Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo, N5656M, fatal accident occurred on July 7, 2025, near Raleigh Executive Jetport (KTTA), Sanford, North 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=N5656M

On July 7, 2025, at about 1330 local time, a privately-registered Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo, N5656M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on approach to land at Raleigh Executive Jetport (KTTA), Sanford, North Carolina. There were four occupants onboard. One fatality is confirmed at this point. The cross-country personal flight originated from Merritt Island Airport (COI/KCOI), Merritt Island, Florida, at about 1103 LT.

This post will be updated when further info is released.

- Weather:

METAR KTTA 071655Z AUTO 24006KT 10SM CLR 32/23 A3003 RMK AO2 T03170225

METAR KTTA 071715Z AUTO 23007KT 10SM CLR 32/23 A3003 RMK AO2 T03190225

METAR KTTA 071725Z AUTO 25007KT 10SM CLR 32/22 A3003 RMK AO2 T03200224

METAR KTTA 071735Z AUTO 26006KT 10SM CLR 32/23 A3002 RMK AO2 T03210225

METAR KTTA 071755Z AUTO 22005KT 10SM SCT043 33/22 A3003 RMK AO2 T03250221 10325 20229

Miscellaneous/other: Capella Aircraft FW1C50, N556CF, accident occurred on December 15, 2024, at Gimlin Airport (18MO), Ozark, Missouri

• Location: Ozark, Missouri 
• Accident Number: CEN25LA062 
• Date & Time: December 15, 2024, 11:20 Local 
• Registration: N556CF 
• Aircraft: CAPELLA AIRCRAFT CORP FW1C50 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199442/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199442

The pilot reported that he was unfamiliar with the single seat amateur-built airplane and his intent was to perform high speed taxi testing of the airplane. He stated that he made a highspeed taxi to the south on runway 18 and then proceeded to make another high-speed taxi in the opposite direction on runway 36. During the high-speed taxi on runway 36, wind from the southeast picked up the left wing, the airplane inadvertently became airborne, and the airplane drifted to the right. The airplane was heading toward trees and the pilot applied full throttle to clear the trees but was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane struck the ground, and the nose and right main landing gear separated. The right wing incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during high-speed taxi.

Fuel exhaustion: Bell 206B JetRanger II, N5QV, accident on March 21, 2025, at Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK/KPDK), Chamblee, Georgia

• Location: Chamblee, Georgia
• Accident Number: ERA25LA156 
• Date & Time: March 21, 2025, 15:53 Local 
• Registration: N5QV 
• Aircraft: Bell 206 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial
• Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199910/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199910

The pilot of the electronic news gathering helicopter reported that he departed the airport on a preplanned flight to obtain video footage at four locations. After filming the four locations, but before returning to the airport, the pilot was contacted via radio about filming a fifth location due to breaking news. While over the fifth location, the cockpit fuel pump caution light illuminated, and the pilot noticed a low fuel level but elected to return to the airport rather than land at a nearby city helipad. While over the airport ramp area at 100 to 150 ft above ground level, the engine “hiccupped” and then lost all power. The pilot attempted an autorotation, but the helicopter landed hard on the ramp area. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector also noted that the fuel tanks were absent of fuel and the cockpit fuel gauge needle was below “E.”

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.

Low altitude operation/event: Enstrom 280FX Shark, N402TA, accident occurred on March 15, 2025, near Waterford, California

• Location: Waterford, California 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA112 
• Date & Time: March 15, 2025, 11:00 Local 
• Registration: N402TA 
• Aircraft: Enstrom 280FX 
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed 
• Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199873/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199873

A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT): Buckeye Dream Machine, Unregistered, accident occurred on December 21, 2024, in Myakka City, Florida

• Location: Myakka City, Florida 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA089 
• Date & Time: December 21, 2024, 18:00 Local 
• Registration: UNREG 
• Aircraft: Buckeye Dream Machine Aircraft 
• Damage: None 
• Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199501/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199501

The non-certificated pilot of the unregistered powered parachute had no formal flight training, but had watched internet videos showing how it was operated. On the day of the accident, he departed from a baseball field and completed an uneventful first solo flight. His second flight was the accident flight. The pilot stated that as he started the takeoff roll for the flight, he realized that he was too close to a fence that surrounded the baseball field but decided to continue the takeoff anyway. As the takeoff continued, the pilot described that there was a gust of wind, and the powered parachute subsequently contacted the fence, seriously injuring the pilot. The powered parachute was not damaged. The pilot did not report that there were any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The non-certificated pilot’s improper decision to operate the powered parachute in close proximity to a fence, which resulted in a collision with the fence during takeoff. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the powered parachute without having received any formal training.

Loss of control on ground: Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, N4505R, accident occurred on April 28, 2025, at Lake County Airport (LKV/KLKV), Lakeview, Oregon

• Location: Lakeview, Oregon 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA143 
• Date & Time: April 28, 2025, 13:15 Local 
• Registration: N4505R 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-28-140 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200077/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200077

According to the pilot, upon arrival at the airport, they observed the windsock indicating the wind was from the north at 15 knots. He performed a no-flap, straight in approach to runway 35, and the airplane touched down just before the 1,000 ft runway marker. After touchdown the airplane veered to the right of the runway, and he attempted to correct back to the runway with brake and left rudder inputs. As the airplane continued off runway heading, the pilot initiated a go-around and was about 5 to 10 ft above ground level when the stall warning horn annunciated. The pilot reduced back pressure, and the airplane touched back down on the runway. The pilot stated that he had insufficient braking after touchdown and the airplane exited the runway surface and struck an agricultural ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

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 the landing roll.