Politechnika Warszawska PW-5 Smyk, N105WS, fatal accident occurred on August 6, 2026, near Briggs, Texas

• Location: Briggs, TX
• Accident Number: CEN26LA282
• Date & Time: August 6, 2026, 15:38 Local
• Registration: N105WS
• Aircraft: PZL-BIELSKO B1-PW-5
• Injuries: 1 Fatal
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203557/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N105WS 

On August 6, 2026, about 1538 central daylight time, a PZL-Bielsko B1-PW-5 glider, N105WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Briggs, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The glider was departing on an auto-tow launch at the time of the accident. According to witness statements, the glider achieved level flight at about 1,000 ft before release from the towline. Following the release, the glider yawed to the right and entered a descending spiral, completing about 7 to 8 rotations before impacting terrain west of the glider port. Witnesses reported that the glider impacted the ground in a near-vertical attitude. 

The cockpit and forward fuselage were crushed aft during the impact. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage. The tail section and vertical stabilizer were partially separated, with the aft 4 ft of the tail boom folded over the aft fuselage. 

The glider was retained for further examination.

Aviat A-1B Husky, N299CA, accident occurred on August 17, 2026, near Pilot Grove, Minnesota

• Location: Pilot Grove, MN 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA295 
• Date & Time: August 17, 2026, 14:46 Local 
• Registration: N299CA 
• Aircraft: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B 
• Injuries: 2 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203613/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N299CA

On August 17, 2026, about 1446 central daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B airplane, N299CA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pilot Grove, Minnesota. The two pilots received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial photography flight. 

The pilot in the rear seat stated they were conducting an aerial photography flight and had flown for about 5 ½ hours that day. During the flight, the front seat pilot was manipulating the flight controls and noted that the airplane was not responding normally. They observed that the left aileron had partially detached from the wing and the outboard end was hanging down. The front seat pilot executed an emergency landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. 

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left outboard aileron hinge bracket was fractured. The airplane was retained for further examination. 

A review of NTSB records revealed that the airplane was involved in a similar accident in 2017 involving an inflight failure of the left outboard aileron hinge bracket assembly. 

Robinson R44 Raven II, N26KL, accident occurred on August 2, 2026, near Bennett, Iowa

• Location: Bennett, IA 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA276 
• Date & Time: August 2, 2026, 13:18 Local 
• Registration: N26KL 
• Aircraft: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203517/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N26KL

On August 2, 2026, about 1318 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N26KL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bennett, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight.

The pilot reported that as the helicopter passed over a tree line he felt a vibration in the airframe and when the vibration increased he decided to perform an autorotation into the next field. According to the pilot, the helicopter descended rapidly from about 20 ft above the ground which resulted in a hard landing.

A witness to the accident reported hearing an “awful” noise before the helicopter passed over a tree. The witness stated that as the helicopter descended the main rotor blades almost stopped rotating when the helicopter was about 10 to 15 ft above the ground, and then the helicopter dropped vertically into the field.

The airframe and tailboom sustained substantial damage during the hard landing.

The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility pending an examination.