Tuesday, June 03, 2025

Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron, N4321Z, fatal accident occurred on May 17, 2025, near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Apt (BJC/KBJC), Broomfield, Colorado

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=4321Z

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200166/pdf

CEDOCS
  • Location: Broomfield, CO 
  • Accident Number: CEN25FA178 
  • Date & Time: May 17, 2025, 10:03 Local 
  • Registration: N4321Z 
  • Aircraft: Beech 95-B55 (T42A) 
  • Injuries: 2 Fatal 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 17, 2025, about 1003 mountain daylight time, a Beechcraft 95-B55, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.


According to family members, the owner was providing a cross-country familiarity flight to the pilot-rated passenger who had recently purchased a similar airplane. Preliminary air traffic control (ATC) radar data showed the airplane depart runway 30R from the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC), Broomfield, about 1000. Shortly after rotation, the pilot made a radio call to the BJC control tower stating, “we had a door pop, we need to come back around.” ATC subsequently replied that the pilot could make “right closed traffic for 30R” along with asking the pilot are “you going to climb?”


Airport surveillance camera footage and radar data showed the airplane stopped its initial climb at 6,024 ft mean sea level (msl), about 400 ft above ground level, shortly after passing the departure end of runway 30R. ATC made numerous attempts to elicit a response from the pilot stating that they were cleared to land runway 30R and further cleared the pilot to land the airplane on any runway. The airplane entered the right traffic pattern for runway 30R, as instructed, and started a continuous slow descent. During the right crosswind to downwind turn, the airplane slowed from 94 knots (kts) groundspeed at 1002:12 to 81 kts about 15 seconds later.


At 1002:49, surveillance camera video from a bus stop along U.S. Route 36, located near the right downwind traffic pattern leg, captured the airplane with the landing gear extended entering a left bank that increased in roll rate until the airplane was in an inverted left wing down and nose low dive at 1002:53. The surveillance video shows what appears to be an open door, consistent with the pilot’s report to ATC (see Figure 1). 

The accident site was in a flat open field about 1.5 nautical miles north of runway 30R. Impact marks and debris were consistent with the airplane impacting the terrain in an estimated 90° left bank and nose down attitude. During the impact, the airplane rotated counterclockwise 180° opposite the direction of travel and came to rest upright. The debris field was about 85 ft in length with evidence of a postaccident fire.


The main cabin door was separated from the airplane, located on the left side of the debris path, and the door handle was found in the open position (see Figure 2). The rear sloped latch, lower pin, and upper claw latch were found in the locked position.

The components of the cabin baggage door thumb latch were located in the fuselage debris, and the latch was found in the closed and locked position. The nose baggage door could not be identified due to impact fragmentation of the forward fuselage. Flight control continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to their respective controls.

Airmax SeaMax M-22, N154RL, accident occurred on May 17, 2025, near Dahlgren Center, Virginia


https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N154RL

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200177/pdf

  • Location: Dahlgren Center, VA 
  • Accident Number: ERA25LA203 
  • Date & Time: May 17, 2025, 16:00 Local 
  • Registration: N154RL 
  • Aircraft: SEAMAX AIRCRAFT LTDA SEAMAX M-22 
  • Injuries: 1 Serious 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 17, 2025, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a special light sport amphibious Seamax M-22 airplane, N154RL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dahlgren, Virginia. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.


According to family, the pilot and passenger departed from his home-based airport near Fredericksburg, Virginia, then flew to Dahlgren, Virginia for an amphibious water landing on the Potomac River. Shortly after dropping off his passenger, the pilot taxied out for an attempted takeoff.


Surveillance footage from four separate cameras located at various sites on shore, showed the airplane during the initial takeoff run on a west to east track. After what appeared to be a normal takeoff run, the airplane rotated and lifted off, but during the initial climb, the airplane appeared to struggle to maintain the climb. The wings were rocking back and forth as the airplane climbed to about 75 to 100 ft above the water surface. The airplane then made a left turn to the north; shortly after, the left wing dropped, and the airplane abruptly descended in a left spiral until impacting the water. According to emergency personnel, the airplane floated briefly, and the pilot was rescued. A brief engine compartment fire ensued.


