Aqua-Bee, N799RX, accident on February 25, 2025, at Miami–Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF/KOPF), Miami Gardens, Florida

Aviation Investigation Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Mccarter, Lawrence

Additional Participating Entities:

• Michael H. Torrent; FAA/FSDO; Miramar, FL

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199777/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199777

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N799RX

Location: Miami, Florida 
Accident Number: ERA25LA131 
Date & Time: February 25, 2025, 15:30 Local 
Registration: N799RX Aircraft: MALLORY HORTON AQUA-BEE 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining 
Event: Landing gear not configured 
Injuries: 1 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test 

At the conclusion of the local test flight of the experimental amateur-built amphibious airplane, the pilot arrived back in the airport traffic pattern for landing. After receiving clearance to land, he arrived over the runway, reduced power and flared for landing, realizing that he had not extended the landing gear when he heard the hull contact the runway. The airplane skidded to a stop resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage/hull. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause:

The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear before touchdown.

Eurocopter EC 130T2 (Airbus Helicopters H130), N3WL, accident occurred on February 13, 2025, at Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY/KCNY), Moab, Utah

Aviation Investigation Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Swick, Andrwe

Additional Participating Entities:

• James Hill; FAA-FSDO; Salt Lake City, UT

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199715/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199715

Well Lived Mt LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N3WL

Location: Moab, Utah 
Accident Number: WPR25LA093 
Date & Time: February 13, 2025, 10:50 Local 
Registration: N3WL
Aircraft: Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 Aircraft 
Damage: Substantial 
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 
Injuries: 7 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Unknown 

Analysis:

The pilot reported that shortly after he lifted off from a helipad, a window dislodged from a nearby hangar door and impacted the helicopter’s main rotor blade from behind, which in a loss of lift and an excessive vibration. The pilot initiated an emergency landing and subsequently landed hard. One of the main rotor blades was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause:

The inflight collision with debris during takeoff.

Amazon MK30, N265PA, accident occurred on February 21, 2025, at Pendleton UAS Range, Pendleton, Oregon

Aviation Investigation Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Gutierrez, Eric

Additional Participating Entities:

• Christopher Painter; FAA; Portland, OR

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199746/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199746

Amazon.com Services LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N265PA

Location: Pendleton, Oregon
Accident Number: WPR25LA103
Date & Time: February 21, 2025, 10:33 Local
Registration: N265PA
Aircraft: AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK30 Aircraft
Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

Analysis:

The operator of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) reported that, the purpose of the flight was to test the Safe Contingent Land (SCL) during a flight test operation, vertical ascent following a delivery. An obstacle (cart) was intentionally placed in the delivery area. As the UAS hovered over the delivery location, a commercial drone piloted by another employee, intentionally flew above the UAS. The UAS detected the drone and descended. During the descent the UAS struck the cart and came to a stop on the ground near the cart. After landing, the UAS performed an unplanned vertical ascent, started to oscillate, and descended into the ground.

The UAS sustained substantial damage to the upper wing struts and fuselage.

The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the UAS that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: 

The unmanned aircraft system’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N82065, accident occurred on August 15, 2024, near Arctic Village, Alaska

Aviation Investigation Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Rasmussen, Mitchell

Additional Participating Entities:

• Kyle Weinzirl; FAA FSDO Fairbanks; Fairbanks, AK

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194992/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194992

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N82065

Analysis:

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind that lifted the left wing and pushed the airplane to the right of the remote, off airport site. The right wingtip struck the ground, and the airplane ground looped which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause:

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.