Ground collision: Cessna 152, N24932, accident occurred on March 26, 2026, at Van Nuys Airport (VNY/KVNY), Van Nuys, California

• Location: Los Angeles, California 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA144 
• Date & Time: March 26, 2026, 14:20 Local 
• Registration: N24932 
• Aircraft: Cessna 152 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Ground collision 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202718/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202718

The pilot reported that while taxiing to the run-up area, he noticed that it was more congested than usual. While passing to the left of a muti-engine aircraft, the pilot focused his attention more than usual on right wing clearance and did not adequately monitor the left wingtip. Upon recognizing the inadequate clearance of the left wing tip, the pilot applied both brakes. Subsequently, the left wing struck a jet blast fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the left 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 adequate clearance from a jet blast fence during taxi.

Loss of lift: Schleicher ASW 27-18, N27CU, accident occurred on April 20, 2026, near Greenwood, South Carolina

 

• Location: Greenwood, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA199 
• Date & Time: April 20, 2026, 14:30 Local 
• Registration: N27CU 
• Aircraft: ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO ASW 27-18 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of lift 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202950/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202950

The glider pilot reported that he was participating in a racing competition. He was able to find thermals up to 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and later could not climb higher than 4,500 ft msl. At that time, the glider was about 20 miles from his intended destination, which the pilot thought he could reach; however, the glider subsequently encountered a strong sink, and he could not find any more thermals. Unable to glide to an airport, he attempted a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the left wing contacted a swale in the middle of the field. The glider spun, the tailboom also contacted the swale and separated, and the glider came to rest upright. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. 

- Probable Cause: The glider pilot’s encounter with a strong sink/loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

Loss of control on ground: Cessna 150H, N6762S, accident occurred on April 21, 2026, at Los Alamos County Airport (LAM/KLAM), Española, New Mexico

• Location: Española, New Mexico 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA168 
• Date & Time: April 21, 2026, 16:30 Local 
• Registration: N6762S 
• Aircraft: Cessna 150H 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202901/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202901

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, he observed a dust element to the right of the runway. He then felt a violent lifting of the right wing and the airplane weathervaned into the wind. He applied full power, corrected with rudder, aileron and initiated a go-around, however, the right wing continued to lift, and the left wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 16 with wind from 210° at 7 knots. 

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

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s loss of of directional control during landing roll following an encounter with a dust devil.

Landing gear collapse: Beechcraft V35B Bonanza, N35KA, accident occurred on February 17, 2026, at Gulf Shores-Jack Edwards Airport (JKA/KJKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama

• Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA117 
• Date & Time: February 17, 2026, 12:30 Local 
• Registration: N35KA 
• Aircraft: Beech V35 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Landing gear collapse 
• Injuries: 3 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202457/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202457

The pilot reported that during the takeoff he inadvertently retracted the landing gear prior to establishing a positive rate of climb. The pilot initially tried to continue the takeoff, and the airplane briefly became airborne before he then elected to reject the takeoff and land on the remaining runway. The airplane came to rest on its on the underside of the fuselage with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to establish a positive rate of climb before retracting the landing gear, which resulted in abnormal runway contact during the takeoff roll. 

Structural icing: Cirrus SR20 G7+ TRAC, N619AV, accident occurred on March 10, 2026, near Redington, Arizona

• Location: Redington, Arizona 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA126 
• Date & Time: March 10, 2026, 14:17 Local 
• Registration: N619AV 
• Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Structural icing 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202644/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202644

The pilot reported that, while en route on a cross-country flight operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) at 11,000 ft mean sea level (msl), she was cleared by air traffic control (ATC) to deviate from her planned route as necessary to remain clear of developing clouds. She continued to monitor weather conditions via the multifunction display (MFD) and was aware of light to moderate precipitation developing along the route; however, she elected to continue the flight. 

Shortly thereafter, the controller cleared the pilot to climb to 12,000 ft msl to maintain cloud clearance. During the climb, the airplane encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which included moderate precipitation, and the pilot began to observe indications of airframe icing. Concerned about potential degradation in aircraft performance, she requested a descent to a lower altitude while continuing along the planned route of flight. 

During the descent, an airspeed annunciation activated, prompting the pilot to disengage the autopilot and manually control the airplane. As the descent continued, rime ice rapidly accumulated on the airframe. Subsequently, both the stall warning horn and stick shaker activated. 

At approximately 9,500 ft msl, the controller issued a low-altitude alert and instructed the pilot to climb immediately. The pilot responded by pitching up to initiate a climb; however, the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. After having descended about 2,000 ft, the pilot activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). 

The airplane descended under parachute and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right elevator and rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

According to the airplane’s flight manual, “Flight into known icing conditions is prohibited.”

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight into icing conditions, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe icing and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Collision during takeoff/land: Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N7864G, accident occurred on February 28, 2026, in Bennettsville, South Carolina

• Location: Bennettsville, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA132 
• Date & Time: February 28, 2026, 13:30 Local 
• Registration: N7864G 
• Aircraft: Cessna 172L 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202567/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202567

The pilot was attempting to land on a private grass runway but due to sun glare, inadvertently landed in an adjacent field. The pilot then taxied to a nearby paved road and attempted to take off with the intent to land at the private grass runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with trees resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. 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 clearance from trees on takeoff from a rural road.

