Turbulence encounter: McDonnell Douglas MD-83, N805WA, accident occurred on August 23, 2025, near Miami, Florida

• Location: Miami, Florida 
• Accident Number: DCA25LA312 
• Date & Time: August 23, 2025, 13:40 Local 
• Registration: N805WA 
• Aircraft: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 83 
• Aircraft Damage: None 
• Defining Event: Turbulence encounter 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 20 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Non-scheduled

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200930/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200930

World Atlantic Airlines flight 261, from Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU), Santa Clara, Cuba, encountered turbulence during descent into Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Florida. As a result, one flight attendant (FA) sustained a serious injury. 

According to the captain, they were descending through 12,000 ft when they observed an isolated cloud formation and requested a deviation from air traffic control (ATC). While maneuvering between clouds, the airplane encountered about two seconds of severe turbulence. At the time of the encounter, the fasten seat belt sign was illuminated. 

After the turbulence encounter, the flight crew contacted the senior FA and were initially informed that there were no injuries and the cabin was normal. Shortly after, the senior FA called the flight crew to advise that one of the FAs had fallen during the turbulence and was experiencing dizziness. The flight continued to MIA and landed without incident. 

While taxiing to the gate, the senior FA contacted the flight crew and reported that the injured FA was experiencing pain on her right side. The flight crew requested paramedics to meet the flight at the gate. The injured FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion and rib contusion. The FA was hospitalized for four days before being released. 

According to the injured FA, she was seated near the galley when the fasten seat belt sign was illuminated. She was attempting to fasten her seat belt when the airplane encountered turbulence. She stated that she felt a heavy impact and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, her colleagues were there and she felt pain on her right side.

After the accident, World Atlantic Airlines issued a safety bulletin to all inflight personnel that emphasized the importance of adherence to procedures when encountering severe turbulence, including briefings on expected turbulence during arrival and descent.

- Probable Cause: An encounter with convective turbulence during descent that resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.

Turbulence encounter: Boeing 737-7H4 (WL), N919WN, accident occurred on September 12, 2025, near Port Orange, Florida

• Location: Port Orange, Florida 
• Accident Number: DCA25LA323 
• Date & Time: September 12, 2025, 13:45 Local 
• Registration: N919WN 
• Aircraft: Boeing 737-7H4 
• Aircraft Damage: None 
• Defining Event: Turbulence encounter 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 134 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201001/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201001

Southwest Airlines flight 4515, operating between Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland, and Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, Florida, encountered moderate turbulence while in descent to MCO. One flight attendant sustained a serious injury and one sustained a minor injury during the turbulence encounter. The aircraft continued to MCO and landed without further incident. 

The captain served as the flying pilot and the first officer as the pilot monitoring for the entire flight. Prior to the flight, the crew reviewed the dispatch release and weather forecasts, which indicated areas of isolated rain showers storms to the east of the intended route. The flight crew stated that the takeoff, climb and cruise were normal, with occasional light turbulence. The flight crew stated that they had turned on the seatbelt sign earlier in the flight, and kept it illuminated as they began the descent into MCO. The first officer stated he had WSI Pilotbrief weather radar and SkyPath active on his electronic flight bag (EFB) and did not notice any turbulence being depicted for the descent to the airport. Air traffic control (ATC) indicated that there was rain on the arrival route, and recent pilot reports (PIREPs) indicated rides were smooth. 

The captain instructed the flight attendants to ready the cabin for arrival as the aircraft descended through flight level 190. As the flight continued the approach, air traffic control provided vectors to steer the flight clear of showers that were developing ahead. At about 14,000 feet, while passing through a cloud layer, the airplane encountered turbulence that lasted for approximately 11 seconds. Flight data recorder data indicated a maximum vertical acceleration of 2.30 g followed by a minimum of 0.59 g about 1.1 seconds later. During that same time, lateral acceleration also varied between -0.09 g to 0.14 g. The autopilot remained engaged during the entire event.

