Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C, N317HM, accident occurred on April 13, 2026, near Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP/KCRP), Corpus Christi, Texas

• Location: Corpus Christi, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA164 
• Date & Time: April 13, 2026, 19:19 Local 
• Registration: N317HM 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-28-180 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202818/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N317HM

On April 13, 2026, about 19:19 central daylight time, a Piper Cherokee PA-28-180 airplane, N317HM was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Corpus Christi, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight.

ADS-B data revealed that the airplane departed Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Corpus Christi, Texas, about 1850. According to first responders, the flight instructor and student pilot said that they were practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings at CRP when they had an engine issue on short final for runway 13. The flight instructor said that he took over flying the airplane when he realized they were having an engine issue. The airplane struck power lines and impacted a service road about .5 nm northwest of runway 13. A postimpact fire ensued.

According to the owner of the flight school, the student pilot was transitioning from flying a Cessna 172 to a Piper Cherokee. The flight school owner also said that according to fuel records, they filled the airplane with 14 gallons of fuel before the flight for a total of 36 gallons. The airplane had a 100-hour inspection on April 1, 2026, and accumulated about 23 flight hours since the inspection. In the previous three months, the right magneto and right magneto p-lead were replaced as well as the starter ring gear.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Turbulence encounter: Airbus A321-231, N670NK, accident occurred on September 30, 2025, near Las Vegas, Nevada

• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada 
• Accident Number: DCA25LA341 
• Date & Time: September 30, 2025, 16:17 Local 
• Registration: N670NK 
• Aircraft: Airbus A321 
• Aircraft Damage: None 
• Defining Event: Turbulence encounter 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 154 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201780/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201780

Spirit Airlines flight 2045 encountered turbulence during descent into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada, causing injury to two flight attendants (FAs). The encounter occurred while the FAs were preparing the cabin for landing.

According to the flight crew, while flying the CHOWW4 arrival into LAS, they observed cumulous clouds along their flight path but did not observe any returns on the weather radar, nor on their electronic flight bag (EFB) weather application. In addition, there were no pilot reports (PIREPS) for the area. Due to the cumulous clouds in the distance, they decided it would be safer to seat the flight attendants and passengers early.

At approximately 22,000 feet, the flight crew turned ON the fasten seat belt sign and the captain communicated to the lead FA they might encounter turbulence. The lead FA informed the flight crew that they had already conducted passenger briefings and were seated. While descending through 17,000 feet, the airplane penetrated a cloud and encountered approximately 3 seconds of turbulence.

The flight crew reported the turbulence to air traffic control and requested to slow the airplane. At that time, the flight crew was informed that a FA in the aft cabin was injured. The flight crew coordinated with airport operations to have emergency medical personnel meet the flight at the gate. The flight continued to LAS and landed without further incident.

According to the FAs, they had completed trash pickup and the injured FA elected to use the lavatory prior to initial descent. While in the aft lavatory, the FA heard an announcement from the flight crew but did not hear the announcement clearly. While standing in the lavatory, the airplane encountered turbulence and the FA fell on the floor, injured her leg, and was unable to stand. The injured FA was assisted to their jumpseat and evaluated by an onboard medical professional. The medical professional sat on the floor in the galley near the injured FA during landing.

After arriving at the gate, the injured FA was transported to the hospital and was diagnosed with a fractured ankle bone. One additional FA fell during the event and was transported to the hospital; they were released with minor injuries. No other injuries were reported and there was no damage to the airplane.

- Probable Cause: The airplane’s encounter with turbulence during descent resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant who was standing at the time of the encounter.

