was 951 ft.

METAR KBAB 161355Z AUTO 11006KT 10SM CLR 21/09 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP100 T02120088 $ <<<<<

METAR KBAB 161455Z AUTO 19009KT 10SM CLR 23/08 A2983 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S SLP103 T02300075 52009 $

Dakota Cub AC-18, N84AJ, fatal accident occurred on July 16, 2026, near Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM/KPYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N84AJ

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 0738 local time, a Dakota Cub AC-18, N84AJ, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM/KPYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from Katama Airpark (1B2), Edgartown, Massachusetts, at 0701.

The pilot bought the airplane three weeks before the accident.

On the day of the accident, the pilot departed KPYM at 0632 on a short flight to Katama. The airplane stopped at the airpark for about 5 minutes before departing back to Plymouth.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane entered a climb to the north to an inflight cruising altitude of 1,300 ft. At about 0720, the airplane started a series of gradual descents from cruise. At 0733, the airplane was descending through 550 ft when it climbed to 925 ft. About 8 seconds after reaching that altitude, the airplane began a 1000 feet per minute (fpm) descent over the Curlew Pond. At 0738:12, the airplane was at ~1.20 miles from runway 33 at KPYM descending through 350 ft, 52 knots, and -1500 fpm when it entered a left turn. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 0738:24, the airplane was at 200 ft, 59 knots, -700 fpm.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange track of both flights ran through Flysto

Figure 2: Groundspeed values toward end of track

Figure 3: Last data point before crash, note runway 33 threshold

The airplane impacted the surface of the water about 70 ft from the shore and came to rest inverted. The pilot was trapped inside for about 20 minutes and later died from the injuries sustained.

One witness who was at the pond stated: "We heard the plane stall. We thought we'd hear the engine re-start, but we didn't. That's when we knew that somebody was in trouble. We expected to see it in the trees over there. I'm thinking he must have put down to try to at least keep it in the pond as having his best chance of coming out of it." Another witness heard the "engine cut out, sputter and cut out again and then a splash."

Some witnesses added that the airplane leaked fuel to the pond.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances into curlew pond."

The pilot, aged 81, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and sea ratings. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 6/27/2026.

The accident aircraft, serial number AC-18-001, was manufactured in 2016. It was a high-wing, two-seat, conventional landing gear single engine aircraft in tractor configuration. The airplane was powered by a 190 HP Lycoming IO-360 engine that drove a two-bladed composite propeller. The airplane was equipped with vortex generators. According to manufacturer's website, the stall speed (at 2,050 lbs) is 49 mph (42 knots).

According to a sale listing:

"2016 Experimental Dakota widebody Super Cub. IO-360 engine 190 HP with 374.2 TSO Whirl wind prop with TSN 374.2. Garmin G3X with Garmin autopilot. Garmin GTX200 Com. ADSB out. Garmin GTX23 transponder. VG's. 31" tires. T3 tail wheel suspension. Alaska bush tail wheel. 406 ELT. Omega suspension system. extended gear. Atlee Dodge long steps. Very nice Aircraft."

Figure: Cockpit from aircraft com sale listing

The airplane came to rest in the water and there was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe. The landing gear and tailwheel remained attached to the bottom of the fuselage. Little to no impact damage was noted on the airframe. The vertical stabilizer sustained some impact damage. The crash sequence appears consistent with the airplane impacting the surface of the water with little to no forward airspeed and flipping over.

Figure: Witnesses trying to flip the airplane to help pilot, photo was taken before airplane was pulled to the shore.

- Weather:

The 0752 METAR indicated winds 250 at 7 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 22 °C, dewpoint 15 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of mercury.

METAR KPYM 161052Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM CLR 19/14 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP114 T01940144 $

METAR KPYM 161152Z AUTO 25007KT 10SM CLR 22/15 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP113 T02220150 10222 20156 50004

Bell 206B JetRanger II, N297CA, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, near St. Joseph, Illinois

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N297CA

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1902 local time, a Bell 206B JetRanger II, N297CA, registered to the Helicopter Service of Illinois LLC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Joseph, Illinois. The pilot suffered serious injuries. The helicopter was being operated on a local aerial application flight.

