Van’s RV-9, N696WG, accident occurred on June 23, 2025, near Morgan Hill, California

• Location: Morgan Hill, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA188 
• Date & Time: June 23, 2025, 12:17 Local 
• Registration: N696WG 
• Aircraft: FILBY GERRY RV-9 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N696WG

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200384/pdf

On June 23, 2025, about 1217 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-9 airplane, N696WG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Morgan Hill, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that about 4,500 ft mean sea level, the airplane’s engine made a pronounced sound for about 2 seconds, and then both the oil pressure and fuel pressure rapidly decreased to zero. The engine initially continued to operate, but shortly afterwards lost all power. Unable to make it to an airport, the pilot made a forced landing on an open field. During the landing sequence, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid a sports track, and one of its wheels struck a berm which resulted in substantial damage to the wings.

The airplane was recovered and retained at a secure facility for further examination. 

Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, N3609Z, accident occurred on June 30, 2025, near Chinitna Bay, Alaska

• Location: Chinitna Bay, AK 
• Accident Number: ANC25LA060 
• Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 16:30 Local 
• Registration: N3609Z 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-22-150 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N3609Z

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200440/pdf

On June 30, 2025, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA 22-150 airplane, N3609Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chinitna Bay, Alaska. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that, while en route he heard two or three loud “thuds” followed by reduced rudder control. He said that the airplane began to yaw back and forth and increased when he added engine power. The pilot made the decision to perform a precautionary landing on a remote beach. During the landing the right wheel touched down first, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot said that he had no rudder control and attempted to correct with left aileron to no avail, subsequently the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, lift struts and rudder.

Examination of the airframe is pending the recovery of the wreckage. 

Rans S-14 Airaile, N981CS, fatal accident occurred on June 30, 2025, near Guthrie, Oklahoma

Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

• Location: Guthrie, OK 
• Accident Number: CEN25LA229 
• Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 20:54 Local 
• Registration: N981CS 
• Aircraft: RANS S-14 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N981CS

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200436/pdf

On June 30, 2025, about 2054 central daylight time, a Rans S-14 airplane, N981CS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Guthrie, Oklahoma. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was  operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A witness reported that he told the non-certificated pilot that he was not allowed to fly the airplane and that he was only supposed to taxi the airplane. About 2015 the non-certificated pilot began to practice taxiing the airplane on the private airstrip. The witnesses stated that about 39 minutes had passed, and he no longer heard the airplane.

Witnesses and several others began to search for the airplane; subsequently it was found crashed in a field about 1/2 mile west of the private airstrip with the engine still idling.

The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Landing gear collapse: Velocity 173 Elite RG, N160MH, accident occurred on January 5, 2025, at Norfolk International Airport (ORF/KORF), Norfolk, Virginia

• Location: Norfolk, Virginia 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA090 
• Date & Time: January 5, 2025, 15:26 Local 
• Registration: N160MH 
• Aircraft: HINSON MELVIN J VELOCITY 
• 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/199507/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199507

At the conclusion of an uneventful cross-country flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport and extended the airplane’s landing gear. He then observed a normal “down and locked” indication on the airplane’s avionics and continued the landing approach. The pilot described that the wind was coming from the right during the approach, with a reported velocity of about 6 knots, gusting to 18 knots. Shortly after touching down on the runway, the pilot described that there was an abnormal vibration, after which he lost directional control of the airplane. He responded by applying full rudder and brake in an attempt to counter the crosswind. The airplane continued in an uncontrolled slide and drifted left until it came to rest at the left edge of the runway. The airplane’s main landing gear collapsed during the accident sequence and the lower aft and left side of the fuselage were substantially damaged. Additionally, the nose landing gear’s wheel separated at the fork during the accident sequence. Postaccident examination of the landing gear extension/retraction system revealed that it operated normally. 

- Probable Cause: A landing gear collapse during landing in gusty crosswind conditions.

Wildlife encounter (non-bird): Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N885GT, accident occurred on December 11, 2024, at Jackson County Airport (JCA/KJCA), Jefferson, Georgia

• Location: Jefferson, Georgia 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA078 
• Date & Time: December 11, 2024, 20:00 Local 
• Registration: N885GT 
• Aircraft: Cessna 172 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Wildlife encounter (non-bird) 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199429/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199429

The flight instructor stated that after completion of a night practice instrument approach, they continued to the runway to perform a touch-and-go landing. As the main landing gear touched down on the runway, three deer ran in front of the airplane. The flight crew aborted the landing and then heard a loud “bang” when the airplane’s nose landing gear struck one of the deer as the airplane ascended. The underside of the fuselage was substantially damaged as a result of the collision. The pilot continued the departure, notified air traffic control, and landed at an alternate airport without further incident. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The airplane’s collision with a deer on the runway during landing.

Loss of control on ground: Aviat A-1B Husky, N79HY, accident occurred on October 11, 2024, at Cheat River Island Airport (56WV), Rowlesburg, Rowlesburg, West Virginia

• Location: Rowlesburg, West Virginia
• Accident Number: ERA25LA015 
• Date & Time: October 11, 2024, 18:40 Local 
• Registration: N79HY 
• Aircraft: Aviat A1 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195314/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195314

The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg and turned onto the base and final legs for runway 31 with wind from 260° at 5 knots. A witness observed and the pilot reported a normal landing, with the airplane touching down an estimated 300 to 400 ft down the runway. The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane bounced about 3 ft then touched back down and then, with no brakes applied, the airplane began veering to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and right brake but the veer to the left continued and the airplane impacted trees on the left side of the runway. The pilot informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector that he had not noticed any tendencies for the airplane to pull left during landings on previous flights.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. A check of the flight controls revealed they appeared to be intact and functioning properly. A check of the brakes was performed with no discrepancies noted. A detailed examination of the tail wheel assembly, which was installed in accordance with a supplemental type certificate, revealed it was installed in accordance with the installation requirements, with proper left and right steering springs installed and tensioned. A discrepancy with the tailwheel leaf spring not being centered was noted, but the airplane manufacturer representative reported to the FAA inspector that condition would have negligible effect on taxi operations.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the on-ground collision with trees.

Loss of control on ground: Cub Crafters CC19-180 XCub, N508XC, accident occurred on May 3, 2025, at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF/KMYF), San Diego, California

• Location: San Diego, California 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA150 
• Date & Time: May 3, 2025, 15:45 Local 
• Registration: N508XC 
• Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS INC CC19-180 
• 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/200124/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200124

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing roll, as he transitioned to taxiing, he mistakenly applied the incorrect crosswind correction. The airplane ground looped to the left and the right wing impacted the runway surface, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 28R with the wind from 230° at 8 knots. 

- Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.