Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N7653F, fatal accident occurred on September 5, 2026, near Ludlow, 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=N7653F

- History of Flight:
On September 5, 2026, at about 2103 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N7653F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ludlow, Massachusetts, The two occupants onboard were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Hyldburg Aviation Inc, doing business as Alpha One Flight Services, both out of Plymouth, MA. The night-time personal flight originated from Northampton Airport (7B2), Northampton, Massachusetts, and was destined to Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM/KPYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The airplane was based out of KPYM and was frequently conducting local training flights around that airport. On September 5, 2026, at 1104, the pilot rented the airplane and departed KPYM with an intended destination of 7B2. The airplane landed there at 1217. The accident occurred during the return trip.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 2054, the airplane appears to have departed runway 14 at 7B2 and proceeded on magnetic heading of ~120 degrees and to an inflight cruising altitude of 5,000 ft. At 2102:35, the airplane turned right towards to a magnetic heading of ~180 degrees. At 2102:49, the airplane turned left and reached a top of climb altitude (TOC) of 5,300 ft. The airplane continued to turn left, while maintaining that altitude, and the groundspeed was noted to go down from 103 knots to 77 knots when the airplane initiated a secondary climb to 5,600 ft during the turn. At 2103:35, the airplane stopped the climb and entered a descending right hand turn, which devolved into a spiral. At 2103:56, the last ADS-B data point was recorded in the general vicinity of the accident site. The airplane was seen at 3,800 ft, 171 knots groundspeed, with an average rate of -9000 feet per minute (fpm).

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange track ran through Flysto

Figure 2: Initial TOC

Figure 3: Rapid climb during left turn before the second TOC

Figure 4: Rapid spiral after second and final TOC

Figure 5: End of track

Figure 6: Raw ADS-B exchange overview

- Pilot Information:
None.

- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 28-7790205, was manufactured in 1976. It was a fixed tricycle gear, 4-seat, low-wing airplane powered by a Lycoming O&VO-360 SER engine.

According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH):

The airplane is approved for the following operations when equipped in accordance with FAR 91 or FAR 135.

(a) Day V.F.R.

(b) Night V.F.R.

(c) Day I.F.R.

(d) Night I.F.R.

(e) Non Icing

According to the POH, the Never Exceed Speed (Vne) is 171 MPH (148 KTS) CAS.

- Wreckage and Impact:
The airplane impacted wooded terrain and was destroyed by impact forces before coming to rest in a body of water. There was no post crash fire. There was a small debris field leading to the main wreckage. The wreckage appears consistent with a high speed, nose down impact.

- Weather:
(1) Brief:

At 2055, the nearest airport was reporting winds 090 at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloud layer at 3,800ft AGL, an overcast ceiling 10,000ft AGL, temperature 19 °C, dewpoint 16 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of mercury.

(2) METARs:

METAR KCEF 060055Z AUTO 09003KT 10SM BKN038 OVC100 19/16 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP114 T01870163

METAR KCEF 060154Z AUTO 07004KT 10SM FEW008 SCT027 BKN041 OVC050 18/16 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP118

Other nearby airports:

METAR KORH 060054Z 09005KT 8SM -RA FEW008 OVC037 16/15 A2993 RMK AO2 RAE06B48 SLP135 P0000 T01560150 $

METAR KORH 060154Z AUTO 00000KT 6SM RA BR BKN045 OVC060 15/14 A2993 RMK AO2 RAE05B49 SLP134 P0000 T01500139 $

METAR KBAF 060053Z 02003KT 10SM FEW037 BKN060 OVC095 19/16 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP122 T01940161

METAR KBAF 060153Z 11007KT 10SM BKN017 BKN032 OVC060 19/16 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP124 T01940161

(3) Area Forecast Discussion:

Pitts Model 12, N491X, accident occurred on September 6, 2026, near Frontier Airpark (WN53), Lake Stevens, 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=N491X

- History of Flight:
On September 6, 2026, at about 1805 local time, a privately-registered Pitts Model 12, N491X, sustained substantial damage when it was involved near Frontier Airpark (WN53), Lake Stevens, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured. The local personal flight originated from the airpark at an unspecified time.

Videos shared online show that the airplane was conducting aerobatic maneuvers in the area around the airpark. The airplane appeared to recover from a maneuver and was at level altitude when the left wing suddenly dropped and the airplane entered a low altitude stall/spin and collided with terrain.

