Low altitude operation/event: Robinson R44 Clipper II, N916VK, accident occurred on January 29, 2026, near Sullivan, Missouri

 

• Location: Sullivan, Missouri 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA101 
• Date & Time: January 29, 2026, 13:00 Local 
• Registration: N916VK 
• Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II 
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed 
• Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event 
• Injuries: 2 Minor, 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202365/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202365

The pilot stated while conducting a wildlife survey the helicopter contacted and severed a powerline which resulted in the separation of the main rotor system at the rotor mast. The fuselage and tail boom came to rest inverted and submerged in a river. The pilot stated there were no issues with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.

Abrupt maneuver: Cessna 172P Skyhawk II, N51204, Purdue Aviation Inc, accident occurred on January 28, 2026, near Lafayette, Indiana

• Location: Lafayette, Indiana 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA106 
• Date & Time: January 28, 2026, 10:07 Local 
• Registration: N51204 
• Aircraft: Cessna 172 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Abrupt maneuver 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202383/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202383

The flight instructor and student departed on a local instructional flight which was the student pilot’s third flight lesson to practice maneuvers. During a power-off stall recovery, the student pilot excessively pitched the airplane down and added full throttle. The student pilot froze on the controls and before the flight instructor could gain control of the airplane, the airplane accelerated past the “never exceed” (Vne) airspeed. The flight instructor slowed the airplane below Vne and gently recovered the airplane out of the dive. Suspecting structural damage, the pilot declared an emergency and return back to the airport without further incident. A post flight examination found damage to both wings and vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that the accident could have been prevented with a “[m]ore complete briefing prior to completing any training maneuver” and “[p]roper preparedness to respond to incorrect/dangerous student actions.” The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student during a stall recovery that developed into unusual attitude and exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed airspeed which resulted in structural damage to the airplane.

Miscellaneous/other: Adams A55S, N4010K, accident occurred on January 30, 2026, near Durango, Colorado

• Location: Durango, Colorado 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA108 
• Date & Time: January 30, 2026, 09:30 Local 
• Registration: N4010K 
• Aircraft: Adams Balloon A55S 
• Aircraft Damage: None 
• Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202387/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202387

The pilot reported that the hot air ballon flight lasted about 45 minutes and covered a distance of about 1.2 miles at 1,000 ft above ground level. During landing, a person assisting with recovery of another balloon came over to assist with recovery of the accident balloon. She grabbed the edge of the basket upon initial contact with the ground in an attempt to stabilize the balloon. However, the basket subsequently lifted off the ground 4 to 5 ft before coming to a stop. As the balloon became airborne again, the person assisting lost her hold on the basket and fell to the ground. The person did not initially seek medical treatment, but later in the day, she was diagnosed with a broken leg. There was no damage to the balloon, nor were there any injuries to the pilot and two passengers onboard.

- Probable Cause: The ground crewmember’s failure to immediately let go of the balloon after it began an inadvertent climb while landing.

SkyStar Kitfox Lite Squared, N11446, accident occurred on March 27, 2026, at Lincoln Regional Airport/Karl Harder Field (LHM/KLHM), Lincoln, California

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=N11446

- History of Flight:
On March 27, 2026, at about 0922 local time, a privately-registered SkyStar Kitfox Lite Squared, N11446, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Lincoln Regional Airport/Karl Harder Field (LHM/KLHM), Lincoln, California. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated at 0918 LT.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft landed hard and front landing gear collapsed."

Robinson R66 Turbine, N4059A, accident occurred on March 27, 2026, at Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY/KGKY), Arlington, Texas

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=N4059A

- History of Flight:
On March 27, 2026, at about 1015 local time, a Robinson R66 Turbine, N4059A, registered to Griffin Ranch LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY/KGKY), Arlington, Texas. The two pilots were not injured.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft tail struck the ground during hover taxi for departure."

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N3484M, accident occurred on March 28, 2026, at Shady Acres Airport (3B8), Spanaway, Washington

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=N3484M

- History of Flight:
On March 28, 2026, at about 1555 local time, a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N3484M, registered to Niner One Aviation LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Shady Acres Airport (3B8), Spanaway, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Pierce County-Thun Field (PLU/KPLU), Puyallup, Washington, at 1547 LT.

The FAA reported that the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on landing.

At 1555 LT, the winds were from 280° at 6 knots.

The airport features a single asphalt runway 16/34 which is 1800 x 20 ft.

On July 30, 2021, the same airplane nosed over on landing at Prineville Airport (S39), Prineville, Oregon.

Cessna 170B, N3184B, accident occurred on March 27, 2026, at Bessemer Airport (EKY/KEKY), Bessemer, Alabama

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=N3184B

Video from James Spann, Facebook

- History of Flight:
On March 27, 2026, at about 1622 local, a privately-registered Cessna 170B, N3184B, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Bessemer Airport (EKY/KEKY), Bessemer, Alabama. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from KEKY at 1611 LT.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft overran the runway and struck a tree resulting in damage to the left wing." ADS-B data history show that the airplane had conducted several flights in the past month which involved flying around the pattern and conducting touch-and-go maneuvers.

Runway 5/23 is asphalt/grooved in good condition and 6007 x 100 ft.