Thursday, August 20, 2026

Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N9650V, accident occurred on July 30, 2026, near Hill Air Force Base (HIF/KHIF), Ogden, Utah

  • Location: Layton, UT 
  • Accident Number: WPR26LA285 
  • Date & Time: July 30, 2026, 23:56 Local 
  • Registration: N9650V 
  • Aircraft: Cessna 172 
  • Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203508/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N9650V

On July?30,?2026, at 2356?mountain daylight time, a Cessna?172M airplane, N9650V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Layton, Utah. The flight instructor was seriously injured, and the private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title?14 Code of Federal Regulations Part?91 instructional flight. 

The flight instructor reported that he and the private pilot were conducting a long-distance night cross-country instructional flight. As they were descending to land near the completion of the flight, the engine sputtered and then lost all power. The flight instructor configured the airplane for best-glide performance. While the flight instructor attempted to restart the engine, the private pilot completed checklist items, radioed air traffic control and declared an emergency. Both pilots reported that on about three or four occasions, the engine restarted and ran rough briefly, then lost power. The flight instructor determined the airplane had sufficient altitude and performance to glide to a runway landing at Hill Air Force Base (HIF), which was directly ahead. He reported that a gust of wind from a canyon hit the airplane from the right, resulting in an unexpected altitude loss. The flight instructor then determined the airplane would no longer reach the planned runway and performed a forced landing in a dark area near a roadway south of the airport. The airplane landed hard, nosed over and came to rest inverted in an intersection, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. 

A mobile phone video, recorded by a resident who lives near the accident location, showed the airplane descending low over a residential neighborhood. In the video, the engine produced a popping sound and was running sporadically. 

A witness who was driving her vehicle on the roadway near the accident intersection reported that she observed something passing above. The witness then heard a loud crashing sound and observed an airplane overturned alongside the intersection. She noted that she did not hear sound coming from the airplane prior to the accident. 

First responders reported seeing fuel pouring from the airplane wreckage, which continued to leak from the left wing for up to two hours after the crash. 

The wreckage was transported to a secure facility and retained for further examination. 

Avid Mark IV, N77FB, fatal accident occurred on August 9, 2026, near Arp, Texas

  • Location: Arp, TX 
  • Accident Number: ERA26FA294 
  • Date & Time: August 9, 2026, 16:55 Local 
  • Registration: N77FB 
  • Aircraft: BACHEM FRITZ M AVID MARK IV 
  • Injuries: 1 Fatal 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203553/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N77FB

On August 9, 2026, at about 1655 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Avid Mark IV, N77FB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Arp, Texas. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to witnesses, the accident airplane and a second airplane had landed in a grass field earlier in the afternoon. The accident airplane subsequently departed the field first and remained in the vicinity while the second airplane departed. Witnesses reported that after takeoff, the accident airplane was flying at a low altitude and appeared to be moving slowly as it maneuvered near the second airplane. The accident airplane then entered a steep left bank, followed by a steep descending turn. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain adjacent to the field.

The airplane came to rest with all major components located at the accident site. The fuselage sustained impact damage, and both wings remained attached to the fuselage. Examination of the airframe confirmed flight control continuity, and no evidence of preimpact flight control anomaly was observed. Both wing fuel tanks remained intact and contained fuel. Examination of the engine confirmed mechanical continuity and compression on all cylinders. No evidence of a preimpact mechanical anomaly was observed that would have precluded normal operation. 

An electronic flight instrument was recovered and retained for further examination.

Cessna 150M, N18YZ, accident occurred on July 25, 2026, near Ferris, Texas

  • Location: Ferris, TX 
  • Accident Number: CEN26LA284 
  • Date & Time: July 25, 2026, 16:30 UTC 
  • Registration: N18YZ 
  • Aircraft: Cessna 150M 
  • Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203576/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N18YZ

On July 25, 2026, about 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N18YZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ferris, Texas. One pilot sustained minor injuries and the other pilot had no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Both pilots reported no abnormalities during the preflight. They added a quart of oil to the engine which was at 3.25 quarts when they checked. They fueled the airplane and taxied to the run-up area where the airplane showed normal indications during the preflight operational checks.

