Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT): Cessna 150F, N8047F, accident occurred on September 17, 2025, in Rigby, Idaho

• Location: Rigby, Idaho 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA283 
• Date & Time: September 17, 2025, 11:30 Local 
• Registration: N8047F 
• Aircraft: Cessna 150F 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
• Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201035/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201035

According to the flight instructor, the airplane struggled to maintain altitude during its initial climb following takeoff. A witness reported that the wing flaps were fully deployed during takeoff. Subsequently, the airplane clipped several trees and then its left landing gear struck a power line that resulted in a descent and impact with a building. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The flight instructor stated that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident review of the accident site photographs revealed that the airplane's flaps were extended rather than fully retracted as specified in the airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook.

- Probable Cause: The flight instructor's improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a subsequent impact with a building.

Loss of control in flight: Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, N505TZ, accident occurred on December 19, 2025, at Bell South Airfield (XS04), Fort Worth, Texas

• Location: Fort Worth, Texas 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA065 
• Date & Time: December 19, 2025, 08:25 Local 
• Registration: N505TZ 
• Aircraft: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 505 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
• Injuries: 2 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202186/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202186

The company's chief flight instructor reported that during a hydraulic system training maneuver, the pilot receiving instruction established too high of a sink rate, and the helicopter bounced upon touchdown. The helicopter then yawed to the right and bounced a second time before starting a slide towards the edge of the runway. The pilot receiving instruction attempted to correct by pushing the collective full down, however, the flight instructor realized that the helicopter would not come to a stop before exiting the runway and attempted to lift the helicopter back into the air. Before the helicopter could lift off, the left skid contacted the grass, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor contacted the ground. The helicopter then rolled to the right and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor system, and tail boom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The chief flight instructor reported the accident could have been prevented if the flight instructor would have recognized the excessive rate of descent and made the necessary control inputs.

- Probable Cause: The flight instructor's inadequate supervision during the approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control.

Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT): American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon, N59SE, accident occurred on January 29, 2026, near Alpine, Wyoming

• Location: Alpine, Wyoming 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA095 
• Date & Time: January 29, 2026, 14:30 Local 
• Registration: N59SE 
• Aircraft: American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202381/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202381

At the conclusion of an uneventful flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport and entered the airport traffic pattern. The pilot stated that after he turned onto the base leg for the runway, he unknowingly lost depth perception and flew into the snow-covered terrain due to the “flat light” conditions. During the accident sequence, the airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. 

The pilot added that the terrain surrounding his base leg of the traffic pattern was a dry lakebed covered in snow, the sky was overcast, and there were no shadows. He further stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Nose over/nose down: American Champion 8GCBC Denali Scout, N636DB, accident occurred on March 1, 2026, at Sky Ranch at Carefree (18AZ), Carefree, Arizona

• Location: Carefree, Arizona 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA114 
• Date & Time: March 1, 2026, 19:20 Local 
• Registration: N636DB 
• Aircraft: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8GCBC 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Nose over/nose down 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202583/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202583

The pilot reported that he landed the tailwheel equipped airplane at a backcountry airstrip, and while taxiing on rough terrain, the tailwheel spring failed and the tailwheel assembly separated from the airplane. The pilot shut down the airplane and exited to inspect and retrieve the tailwheel assembly. He then decided to depart, using engine power to lift the tail off the ground for the take-off roll, and return to his home airport where he planned to land and hold the airplane’s tail off the ground as long as possible. The pilot completed a successful wheel landing, but as the airplane slowed during the landing roll it tipped forward and nosed over, coming to rest inverted on the dirt runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame, wings, vertical stabilizer, ailerons, elevators, rudder, and wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he may have inadvertently applied more main-wheel braking pressure than necessary while trying to keep the tail off the ground, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Other than the previously damaged tailwheel assembly, the pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane with a known mechanical defect, and the improper application of the main wheel brakes, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

Loss of control on ground: Beechcraft 95-A55 Baron, N500CA, accident occurred on November 9, 2025, at Moore County Airport (SOP/KSOP), Southern Pines, North Carolina

• Location: Southern Pines, North Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA037 
• Date & Time: November 9, 2025, 05:10 Local 
• Registration: N500CA 
• Aircraft: Beech 95-A55 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201976/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201976

The pilot reported that he was departing in a multi-engine airplane at night. During the takeoff roll, a small animal darted towards the runway. Distracted, he released a small amount of rudder pressure but elected to continue the takeoff. The airplane subsequently collided with a runway edge light, which resulted in substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff at night, while distracted by an animal approaching the runway, which resulted in collision with a runway light.

Cessna A150L Aerobat, N6067J, accident occurred on May 10, 2026, near Superior, 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=N6067J

- History of Flight:
On May 10, 2026, at about 1321 local time, a privately-registered Cessna A150L Aerobat, N6067J, sustained substantial damage in a forced landing near Superior, Arizona. There were no injuries. The personal flight originated from Falcon Field (FFZ/KFFZ), Mesa, Arizona, at 1258.

Preliminary information indicates the airplane departed FFZ and entered a climb to 5,600 ft before experiencing engine issues. The airplane entered a descent and landed on highway US-60, striking a vehicle before coming to rest. The pilot and occupants in the vehicle were not injured. The NTSB is investigating.

Figure 1: ADS-B data

Piper PA-24-180 Comanche, N7191P, incident occurred on May 10, 2026, at Rock Hill/York County Airport (UZA/KUZA), Rock Hill, South Carolina

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=N7191P

- History of Flight:
On May 10, 2026, at about 2118 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-24-180 Comanche, N7191P, sustained unknown damage when it landed gearup on runway 2 at Rock Hill/York County Airport (UZA/KUZA), Rock Hill, South Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Lexington County Airport (6J0), Pelion, South Carolina, at 2033.

- Weather:

METAR KAKH 110054Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/12 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP153 T02000122 $

METAR KAKH 110154Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/13 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP161 T01780128 $