Figure 1

The airplane was powered by a Vedeneyev M14P 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, rated at 365 HP and drove a three-bladed propeller.

The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial impact damage. There was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe, and there was no debris field leading to the main wreckage. The pilot was able to self extract.

The weather at the nearest airport showed clear skies and visibility, winds from 300 at 8 knots, temperature 22 °C, dewpoint 9 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury.

- Weather:

METAR KAWO 070056Z AUTO 30008KT 10SM CLR 22/09 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP155 T02170094 $

METAR KAWO 070156Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM CLR 21/11 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02060106 $

Embraer EMB-545 Legacy 450, N426FX, incident occurred on September 4, 2026, at Opa locka Executive Airport (OPF/KOPF), Miami, Florida

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=N426FX

- History of Flight:
On September 6, 2026, at about 1347 local time, an Embraer EMB-545 Legacy 450, N426FX, registered to and being operated by Flexjet, sustained unknown damage following a runway excursion during a landing attempt on runway 09L at Opa locka Executive Airport (OPF/KOPF), Miami, Florida. There were no injuries. The flight originated from Marsh Harbour-Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH/MYAM), Bahamas.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the airplane departed the left side of runway 09L going about 97 knots groundspeed. The thrust reversers were deployed.

Figure 1

Figure 2

At 1315, the winds were from 110° at 10 knots, gusting 15 knots. 

At 1335, the winds were from 200° at 11 knots, gusting 18 knots. 

At 1343, the winds were from 120° at 12 knots, gusting 19 knots. 

At 1356, the winds were from 310° at 14 knots, gusting 18 knots.

The 1335 METAR indicated heavy rain with low visibility and lightning. The 1343 METAR indicated heavy rain and thunderstorms with low visibility and lightning.

- Weather:

METAR KOPF 041715Z 11010G15KT 10SM VCTS SCT037 BKN048 31/25 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N AND S AND SW RAB00E12 T03110250 PNO $

METAR KOPF 041735Z 20011G18KT 2SM +RA FEW017 BKN034 OVC060 28/26 A3002 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N AND SW RAB00E12B29 T02830256 PNO $

METAR KOPF 041743Z 12012G19KT 2SM +TSRA BR BKN017 BKN031 OVC060 27/25 A3003 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW-N RAB00E12B29 TSB42 T02720250 PNO $

METAR KOPF 041756Z 31014G18KT 1/4SM +TSRA BKN015 OVC031 26/23 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S-W T02560228 PNO $

Grumman American AA-5 Traveler, N6510L, fatal accident occurred on September 5, 2026, near Sierra Sky Park Airport (E79), Fresno, 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=N6510L

- History of Flight:
On September 3, 2026, at about 1330 local time, a Grumman American AA-5 Traveler, N6510L, registered to Purpose Flight Inc, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near  Sierra Sky Park Airport (E79), Fresno, California. The commercial pilot and two passengers were killed, and one passenger was seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time.

The accident reportedly occurred on takeoff from runway 30 when the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot tried to land the airplane and, but ended up impacting terrain near the departure end. The pilot and her two young kids were killed, and her husband was seriously injured.

There was no ADS-B data for the accident flight. 

- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 41, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and multiengine land ratings. She also held an instrument rating and a flight instructor certificate. Her first class FAA medical was issued on May 2026.

- Airplane Information:
To be written later.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted terrain at the edge of the San Joaquin River and a post crash fire ensued.

- Airport Information:
Sierra Sky Park Airport is a non-towered public airport located 7 miles northwest of Fresno, California. The airport field elevation was 321 ft. The airport features a single asphalt runway 12/30 that is 2473 x 50 ft.

- Weather:
(1) METARs:

METAR KFCH 052015Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/09 A2994 RMK A01

METAR KFCH 052035Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/09 A2994 RMK A01 <<<

METAR KFCH 052055Z AUTO 22007KT 9SM CLR 29/09 A2994 RMK A01

The calculated density altitude was 2040 ft.

Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N16JW, accident occurred on September 4, 2026, at San Antonio International Airport (SAT/KSAT), San Antonio, 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=N16JW

- History of Flight:
On September 4, 2026, at about 0718 local time, a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N16JW, registered to Galaxy Drivers LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at San Antonio International Airport (SAT/KSAT), San Antonio, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time.