Post accident examination of the wreckage by the NTSB investigator revealed the airplane impacted the water in a steep, nose down attitude. The water was about 8 ft deep at the point of impact. There was substantial damage to the airframe; the left wing was impact-separated and the cockpit and fuselage were fractured and crushed in multiple locations. The empennage remained attached by control rods and cables. All flight control surfaces remained attached to their respective positions and were manually manipulated with corresponding cable movement. All fractures in the flight control cables had a “broomstraw” appearance indicative of overload.


The engine, mounted on top of the airframe in a pusher configuration, was exposed to fire near the propeller side of the engine, however, the engine was largely intact, and most thermal damage was limited to plastics and wiring insulation. Engine crankshaft and valve action continuity was confirmed. The spark plugs showed normal wear. The engine appeared well lubricated, and the oil tank (dry sump forced lubrication system) was intact and full of oil.


The 3-bladed composite propeller remained attached to the hub and reduction gearbox assembly, and it was manually rotated without any hinderance. One of the blades was destroyed by fire. The opposing blades remained intact. During manual operation of the propeller, bay water was forced out of the cylinders and the air filter assembly.


The engine fuel line adjacent to the cylinders was examined and about 5-ounces of liquid with the smell and color of aviation gasoline was observed; it was free of water or other contaminants.


The engine control unit was retained for further examination and download.

Cessna 180F, N2135Z, accident occurred on April 30, 2025, at Halliburton Field (DUC/KDUC), Duncan, Oklahoma

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N333TM

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200127/pdf

Prop Blast Aviation, LLC

  • Location: Duncan, OK 
  • Accident Number: CEN25LA173 
  • Date & Time: April 30, 2025, 19:50 Local 
  • Registration: N2135Z Aircraft: Cessna 180F 
  • Injuries: 2 None 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal


On April 30, 2025, about 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna 180F airplane, N2135Z, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at the Halliburton Field Airport (DUC), Duncan, Oklahoma. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.


The pilot reported that the accident occurred while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 17. The reported surface wind was from the west-southwest at 6-7 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane drifted right of the runway centerline during landing rollout, but his left rudder input did not correct for the right drift and the airplane departed off the right side of the runway. The airplane’s main landing gear sunk into soft turf which resulted in the airplane to nose over. The pilot and his passenger egressed from the airplane without injury. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and both wings.


A postaccident examination of the airplane’s rudder control system revealed that the left rudder cable was fractured. The fractured rudder cable and an associated pulley were removed from the airplane and shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board’s materials laboratory for additional examination and testing.

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N333TM, accident occurred on May 10, 2025, near Enumclaw, Washington

  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.

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Blocher, Kristyn

Additional Participating Entities:

  • Clifford Barnes; Federal Aviation Administration; Seattle, WA 
  • Russel Gait; Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, PA

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N333TM

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200149/pdf

Puget Sound Soaring Association

  • Location: Enumclaw, WA 
  • Accident Number: WPR25LA155 
  • Date & Time: May 10, 2025, 14:12 Local 
  • Registration: N333TM 
  • Aircraft: Piper PA-18-150 
  • Injuries: 1 None
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Glider tow

On May 10, 2025, about 1412 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N333TM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Enumclaw, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight.


The pilot was conducting glider tow operations from Bergseth Field Airport (WN76), Enumclaw, Washington. According to the pilot, he departed WN76 and was conducting turns consistent with the operator’s standard departure procedure, with a glider in tow. At about 200 ft above ground level (agl), and in a left bank, the engine abruptly lost all power. The pilot lowered the airplane’s nose and verified that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank, carburetor heat was off, throttle was full forward, and magneto switch was on BOTH. The pilot released the glider from its tow and initiated a forced landing to a field about 1 mile northwest of WN76. During the landing, the airplane impacted a fence and subsequently ground looped.


The pilot reported that the accident flight was the fourth flight of the day, and that the airplane had started the day’s flights with “slightly less than half tanks on either side.” Prior to the accident takeoff, the left wing fuel tank sight gauge indicated approximately ¼ - ½ full, and the right wing fuel tank indicated approximately ¼ full.


Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing, both left and right wing lift struts, and fuselage.


The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Cessna 172E Skyhawk, N5405T, accident occurred on May 8, 2025, near Florida City, 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.