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N7632H, accident occurred on March 19, 2026, near West Linn, Oregon

• Location: West Linn, OR 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA133 
• Date & Time: March 18, 2026, 17:00 Local 
• Registration: N7632H 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-12 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202683/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N7632H

On March 18, 2026, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7632H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Linn, Oregon. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The flight departed Portland Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon, about 1500, en route to an off-airport landing area on Goat Island, located in the Willamette River. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from an unimproved surface on Goat Island, the airplane accelerated normally. As the airplane reached rotation speed and became light on the landing gear, it made a sudden, sharp left turn. The airplane departed the takeoff area, traveled over the shoreline, and came to rest in the Willamette River, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear had separated. The forward attach point exhibited longitudinal tears, and the aft attach point displayed cracking and buckling of the rear gear leg.

The airplane was recovered to a secure location. The left main landing gear leg was retained for further examination.

Cirrus SR20 G6, N269JJ, incident occurred on April 20, 2026, at North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field (GYI/KGYI), Sherman, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N269JJ

- History of Flight:
On April 20, 2026, at about 1951 local time, a Cirrus SR20 G6, N269JJ, sustained unknown damage following a hard landing at the North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field (GYI/KGYI), Sherman, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Jones Field Airport (F00), Bonham, Texas, at 1930.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft landed hard, veered off runway, gear collapsed and ended up in a ditch." ADS-B shows the airplane on final approach to runway 18L. Winds were from 180° at 7 knots.

- Weather:

METAR KGYI 210035Z AUTO 18007KT 6SM HZ CLR 18/08 A3020 RMK AO2 T01810080 $

METAR KGYI 210055Z AUTO 17005KT 5SM HZ CLR 17/08 A3020 RMK AO2 T01710078 $

METAR KGYI 210115Z AUTO 15005KT 5SM HZ CLR 17/07 A3019 RMK AO2 T01740066 $

Piper PA-28-181 Archer TX, N860PU, incident occurred on April 20, 2026, at Purdue University Airport (LAF/KLAF), Lafayette, Indiana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N860PU

- History of Flight:
On April 20, 2026, at about 1010 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer TX, N860PU, registered to Trustees of Purdue University, sustained unknown, but apparent minor damage when it veered off one of the runways into grass, striking a taxiway light at Purdue University Airport (LAF/KLAF), Lafayette, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported the time of the event as 1010, the airplane conducted a flight at 0939 from Delaware County Airport (MIE/KMIE), Muncie, Indiana, and landed at KLAF on the day of the incident at the exact reported time. The airplane was landing on runway 23. Winds were from 140° at 4 knots. The airplane seemingly continued operations at 1357.

- Weather:

METAR KLAF 201354Z 14004KT 10SM CLR 08/M01 A3037 RMK AO2 SLP285 T00781006

METAR KLAF 201454Z 09005KT 10SM CLR 08/M05 A3038 RMK AO2 SLP288 T00831050 51010

Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N5256H, incident occurred on April 20, 2026, near Simpsonville, Kentucky

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5256H

- History of Flight:
On April 20, 2026, at about 1612 local time, a privately-registered Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N5256H, sustained unknown, but apparent no damage following a forced landing to open field terrain near Simpsonville, Kentucky. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Blue Grass Airport (LEX/KLEX), Lexington, Kentucky, at 1538.

ADS-B data shows that the airplane departed and climbed to 4,200 ft before initiating a descent and a two 360 loops to lose altitude before landing in the field.

Figure 1: ADS-B data, note 1905 timeline is from a previous flight.

Icon A5, N933BA, incident occurred on April 19, 2026, at Minneapolis-Flying Cloud Airport (FCM/KFCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N933BA

- History of Flight:
On April 19, 2026, at about 1622 local time, an Icon A5, N933BA, registered to International Air Services Inc Trustee, sustained unknown damage when it landed gearup on runway 28L at the Flying Cloud Airport (FCM/KFCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated at 1618.

At 1553, the winds were from 320° at 13 knots, gusting 17 knots.

Figure 1: ADS-B data

- Weather:

METAR KFCM 192053Z 32013G17KT 10SM CLR 07/M11 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP241 T00671106 56007

METAR KFCM 192140Z 32010G20KT 10SM FEW070 07/M09 A3022 RMK AO2 T00721094