The airplane departed from runway 13 at the Lancaster Regional Airport (LNC), Lancaster, Texas. During the initial climb the right seat pilot at the controls observed a climb rate of about 200 feet per minute and recognized the airplane was not producing sufficient performance to safely continue the flight. About 900 ft msl, the pilots agreed that clearing the power lines and trees ahead of them before initiating a turn was their priority. The engine was producing enough power to maintain airplane altitude but the airplane could not climb. After the airplane cleared the power lines and a residential area, the right seat pilot transferred control of the airplane to the left seat pilot and a turn back to the airport was initiated. As the airplane headed toward the runway, the engine began to run rough and the engine RPM decreased. About 3 miles from the airport the engine lost all power. Without enough altitude to glide to runway 31 an emergency landing was performed which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount structure. 

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aeroprakt A-22LS Foxbat, N22FC, accident occurred on August 17, 2026, at Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC/KSRC), Searcy, Arkansas

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=N22FC

- History of Flight:
On August 17, 2026, at about 1414 local time, an Aeroprakt A-22LS Foxbat, N22FC, registered to Blackhawk Holding Corp, sustained substantial damage when it experienced a wind gust on landing and flipped over (per FAA report) at Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC/KSRC), Searcy, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated at 1323.

At the time of the pilot's departure, weather conditions appeared fine, but as the flight continued, a storm was approaching Searcy.

According to airport video, the airplane appeared to be landing on the runway when it veered off into the left and into the grass, the right wing went up, but the left wing contacted the ground, the airplane rotated around and struck the ground hard. The airplane came to rest upright on the taxiway.

The airport manager stated: "The fact that he got it down and nobody got killed was amazing, I'm thinking he's probably saying Jesus, take the wheel."





At 1414 (the time of landing), the winds were reportedly from 210° at 8 knots, at 1437, the winds were from 250° at 16 knots, gusting 29 knots.

- Weather:

METAR KSRC 171856Z AUTO 21006KT 10SM -RA FEW026 SCT043 BKN050 31/27 A3002 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW-NW RAB42 SLP163 P0000 T03110267 $

METAR KSRC 171914Z AUTO 21008KT 10SM VCTS FEW027 31/27 A3005 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS TSB08RAE01 P0000 $

METAR KSRC 171937Z AUTO 25016G29KT 220V280 10SM TSRA BKN060 24/22 A3006 RMK AO2 PK WND 28030/1927 WSHFT 1917 LTG DSNT S-NW TSB08RAE01B21 P0003 $

Harmon Rocket II, N969H, incident occurred on August 17, 2026, at Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL/KBIL), Billings, Montana

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=N969H

- History of Flight:
On August 17, 2026, at about 1605 local time, a Harmon Rocket II, N969H, registered to 9G Aviation LLC, sustained unknown damage when it ground looped on landing on runway 28R at Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL/KBIL), Billings, Montana. There were no injuries. The flight originated from Phillip Airport (PHP/KPHP), 
Phillip, South Dakota.

- Weather:

METAR KBIL 172153Z COR 19004KT 10SM SCT100 BKN230 30/06 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP138 OCNL LTG DSNT N-NE CB SHRA DSNT N-NE SW T03000061

METAR KBIL 172253Z 24010KT 10SM FEW095 SCT120 BKN200 31/06 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP133 OCNL LTG DSNT NE CB SHRA DSNT N NE S-SW T03060061

Cessna 150G, N2970S, incident occurred on August 17, 2026, at Socorro Municipal Airport (ONM/KONM) Socorro, New Mexico

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=N2970S

- History of Flight:
On August 17, 2026, at about 0935 local time, a Cessna 150G, N2970S, registered to Double Circle LLC, sustained unknown damage when it landed nose gear touching down first damaging front end, propeller and engine at KONM. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Belen, New Mexico (KBRG), at 0854.

- Weather:

METAR KONM 171515Z AUTO 01006KT 10SM SCT120 26/10 A3036 RMK AO2 T02580099

METAR KONM 171535Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM SCT110 27/10 A3035 RMK AO2 T02670096

Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II, N2202W, incident occurred on August 17, 2026, at Stephenville Clark Regional Airport (SEP/KSEP), Stephenville, Texas

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=N2202W

- History of Flight:
On August 17, 2026, at about 0908 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II, N2202W, sustained unknown damage when it veered off runway 14 during a landing attempt at Stephenville Clark Regional Airport (SEP/KSEP), Stephenville, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW/KFTW), 
Fort Worth, Texas, at 0824.

- Weather:

METAR KSEP 171355Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM CLR 28/18 A3017 RMK AO2 T02810179

METAR KSEP 171415Z AUTO 24010KT 10SM CLR 29/18 A3017 RMK AO2 T02900176