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Gretz, Robert

Additional Participating Entities:

  • Michael Torrent; FAA/FSDO; Miramar, FL
  •  J Ferrell; Continental Motors; Mobile, AL 
  • Ernest Hall; Textron Aviation; Wichita, KS

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5405T

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200137/pdf

AGT Tech Corp opb EnvySky



  • Location: Florida City, FL 
  • Accident Number: ERA25LA200 
  • Date & Time: May 8, 2025, 19:30 Local  
  • Registration: N5405T
  • Aircraft: Cessna 172 
  • Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 8, 2025, about 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172E, N5405T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Florida City, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured and the private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.


The purpose of the flight was for the pilots to build flight experience, with the commercial pilot practicing simulated instrument meteorological conditions in the left seat, while the private pilot acted as a safety pilot in the right seat. The flight departed North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida at 1733, with 38 gallons of fuel. It proceeded out and back over the Florida Keys, with the intended destination of Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida. Near the destination, as the commercial pilot was making a left turn, the engine noise became silent, and she noticed the rpm was indicating below 1,000. The commercial pilot applied carburetor heat, with no success. She then transferred control to the private pilot so that she could use the engine start checklist and attempt to get the engine restarted. After two unsuccessful restart attempts, the private pilot performed a forced landing in a swamp and the airplane nosed over, inverted.


The private pilot added that there was no jolt or vibration before the engine noise went silent. Both pilots reported that the fuel selector handle was positioned to “BOTH” for the entire flight, and the private pilot moved it to “OFF” after the accident when he was securing the airplane, which also included turning off the master switch and ignition key.


Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it had sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The inspector also noted the right fuel tank contained several gallons of fuel, but the left fuel tank contained only residual fuel. He further stated that the 1964 Cessna model 172E fuel selector placarding was different from other model 172s and not as intuitive (Figure 1).


When he asked the commercial pilot what clock position the selector handle needed to be in to be selected for both fuel tanks, she stated 11 o’clock; however, BOTH was 12 o’clock and 11 o’clock was between BOTH and LEFT fuel tank selections. Additionally, the private pilot moved the fuel selector handle to the 4:30 o’clock position (between OFF and RIGHT fuel tank) to turn the fuel off; however, OFF was at the 6 o’clock position. The commercial pilot subsequently reported that more awareness of the specific aircraft model differences (Cessna 172E verses Cessna 172S) could have prevented the accident.


The wreckage was transported to a recovery facility 3 days after the accident. The FAA inspector witnessed a successful test run of the engine at that facility. Once fuel was introduced to the engine, it was started on the airframe and ran continuously.

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, N142SA, accident occurred on May 6, 2023, near Boulder City, Nevada

 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.

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Johnson, Scott

Additional Participating Entities:

  • Charlie Bierman; Federal Aviation Administration; Las Vegas, NV 
  • Michael McComb; Federal Aviation Administration; Las Vagas, NV

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N142SA

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200129/pdf


  • Location: Boulder City, NV 
  • Accident Number: WPR25LA152 
  • Date & Time: May 6, 2025, 14:50 Local  
  • Registration: N142SA
  • Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC-6-300 
  • Injuries: 13 None
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

On May 6, 2023, about 1450 Pacific daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-6-300, N142SA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada. The 2 pilots and 11 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 non-scheduled air taxi flight.


The pilot reported that while operating in visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions from Grand Canyon Bar Ten Airstrip (1Z1) Whitmore, Arizona to Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU). While enroute to BVU, they observed adverse weather along their route of flight and diverted south with the intention of landing at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Henderson, Nevada if the weather worsened. The pilot stated that the weather conditions improved east of BVU and they turned towards the airport. About 7 miles southeast of BVU while maneuvering for weather, the airplane encountered brief light turbulence and hail that lasted about 5 to 6 seconds. The pilot stated that following the encounter, they landed at BVU uneventfully.


A convective significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) 11W was valid on the day of the accident from 1355 to 1459, 20 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. An isolated thunderstorm was moving from 300° at 15 knots with the tops of the clouds ay about 33,000 ft. The valid time of the report ended at 1555.


Post flight examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings, , vertical stabilizer, and horizontal stabilizers.