Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Missing aircraft: Air Tractor AT-802A Fire Boss, N4025K, fatal accident occurred on April 29, 2025, in Atlantic Ocean

  • Location: Atlantic Ocean
  • Accident Number: CEN25LA164 
  • Date & Time: April 29, 2025, 08:40 Local 
  • Registration: N4025K 
  • Aircraft: Air Tractor AT802 
  • Aircraft Damage: Destroyed 
  • Defining Event: Missing aircraft 
  • Injuries: 1 Fatal 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Ferry

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200088/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200088

The float equipped airplane was en route on a ferry flight from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, to Santa Maria, Portugal, when 130 nautical miles east-southeast of St. John’s, the airplane disappeared from radar over the Atlantic Ocean. An emergency locator transmitter was activated shortly after.

Search and rescue assets discovered one of the two pontoons, a plastic container containing a backpack, a seat cushion, and an empty life raft floating on the ocean surface in the vicinity where the airplane went missing. An oil slick was also observed on the water next to the pontoon. The search continued through the following day. The airplane and pilot have not been located.

ADS-B information showed the airplane took off and climbed to approximately 6,000 ft msl and proceeded on an easterly heading. About 21 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported picking up ice and requested a higher altitude. He was cleared and climbed to 7,000 ft. About 35 minutes into the flight, the airplane made a slight right turn and proceeded east-southeast. About 1 hour and 6 minutes into the flight, the airplane began a 2,000 ft/min. descent to the ocean surface. Just before reaching the surface, the airplane made a 180° turn toward the west. ADS-B data ended 1 hour and 10 minutes after takeoff.

- Probable Cause: The airplane’s impact with the ocean for undetermined reasons based on the available evidence.

Mooney M20R, N9166Z, accident occurred on June 9, 2025, at Hidden Lake Airport (FA40), New Port Richey, Florida

  • Location: New Port Richey, FL 
  • Accident Number: ERA25LA273 
  • Date & Time: June 9, 2025, 06:00 Local 
  • Registration: N9166Z 
  • Aircraft: Mooney M20R 
  • Injuries: 1 None 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200582/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9166Z

On June 9, 2025, about 0600 eastern daylight time, a Mooney, M20R airplane, N9166Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Port Richey, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he departed Inverness Airport (INF), Inverness, Florida and flew for about 15 minutes to Hidden Lake Airport (FA40), New Port Richey, Florida where he intended to land. During the landing flare to runway 5, a 4,425-ft-long runway, the airplane floated; the pilot reported that he was uncomfortable trying to land on the remaining runway, so he executed a go-around, by adding full power and setting the flaps for climb. During the maneuver, at about 50 ft. the engine immediately stopped producing power. There was no hesitation or “engine cough” that preceded the loss of power. Too low to fully troubleshoot, the pilot switched fuel tanks, but it did not restore power and the airplane began to descend.

The airplane descended into the runway overrun area and impacted brush and muddy terrain before coming to rest upright. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after recovery and confirmed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The right wing sustained damage to the wing spar and there were multiple buckles and dents throughout the fuselage.

According to the pilot, he should have had at least 17 gallons remaining in the fuel tanks at the time of the accident, based on his fuel consumption and the airplane’s most recent fueling that occurred on June 1, 2025. In addition, he reported that neither low fuel quantity warning lights illuminated during the flight.

The pilot called to report the accident on July 19, 2025, 40 days after its occurrence. The airplane was retained for further examination. 

Cessna T240 Corvalis TTx, N636CS, fatal accident occurred on July 13, 2025, in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California

  • Location: San Diego, CA 
  • Accident Number: WPR25LA212 
  • Date & Time: July 13, 2025, 16:29 Local 
  • Registration: N636CS 
  • Aircraft: Cessna T240 Injuries: 1 Fatal 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200551/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N636CS

The NTSB is conducting a Class 4 investigation into this event. A preliminary report will not be issued but a final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Lancair 360, N50LM, accident occurred on July 24, 2025, near Breckinridge County Airport (I93), Hardinsburg, Kentucky

  • Location: Hardinsburg, KY 
  • Accident Number: ERA25LA277 
  • Date & Time: July 24, 2025, 10:00 Local 
  • Registration: N50LM 
  • Aircraft: MANGELS LEIGHTON LANCAIR360 
  • Injuries: 2 Minor 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200641/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N50LM

On July 24, 2025, about 1000 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair 360, N50LM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hardinsburg, Kentucky. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot said he departed Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, about 0715, and flew to DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DKB), DeKalb, Illinois, with 34 gallons of fuel onboard. The pilot landed in DKB, then taxied back to the runway and departed as a flight of two with a North American Navion, about 0809. Their destination was the Breckenridge Airport (I93), Hardinsburg, Tennessee. The pilot did not purchase fuel in DKB.

