Howard DGA-6 Replica "Mister Mulligan", N273Y, incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL/KLAL), Sanford, Florida

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=N273Y

- History of Flight:
On April 15, 2026, at about 0830 local time, a Howard DGA-6 replica, N273Y, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an incident during the Sun 'n Fun 2026 event at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL/KLAL), Sanford, Florida. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft engine cowling partially detached which damaged the prop."

Figure 1: 1-2 seconds before event (screenshot from the Daily Sun 'n Fun Airshow Highlights! - Wednesday - Sun 'n Fun 2026 video https://youtu.be/eUI2GRJABb8?)

Figure 2: After event

Icon A5, N558BA, accident occurred on April 15, 2026, near San Juan, Puerto Rico

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=N558BA

- History of Flight:
On April 15, 2026, at about 1024 local time, an Icon A5, N558BA, registered to Icon A5 172 LLC, sustained substantial damage it was involved in an accident near San Juan, Puerto Rico. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (TJIG).

The FAA reported: "Aircraft experienced engine issues and landed hard on the water." ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at ~1,000 ft when it entered a descending left hand turn into the shore.

Post-accident review of an online-photographs revealed that all three propeller blades remained attached to the hub and were straight and undamaged. There was evidence of oil leak on the inner rear wings and area under the engine (see figure 1).

Figure 1: Engine

Figure 1: ADS-B Data

Cessna 182T Skylane, N821WT, incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT/KVGT), Las Vegas, Nevada

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=N821WT

- History of Flight:
On April 15, 2026, at about 1204 local time, a Cessna 182T Skylane, N821WT, registered to Crosswinds Air LLC, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an incident at the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT/KVGT), Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Safford Airport (SAD/KSAD), Safford, Arizona, at 1001 LT, and was destined to KVGT.

The FAA reported; "Aircraft landed and encountered a gust of wind veering through the milling area and taxiway." ADS-B data shows that the airplane was landing on runway 12R when it veered off the right side.

At the time, the winds were from 150 at 10 knots, gusting 16 knots.

Figure 1: ADS-B data

- Weather:

METAR KVGT 152053Z 16015G23KT 10SM CLR 26/M08 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02611078 58025

METAR KVGT 151953Z 15010G16KT 10SM CLR 24/M05 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP147 T02441050

Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N7207Q, incident occurred on April 15, 2026, near Helena, 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=N7207Q

- History of Flight:
On April 15, 2026, at about 0907 local time, a Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N7207Q, sustained minor damage following a forced landing near Helena, Montana. The sole pilot onboard was not injured. The local training flight originated from Helena Airport (HLN/KHLN), Helena, Montana, at 0837 LT.

The FAA reported that the airplane experienced engine issues and landed in a field. ADS-B data shows that the airplane was conducting touch-and-go(es) at the airport when it entered a climbing right turn from runway 27. The airplane ceased climbing at about 4,400 ft and and headed towards an open field north of the airport (see figure).

Figure 1: ADS-B data

Hughes 369D (500D), N715KV, fatal accident occurred on March 26, 2026, near Haena, Hawaii

• Location: Haena, HI 
• Accident Number: WPR26FA141 
• Date & Time: March 26, 2026, 15:39 Local 
• Registration: N715KV 
• Aircraft: Hughes 369D 
• Injuries: 3 Fatal, 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202704/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N715KV

On March 26, 2026, about 1539 Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N715KV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Haena, Hawaii. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and three passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 revenue sightseeing flight.

The helicopter departed Lihue Airport (LIH), Lihue, Hawaii, about 1512 for a local sightseeing tour. It was scheduled for the sixth and final flight of the day. The flight was uneventful until it reached the northern shore of the island, near Haena about 20 miles northeast of LIH.

According to the pilot, upon reaching Kalalau beach, he accomplished a left turn away from the shoreline as part of the normal flight profile. Upon entering the turn, the pilot experienced a high frequency vibration throughout the helicopter that came in waves and became stronger each time. Subsequently, the helicopter started an un-commanded right yaw that could not be corrected with input from the left anti-torque pedal. The helicopter quickly began to rotate clockwise, completing about 2 rotations, and the pilot entered the helicopter into an autorotation. He rolled the throttle to idle and attempted to increase the airspeed for better directional control.

The pilot noted that the spinning had stopped during the autorotation and he made a mayday radio call. Unable to make the beach, the helicopter impacted the water and rolled onto its right side about 75 yards from the shoreline and shortly afterwards became partially submerged.

A witness, who was flying near the accident site, observed the helicopter impact the water. The helicopter came to rest upright and tilted slightly to the right, facing towards the east. Another witness reported that the helicopter appeared to be intact before it impacted the water and broke up. The surviving passenger on the flight said that she heard a change in the sound and the helicopter slowed down. She then observed the helicopter rotating towards the water. Subsequently, the helicopter nosedived into the water.

Postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter’s fuselage and main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility and retained for further examination. 

Robinson R44 Raven II, N233JD, accident occurred on March 24, 2026, near Stonewall, Texas

• Location: Stonewall, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA148 
• Date & Time: March 24, 2026, 09:30 Local 
• Registration: N233JD 
• Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202700/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N233JD

On March 24, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N233JD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stonewall, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.

According to the pilot, she conducted a normal preflight inspection of the helicopter and found no anomalies. She stated that the purpose of the flight was to use the helicopter to flush wildlife into an open pasture for observation. While in a hover, about 15 to 30 ft above the tree line, she heard a loud “pop” and felt the helicopter jerk. The helicopter immediately entered an uncontrolled descent into terrain. The pilot reported that the helicopter would not respond to inputs made with the anti-torque pedals.

The pilot, passenger, and a witness reported hearing a loud “pop” from the helicopter before the sound of the engine went quiet. According to the passenger, the helicopter shook violently after the “pop” was heard and then rotated rapidly in a clockwise direction.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor system, the tailboom, and the tail rotor system. The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N2882W, fatal accident occurred on March 22, 2026, near Olympic Valley, California

Photo courtesy of the Juan Browne "blancolirio" channel.

• Location: Olympic Valley, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26FA130 
• Date & Time: March 22, 2026, 17:16 Local 
• Registration: N2882W 
• Aircraft: Beech A36 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202675/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2882W

On March 22, 2026, at 1716 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N2882W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Olympic Valley, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.

According to the ADS-B data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), Monterey, California, at 1411 and was destined for the Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK), Truckee, California. Recorded communication indicated that when the airplane was about 12 miles southwest of the accident site, the pilot contacted the TRK air traffic control tower local controller (LC) that he was inbound for landing. The pilot subsequently reported a turbocharger problem, and he didn’t think he would make it to the airport. Recorded ADS-B data ended at an altitude of about 7,382 ft, about 13 miles southwest of TRK and no further radio transmissions were heard from the pilot.

An Apple iPhone crash detection alert was received by local law enforcement in the accident area. The accident site was subsequently located by a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, in the Granite Chief Wilderness area along the shoreline of a lake about 1-1/2 miles northeast of the last recorded ADS-B data point.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude partially submerged near the shore in a subalpine lake in an area known as the Five Lakes at an altitude of 7,500 ft mean sea level (msl) on a magnetic heading of 225°. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was the top of a pine tree about 150 ft southwest of the main wreckage. About 75 ft from the FIPC was the right wing, which had struck a tree near the base and separated from the airplane. There was a postcrash fire centralized at the right wing and tree. The engine, including the propeller assembly, separated from the airplane and was mostly submerged in the lake. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.