Loss of control on ground: Beechcraft V35B Bonanza, N15VM, accident occurred on March 21, 2026, at Saluda County Airport (6J4), Saluda, South Carolina

• Location: Saluda, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA154 
• Date & Time: March 21, 2026, 12:35 Local 
• Registration: N15VM Aircraft: Beech V35 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
• Injuries: 2 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202727/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202727

The pilot stated that after arrival to the destination airport he overflew it and entered a left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for landing. He configured the airplane for landing then turned onto the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern where he lowered full flaps maintaining a crosswind correction of right wing low and left rudder input. On short final he reduced power to idle and flared either too little or too late, after which the airplane bounced. With the airplane in a slight nose-up attitude, he believed he added power too quickly but did not recall adding right rudder input. The airplane violently and abruptly turned left, after which he was partially able to recover but not before flying away from the runway and impacting a chain link fence. The airplane then landed hard in an open area on the airport resulting substantial damage to both wings and the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded a normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion, collision with a fence, and a hard landing.

Loss of lift: Glasflügel H-401 Kestrel, N9919, accident occurred on March 5, 2026, near Little Switzerland, North Carolina

• Location: Little Switzerland, North Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA138 
• Date & Time: March 5, 2026, 13:59 Local 
• Registration: N9919 
• Aircraft: Glasflugel Kestrel 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of lift 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202606/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202606

The pilot of the glider had located five possible locations for off airport landings in advance of the glider flying event. On the accident flight, after receiving an aerotow, he maneuvered in the local area and found thermal lift that he used to climb further. After finding additional lift, the pilot flew across a ridge line toward a mountain where he hoped to find additional lift but was unsuccessful. He then turned around attempted to cross back over the ridge line where he knew there were several sites for an off-airport landing. The pilot realized that he would not be able to cross the ridge and then observed a private turf runway that he had not previously seen. During his landing approach the glider struck trees about 200 ft short of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to its fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: A loss of thermal lift during a glider flight, which resulted in a collision with trees during a landing approach to a diversionary airport.

Fuel starvation: Beechcraft 95-C55 Baron, N95KC, accident occurred on December 8, 2025, near Cocoa, Florida

• Location: Cocoa, Florida 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA065 
• Date & Time: December 8, 2025, 17:37 Local
• Registration: N95KC 
• Aircraft: Beech 95-C55 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel starvation 
• Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202132/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202132

The pilot and the flight instructor were flying the multi-engine airplane in preparation for the pilot’s multi-engine practical test the following day. Prior to departing, the pilots thought that the airplane had a total of 65 gallons of fuel onboard based solely on their observations of the airplane’s cockpit fuel quantity gauges. The pilot specifically stated that the main fuel tanks indicated 1/2-full and the auxiliary fuel tanks indicated 3/4-full. 

They departed and began a series of maneuvers and scenarios, and neither pilot selected the auxiliary fuel tanks for that portion of the flight. After about 1.3 hours of flight time, and while on approach back to the departure airport, the pilot reported that at about 1,500 ft agl, the airplane began to lose altitude and he perceived that the airplane’s engines had lost power. Shortly after, the flight instructor took control of the airplane and they attempted to restore engine power. The flight instructor pitched for best glide and began to search for a suitable landing location. During the landing attempt on an interstate, the airplane contacted a passenger vehicle and came to rest between the center lanes of the highway. The airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. 

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed all of the fuel tanks were intact and the fuel caps remained secured. The cockpit fuel gauges indicated that both main fuel tanks were empty and that the right and left auxiliary fuel tanks contained 1/4 and 1/2 tank, respectively; a total of 23 gallons. About 1 pint of fuel was recovered from each of the main fuel tanks. Given this information, it is likely that the simultaneous loss of engine power to both of the airplane’s engines was the result of fuel starvation.

- Probable Cause: The flight crew’s failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation.

Loss of control in flight: Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C, N9624J, accident occurred on February 23, 2026, at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY/KEQY), Monroe, North Carolina

• Location: Monroe, North Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA123 
• Date & Time: February 23, 2026, 13:34 Local 
• Registration: N9624J 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-28-180 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202490/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202490

The pilot reported that before landing in gusting crosswind conditions, he verified the crosswind component was within the capability of the airplane and completed the descent checklist. After crossing midfield, he entered the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and observed the windsock favoring runway 5, with wind “10-11 o’clock off the runway”. The before landing checklist was completed, and he planned to add 15 mph to his approach airspeed and utilize 20°of flaps. During final approach, reported wind was 340° at 15 knots, gusting to 27 knots. In the landing flare, the airplane encountered a “down forward forcing wind from the rear of the plane”, followed by a gust of wind from the left, before a go-around could be initiated. The airplane subsequently exited the runway, went over an embankment, and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wings and empennage. 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 while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

Fuel exhaustion: Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N64859, accident occurred on December 8, 2025, near DeLand Municipal Airport (DED/KDED), DeLand, Florida

• Location: DeLand, Florida 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA063 
• Date & Time: December 8, 2025, 14:00 Local 
• Registration: N64859 Aircraft: Cessna 172 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202129/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202129

During a cross-country instructional flight, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a road about 2 miles from the destination airport. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest upright, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. 

A recovery crew responded the same day and noted that both wing fuel tanks were intact but absent of fuel. An FAA inspector subsequently examined the wreckage at the recovery facility and found no fuel in the filter at the belly sump, which was the lowest point in the fuel system. 

The flight instructor later reported that fuel exhaustion was the likely cause of the accident. He stated that before departure, he relied on avionics, which indicated 21 gallons of fuel onboard rather than visually verifying the fuel quantity in the wing fuel tanks, and the avionics indication was likely inaccurate.

- Probable Cause: The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel quantity inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.