The FAA reported that the helicopter struck a power line and came to rest in a ditch.

TAG Titanium Explorer, N498TE, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Cashmere-Dryden Airport (8S2), Cashmere, Washington

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N498TE

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1021 local time, a Titanium Explorer, N498TE, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a hangar at Cashmere-Dryden Airport (8S2), Cashmere, Washington. The pilot suffered serious injuries.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft on take off, began to oscillate and veered off runway hitting the door of a hangar." 

Local police reported that the gyro was "was traveling on the runway before it veered off to one side and crashed into a hangar within. The aircraft reportedly never left the ground prior to its impact with the structure."

The pilot, aged 69, held an airline transport pilot certificate with type ratings in the Boeing 727, Boeing 757 and Boeing 767. His FAA BasicMed was dated 8/13/2025.

Runway 7/25 is asphalt in fair condition and 1800 x 50 ft.

- Weather:

METAR KELN 161653Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM FEW120 26/12 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP105 T02610122

METAR KELN 161753Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN110 28/11 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP100 T02830106 10283 20172 56012

Piper PA-24-260 Comanche, N8606P, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, near Baraboo/Wisconsin Dells Regional Airport (DLL/KDLL), Baraboo, Wisconsin

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N8606P

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1506 local time, a Piper PA-24-260 Comanche, N8606P, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain short of Baraboo/Wisconsin Dells Regional Airport (DLL/KDLL), Baraboo, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Mitchell Municipal Airport (MHE/KMHE), Mitchell, South Dakota, at 1232.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at 8,600 ft when it entered a quick descent for the airport. The data shows the airplane descending over the airport through 1,400 ft before it entered a tight base-to-final turn for runway 19, the airplane collided with terrain short of the runway.

- Weather:

At 1455, the winds were from 060 at 5 knots, 1.75 visibility, haze, an overcast ceiling at 2,500ft AGL, temperature 30 °C, dewpoint 21 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury.

At 1520, the winds were from 050 at 3 knots, 1.75 visibility, haze, an overcast ceiling at 2,500ft AGL, temperature 30 °C, dewpoint 21 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of mercury.

METAR KDLL 161955Z AUTO 06005KT 1 3/4SM HZ OVC025 30/21 A3008 RMK AO2 T02970208

METAR KDLL 162020Z AUTO 05003KT 1 3/4SM HZ OVC025 30/21 A3007 RMK AO2 T03030212

Mooney M20E Chaparral, N9398V, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Centennial Airport (APA/KAPA), Denver, Colorado

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9398V

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1246 local time, a privately-registered Mooney M20E Chaparral, N9398V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Centennial Airport (APA/KAPA), Denver, Colorado. There were two occupants onboard, 1 suffered minor injuries. The flight originated from Fort Morgan Municipal Airport (FMM/KFMM), Fort Morgan, Colorado, at 1203.

ADS-B data shows the airplane on final approach to runway 28. Winds at the time were from 100° at 7 knots. Post-accident photos showed visible fuselage wrinkles and damage to the left wing.

- Weather:

METAR KAPA 161753Z 11004KT 10SM FEW140 FEW250 28/09 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP132 T02780089 10278 20183 58008 $

METAR KAPA 161853Z 10007KT 10SM SCT140 SCT250 32/09 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP119 T03170089 $

Mooney M20R Ovation 3 GX, N987JC, incident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Bermuda Dunes Airport (UDD/KUDD), Palm Springs, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N987JC

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1222 local time, a Mooney M20R Ovation 3 GX, N987JC, registered to Decoboard Enterprises Inc, sustained unknown damage when it landed gearup on runway 10 at the Bermuda Dunes Airport (UDD/KUDD), Palm Springs, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM/KSDM), San Diego, California, at 1145.

- Weather:

METAR KTRM 161852Z AUTO 11014G23KT 10SM CLR 39/19 A2975 RMK AO2 SLP079 T03940189

METAR KTRM 161952Z AUTO 14016G24KT 9SM CLR 38/20 A2975 RMK AO2 PK WND 14027/1938 SLP076 T03830200