ADS-B data suggests the airplane accelerated to about 68 knots before it began a rejected takeoff from runway 13L. The airplane departed the runway surface and the nose gear collapsed. Runway 13L/31R is 5519 x 100 ft.

- Weather:

METAR KSAT 041151Z 15009KT 10SM BKN015 BKN160 OVC250 27/24 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP115 T02670239 10278 20267 53006

METAR KSAT 041251Z 13008KT 10SM BKN015 BKN033 BKN220 27/24 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP121 SHRA DSNT NE MOVG SW T02670239

Boeing 767-33A(ER)(BDSF), N1997A, fatal accident occurred on September 6, 2026, at Miami International Airport (MIA/KMIA), Miami, Florida

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=N1997A

- History of Flight:
On September 6, 2026, at about 1353 local time, a Boeing 767-33A(ER)(BDSF), N1997A, was substantially damaged when it suffered a runway overrun after landing on runway 30 at Miami International Airport (MIA/KMIA), Miami, Florida. The jet came to rest nose down in the unpaved surface and it appears one of the engines caught fire. No word on the crew status so far. The cargo flight originated from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU/TJSJ), San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This post will be updated as soon as updates come through.

- Pilot Information:
To be done

- Airplane Information:
To be done

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
To be done

- Airport Information:
Miami International Airport is a controlled public airport located 8 miles northwest of Miami, Florida. The airport field elevation is 9.3 ft. The airport features four runways, runway 9/27 (13016 x 150 ft) runway 8R/26L (10506 x 200 ft) runway 12/30 (9360 x 150 ft) runway 8L/26R (8600 x 150 ft).

- Weather:
(1) Brief:

The 1353 observation at KMIA reported winds 190 at 17 knots, gusting 26 knots, 10 miles visibility, a scattered Cumulonimbus (SCT) at 2,000ft AGL, a broken cloud layer at 4,800ft AGL, 15,000ft AGL, 25,000ft AGL, temperature 30 °C, dewpoint 22 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury. The peak wind was reported from 180 at 26 knots at 1352, with the wind shift happening at 1337. There was a thunderstorm that was reported 12 minutes past the hour with lightning from all directions.

(2) METARs:

METAR KMIA 061753Z 19017G26KT 10SM TS SCT020CB BKN048 BKN150 BKN250 30/22 A2994 RMK AO2 PK WND 18026/1752 WSHFT 1737 SLP137 TSB12 OCNL LTGICCG E-S TS E-S MOV E CB DSNT NW T03000222 10333 20261 55003 $

METAR KMIA 061813Z 20012G17KT 10SM TS SCT025CB BKN048 BKN100 BKN250 30/23 A2992 RMK AO2 OCNL LTGICCG NE-SE TS NE-SE MOV E T03000228 $

(3) Area Forecast Discussion:

Lancair Evolution, N305PV, fatal accident occurred on September 3, 2026, near Tampa Executive Airport (VDF/KVDF), Tampa, Florida

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=N305PV

- History of Flight:
On September 3, 2026, at about 0815 local time, a Lancair Evolution, N305PV, registered to Ekpheugo LLC out of Tampa, FL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Tampa Executive Airport (VDF/KVDF), Tampa, Florida. The commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The cross-country personal flight originated from VDF and was destined to Elizabeth City Airport (ECG/KECG), Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

The rest of the writing will be completed later.

- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 59, held a commercial pilot certificate (last issued/updated on 10/15/2016) with an airplane single engine land and sea ratings. He also held an instrument rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 4/25/2025.

- Airplane Information:
Will be written later. 

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Will be written later. 

- Airport Information:
Will be written later. 

- Weather:
(1) Brief:

At 0815, the winds were from 050 at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, an overcast ceiling at 500ft AGL, temperature 26 °C, dewpoint 26 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury.

(2) METARs:

METAR KVDF 031155Z AUTO 06003KT 10SM OVC004 26/26 A2995 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NW CIG 003V005 70003 T02560256 10256 20251 53017 $

METAR KVDF 031215Z AUTO 05004KT 10SM OVC005 26/26 A2996 RMK AO2 T02590259 $ <<<<

METAR KVDF 031235Z AUTO 06006KT 10SM OVC005 26/26 A2997 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NW AND E AND S T02610261 $

(3) Area Forecast Discussion: