Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N2882W, fatal accident occurred on March 22, 2026, near Olympic Valley, California

Photo courtesy of the Juan Browne "blancolirio" channel.

• Location: Olympic Valley, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26FA130 
• Date & Time: March 22, 2026, 17:16 Local 
• Registration: N2882W 
• Aircraft: Beech A36 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202675/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2882W

On March 22, 2026, at 1716 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N2882W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Olympic Valley, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.

According to the ADS-B data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), Monterey, California, at 1411 and was destined for the Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK), Truckee, California. Recorded communication indicated that when the airplane was about 12 miles southwest of the accident site, the pilot contacted the TRK air traffic control tower local controller (LC) that he was inbound for landing. The pilot subsequently reported a turbocharger problem, and he didn’t think he would make it to the airport. Recorded ADS-B data ended at an altitude of about 7,382 ft, about 13 miles southwest of TRK and no further radio transmissions were heard from the pilot.

An Apple iPhone crash detection alert was received by local law enforcement in the accident area. The accident site was subsequently located by a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, in the Granite Chief Wilderness area along the shoreline of a lake about 1-1/2 miles northeast of the last recorded ADS-B data point.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude partially submerged near the shore in a subalpine lake in an area known as the Five Lakes at an altitude of 7,500 ft mean sea level (msl) on a magnetic heading of 225°. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was the top of a pine tree about 150 ft southwest of the main wreckage. About 75 ft from the FIPC was the right wing, which had struck a tree near the base and separated from the airplane. There was a postcrash fire centralized at the right wing and tree. The engine, including the propeller assembly, separated from the airplane and was mostly submerged in the lake. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair, N2469H, accident occurred on March 21, 2026, at Salty Approach Airport (FL90), Fort Myers, Florida

• Location: Fort Myers, FL 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA153 
• Date & Time: March 21, 2026, 09:05 Local 
• Registration: N2469H 
• Aircraft: TEXTRON AVIATION INC T206H 
• Injuries: 5 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202715/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2469H

On March 21, 2026, about 0905 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T206H, N2469H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Myers, Florida. The pilot and four passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot/owner reported that he purchased the airplane new in November 2025. He returned the airplane to the manufacturer’s factory for inspection and corrective action to the standby battery system, air data/airspeed system, engine monitoring components, and one engine cylinder was replaced due to low compression readings. Following the inspection, repair, and test flights, the airplane was returned to service and the pilot on March 11, 2026.

The pilot operated the airplane uneventfully during the days before the accident, including multiple takeoffs and landings, from both paved and soft-field runways. During the accident takeoff, the airplane was departing from Salty Approach Airport (FL90), Fort Myers, Florida. The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff technique on runway 10, a 1,800-ft-long, 100-ftwide, turf runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane remained on the runway longer than expected, and did not achieve a normal liftoff profile within the anticipated distance. Forward visibility during the takeoff roll was limited, consistent with a soft-field takeoff attitude, and the pilot did not recall all of the instrument indications during the takeoff. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, the pilot attempted to lift off, the airplane became airborne and drifted laterally, impacting terrain and obstacles off the runway environment.

Review of a witness video showed that for most of the takeoff roll, the airplane’s empennage dragged along the surface of the turf runway. The airplane appeared to become airborne, veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and struck trees near the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the right horizontal stabilizer. 

Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N65614, accident occurred on March 20, 2026, at Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO/KDTO), Denton, Texas

• Location: Denton, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA143 
• Date & Time: March 20, 2026, 14:15 Local 
• Registration: N65614 
• Aircraft: Cessna 172P 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202679/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N65614

On March 20, 2026, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N65614, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated sensor operator sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.

The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, he could “feel and hear” a partial loss of engine power and observed a drop in engine RPM. He attempted to restore full engine power by moving the mixture lever full forward and applying carburetor heat. However, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot advised the Air Traffic tower controller, "Pipeline 614 lost our engine." The sensor operator called out possible landing areas, noting "a field to the right," but the pilot stated that he determined landing straight ahead on the remaining runway was the safest option, with about half of the runway remaining.

