Bell 206B JetRanger III, N422RH, accident occurred on November 11, 2024, at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL/KLAL), Lakeland, Florida

• Location: Lakeland, Florida
• Accident Number: ERA25LA059
• Date & Time: November 21, 2024, 11:35 Local
• Registration: N422RH
• Aircraft: Bell 206B
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial
• Defining Event: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness
• Injuries: 1 None
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195549/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195549

The pilot reported that during the approach to land, he initiated a left turn to align with the wind and landing pad when the helicopter entered an uncommanded right spin. He attributed the loss of control to an 18-knot tailwind and described the event as consistent with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. He was unable to regain control, and the helicopter descended in a spiraling right turn before impacting the ground. A post-accident review of photographs by the NTSB investigator confirmed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a tailwind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, and subsequent hard landing.

Cessna 560 Citation V Ultra, N981AG, accident occurred on December 11, 2024, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL/KATL), Atlanta, Georgia

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Accident Number: ERA25LA073
• Date & Time: December 11, 2024, 02:30 Local 
• Registration: N981AG Aircraft: Cessna 560 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial
• Defining Event: Ground collision 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199408/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199408

The flight crew of the business jet was taxiing from the ramp to the runway at night after receiving their departure clearance. As they transitioned from the ramp area to the taxiway, they were crossing a non-licensed vehicle roadway (NLVR). A vehicle traveling along the NLVR collided with the nose of the airplane, substantially damaging the forward portion of the fuselage. The driver of the vehicle stated that she was aware of the signage requiring vehicles to yield to aircraft, and that when she didn’t see an aircraft as she approached the intersection, she continued to drive. She further described that it was dark and raining, but not foggy, and that it was difficult to see. She did not realize that the vehicle had struck the airplane until after the collision, and when she looked back after coming to a stop, she saw the airplane and its illuminated wingtip lights. She further stated that she had not anticipated encountering an airplane at that time of the morning, had become complacent, and that she should have been more observant. 

- Probable Cause: The vehicle driver’s inadequate visual lookout while driving on a non-licensed vehicle roadway in restricted visibility conditions, which resulted in a collision with a taxiing airplane.

Landing gear not configured: Beechcraft 58 Baron, N458K, accident occurred on December 27, 2025, at Florence Regional Airport (FLO/KFLO), Florence, South Carolina

• Location: Florence, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA094 
• Date & Time: December 27, 2024, 18:30 Local 
• Registration: N458K 
• Aircraft: Beech 58 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Landing gear not configured 
• Injuries: 6 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199523/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199523

The pilot was on a return, cross country flight to his home airport in instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot reported that he first performed a non-precision approach into the airport, where he reported that the landing gear extended normally. After performing a missed approach, the pilot retracted the landing gear and he then performed a precision approach in the opposite direction. The pilot reported that he put the landing gear switch in the down position, but that the landing gear did not extend. The pilot elected to continue the approach without troubleshooting, extending the gear manually, or referring to the emergency checklist. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane on the runway with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

After the accident, the pilot performed an operational check and troubleshooting of the landing gear without authorization. The pilot reported that the landing gear again failed to extend, but would retract during his testing. The pilot also reported that the manual landing gear extension system operated normally. During the testing, the pilot said he found an “open circuit of the gear relay due to moisture or foreign debris.” After troubleshooting, the pilot reported that the landing gear started to operate normally. After the pilot had performed the unauthorized troubleshooting, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the landing gear system, and performed a functional test, during which he found that it operated normally.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to follow the emergency procedures and extend the landing gear manually after the landing gear did not initially extend normally.

Loss of lift: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N5786S, accident occurred on April 19, 2025, near Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2), Hood River, Oregon

• Location: Hood River, Oregon 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA138 
• Date & Time: April 19, 2025, 11:37 Local 
• Registration: N5786S 
• Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-33A 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of lift 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200048/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200048

The flight instructor reported that while turning final, the glider encountered a loss of lift and there was not sufficient altitude to reach the airport. The instructor chose to land in an orchard, and during the landing roll, the glider struck several small trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.