The pilot said that he followed behind the Navion at an altitude of 7,500 ft. mean sea level (msl) and flew direct to I93. He said he had to reduce his engine’s power setting so as not to overrun the Navion, which was a slower airplane. The pilot said that when he was on short final approach to runway 10 at I93, the engine suddenly stopped producing power. He immediately retracted the landing gear and flaps to extend his glide to the runway. He also attempted to restart the engine but to no avail. The airplane impacted trees about 1,500 ft. short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. There was no postimpact fire. The pilot said his last check of the fuel level onboard was on final approach. He said the fuel totalizer indicated about 6 gallons, which appeared to agree with the sight gauge on the header tank.

The airplane wreckage was recovered by the pilot and retained for further examination by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too, N983AM, accident occurred on August 6, 2025, near Marshall, Arkansas

  • Location: Marshall, AR 
  • Accident Number: CEN25LA305 
  • Date & Time: August 6, 2025, 15:52 Local 
  • Registration: N983AM 
  • Aircraft: Stolp Starduster SA300 
  • Injuries: 1 None 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200726/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N983AM

On August 6, 2025 about 1552 central daylight time, a Stolp Starduster SA 300 airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marshall, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

According to the pilot, he purchased the airplane earlier in the day and performed about 6 takeoffs and landings before departing Smith Field Airport (SLG), Siloam Springs, Arkansas for Classic Airstrip (23AR), Jonesboro, Arkansas. Before departing SLG he topped off the main tank, which holds 27 gallons of fuel and the auxiliary tank, which holds 17 gallons of fuel for a total of 44 gallons of fuel.

About 40 minutes after departing SLG, the airplane had a sudden and total loss of power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot by manipulating the throttle and switching fuel tanks, but the power was unable to be restored. The pilot performed an off airport landing to a field striking the right wing on a fence post during the landing sequence. The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. 

The pilot stated that the airplane had a conditional inspection on July 1, 2025, and this was the first flight after the inspection was performed other than the 6 takeoffs and landings he made prior to departing SLG.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Van's RV-7A, N30SG, fatal accident occurred on August 12, 2025, at Ryan Field (2MT1), West Glacier, Montana

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=N30SG

Nevada Flyboys LLP

On August 12, 2025, at about 1500 local time, a Van's RV-7A, N30SG, registered to Nevada Flyboys LLP out of Minden, Nevada, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Ryan Field (2MT1), West Glacier, Montana. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from Kalispell City Airport (S27), Kalispell, Montana, and was destined to 2MT1.

According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at about 1425 local time, the airplane departed runway 13 at Kalispell and entered a climbing left turn to a cruising altitude of 5,000 ft. The airplane was tracking north when the data stopped 10 minutes after takeoff. At 1442 LT, the airplane was seen again in the vicinity of Ryan Field. Between 1442 and 1452, the airplane was seen circling the airfield, but the validity of this data is unknown at this point. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1456:47, the airplane was at 4375 ft, 82 knots ground speed, and descending northeast of the airfield. (figure 1)

Figure 1: ADS-B Exchange data of end of flight

There were no known witnesses to the accident. The sheriff reported that the airplane was found down an embankment and inverted off the runway.

On August 13, 2025, the FAA provided more information, stating:

"AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER RIGHT WING CLIPPED A TREE ON ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND, KALISPELL, MT."

- Pilot Info:
unknown at this point.

- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 
71130, was manufactured in 2014. The low-wing, two-seat airplane was equipped with a 180-horsepower TMX Mattituck O-360 engine.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
unknown at this point.

- Airport Information:
Ryan Field (2MT1) is a privately owned airfield located 1 mile southwast of West Glacier, Montana. It features a single turf runway 15 which is 2500 x 65 ft. The airport elevation was 3660 ft. (Figure 2)

Figure 2: Overview of 2MT1 from Google Earth with end of track portion, note "extend to ground option is disabled to make it easier to view.

According to an additional remark, pilots must obtain a mandatory safety briefing before landing at the airfield. This briefing can be obtained at https://theraf.org/ryan-field/

According to the website:
"Prior to arrival, each pilot is required to review and acknowledge the current safety briefing, updated annually. If you are not yet an Airfield Guide user, you will need to create a free account. The RAF requires the electronic record that you received the briefing. It is valid only for the pilot making the request.

Ryan Field – as all backcountry – is for recreational enjoyment, not training. Please no touch and goes. Land, stretch your legs, have a picnic, and enjoy the area! If you'd like to pitch your tent or reserve a camping cabin, even better!"

To confirm that you've read the briefing, the website gives you two info boxes, one for your name and other for your aircraft's N number (registration, see figure 3).

Figure 3: Safety Briefing, screenshot via "blancolirio" youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NijcT0baS_o

- Weather:
The closest weather reporting station, Glacier Park International Airport (KGPI), Kalispell, Montana, located 16 nautical miles away, reported the following conditions:

Recorded at 1455 (5 minutes before the accident) noted: winds 160 at at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 31°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury (inHg).

The calculated density altitude was roughly 6462 ft.

METAR KGPI 122055Z 16006KT 10SM CLR 31/11 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP098 T03110106 56018 <<

METAR KGPI 122155Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 32/10 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP089 T03170100

- Additional Information:
no