The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, began a forward slip, lowered the flaps, and began to fly gentle S-turns. He then realized he would not have enough room to land on the remaining runway, moved the throttle lever to full forward, pitched the airplane up to climb, and retracted the flaps in an attempt to clear the trees. He stated that he may have felt a “small jolt” of power from the engine as he pitched up.

The airplane descended through the trees and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated and consumed by a post-impact fire. The right horizontal stabilizer was separated, and the fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged.

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

Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350, N310JE, and Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350, N356VJ, ground collision occurred on April 14, 2026, at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD/KIAD), Chantilly, Virginia

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=N310JE

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N356VJ

- History of Flight:
On April 14, 2026, at about 1006 local time, a Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350, N310JE, registered to TVPX Aircraft Solutions Inc and being operated by Vista America, sustained unknown damage when it was involved in a ground collision with a VistaJet Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350, N356VJ, at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD/KIAD), Chantilly, Virginia. There were no injuries. N310JE was being operated on a Part 135 flight that originated from Indianapolis International Airport (IND/KIND), Indianapolis, Indiana, at 0825 LT.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft taxiing to parking and the right winglet struck the right leading edge of parked and unoccupied N356VJ."

According to ADS-B data, N356VJ arrived at the parking space at about 0826 LT. N310JE arrived at the same parking area at 1006 LT (see figures).

Figure 1: N310JE Data

Figure 2: N356VJ Data

- Weather:

METAR KIAD 141352Z 20006KT 10SM BKN095 BKN120 23/13 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP180 T02330128

METAR KIAD 141452Z 21009G14KT 10SM BKN100 BKN250 27/11 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02720111 58006

BRM Aero Bristell S-LSA, N922BL, incident occurred on April 14, 2026, at Ocala International Airport (OCF/KOCF), Ocala, Florida

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=N922BL

- History of Flight:
On April 14, 2026, at about 1908 local time, a privately-registered BRM Aero Bristell S-LSA, N922BL, sustained when it veered off runway 18 into the grass for unknown reasons at Ocala International Airport (OCF/KOCF), Ocala, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from the airport at 1843 LT.

- Weather:

METAR KOCF 142251Z 13004KT 10SM OVC070 29/16 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP205 T02890156

METAR KOCF 142351Z AUTO 10009KT 10SM BKN065 26/16 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP205 T02610161 10300 20261 55003

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, N74GC, incident occurred on April 14, 2026, at Page Municipal Airport (PGA/KPGA), Page, Arizona

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=N74GC

- History of Flight:
On April 14, 2026, at about 1440 local time, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, N74GC, registered to Diamond Bar LLC and being operated by Grand Canyon Airlines as flight 74, sustained minor damage following a runway excursion at Page Municipal Airport (PGA/KPGA), Page, Arizona. The pilot and sixteen passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, which originated from KPGA at 1412 LT.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft landed, veered off runway and scraped the right wing."

At 1353, the winds were from 250° at 12 knots, gusting 21 knots. At 1453, the winds were from 290° at 10 knots, gusting 20 knots.

- Weather:

METAR KPGA 142053Z AUTO 25012G21KT 10SM BKN075 OVC090 16/M02 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP120 T01611017 58006

METAR KPGA 142153Z AUTO 29010G20KT 260V330 10SM OVC080 16/M04 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP119 T01611039

Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, N495LP, accident occurred on April 14, 2026, near Meadow Lake Airport (FLY/KFLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado

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=N495LP

- History of Flight:
On April 14, 2026, at about 0416 local time, a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, N495LP, registered to Meridian Aviation Services LLC, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing near Meadow Lake Airport (FLY/KFLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The local flight originated from the airport at 0048 LT.

According to the FAA: "Aircraft made an emergency landing in a field due to engine issues." ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at 8,000 it before it started a descent northeast of the airport.

According to preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications, the pilot contacted the KCOS approach about a problem with oil pressure.

Figure 1: Flightaware track

- Weather:

METAR KFLY 140955Z AUTO 35011G14KT 10SM CLR 08/M10 A2991 RMK AO2 T00751099

METAR KFLY 141015Z AUTO 01009G19KT 10SM SCT090 SCT110 08/M10 A2991 RMK AO2 T00761098

METAR KFLY 141035Z AUTO 36011KT 10SM OVC100 08/M10 A2991 RMK AO2 T00781100