A National Weather Service convective Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) was valid for the time of the event for areas east of the intended route. Tracking data and weather radar showed the flight traversed to the west of the SIGMET area, and the turbulence encounter occurred as the flight entered an area of precipitation that had a radar indicated echo top of 25,000 feet. There were no PIREPs of any turbulence in the immediate area at the time of the encounter. A PIREP of moderate turbulence near the encounter location was reported over an hour prior to the event, and light turbulence PIREPs in the area within an hour of the encounter were at altitudes above and below the altitude of the accident flight. 

At the time of the turbulence encounter the flight attendants (FA) were cleaning and preparing the cabin for landing. Two FAs were thrown into the air and then onto the floor. The FA in the aft galley sustained a serious injury to her ankle and the other FA was in the aisle and injured her hip. Emergency personnel met the airplane at the gate and transported both FAs to the hospital. One FA was treated and released and the other diagnosed with a fracture and dislocation of her right ankle.

- Probable Cause: An encounter with convective turbulence during descent, which resulted in serious injuries to a flight attendant.

Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, N726EA, incident occurred on June 4, 2026, at Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR/KDXR), Danbury, Connecticut

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=N726EA

- History of Flight:
On June 4, 2026, at about 1020 local time, a privately-registered Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, N726EA, sustained unknown damage when it was involved in a runway overrun at Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR/KDXR), Danbury, Connecticut. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft attempting to depart, lost lift and went off the end of the runway and through a fence." It appears the airplane was departing runway 35. 

The airport features two runways, runway 8/26 (4421 x 150 ft) and runway 17/35 (3135 x 100 ft). The airport field elevation is 456.7 ft.

At 0953, the KDXR METAR indicated winds 080 at 4 knots, temperature 24 °C, dewpoint 11 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 1373 ft.

It appears that the left wing sustained substantial damage.

Figure 1: Front view of airplane

- Weather:

METAR KDXR 041353Z 08004KT 10SM CLR 24/11 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP215 T02440111

METAR KDXR 041453Z VRB05KT 10SM CLR 26/09 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP211 T02560094 58008

Guimbal Cabri G2, N371PA, incident occurred on June 4, 2026, near Burlington International Airport (BTV/KBTV), Burlington, Vermont

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=N371PA

- History of Flight:
On June 4, 2026, at about 1600 local time, a Guimbal Cabri G2, N371PA, registered to Beta Fleet LLC, sustained unknown damage when it experienced engine issues while practicing an auto-rotation near KBTV. The helicopter returned to the airport and a post flight inspection revealed damage to rotor blade. There were no injuries. The local training flight originated from KBTV at 1532.

On May 9, 2025, the same helicopter was involved in a forced landing without damage/injuries in a field near Williston, Vermont.

- Weather:

METAR KBTV 041854Z VRB05KT 10SM FEW160 BKN200 29/07 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP160 T02940067

METAR KBTV 041954Z 26008KT 10SM BKN200 31/04 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 T03060044

Piper PA-44-180 Seminole, N787AU, incident occurred on June 4, 2026, at Harris County Airport (PIM/KPIM), Pine Mountain, Georgia

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=N787AU

- History of Flight:
On June 4, 2026, at about 1220 local time, a Piper PA-44-180 Seminole, N787AU, registered to and being operated by Auburn University, sustained minor damage when it veered off the runway while simulating an aborted takeoff and struck a runway light at Harris County Airport (PIM/KPIM), Pine Mountain, Georgia. The student pilot and instructor were not injured. The training flight originated from the Auburn University Regional Airport (AUO/KAOU), Auburn, Alabama, at 0943.

At 1215 the winds were from 090° at 7 knots gusting 14 knots. 

- Weather:

METAR KPIM 041615Z AUTO 09007G14KT 070V130 10SM CLR 25/09 A3026 RMK AO2

METAR KPIM 041635Z AUTO 14007KT 110V170 10SM CLR 25/09 A3025 RMK AO2

Beechcraft 58 Baron, N712JZ, incident occurred on June 4, 2026, at Livingston Municipal Airport (8A3), Livingston, Tennessee

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=N712JZ

- History of Flight:
On June 4, 2026, at about 1000 local time, a Beechcraft 58 Baron, N712JZ, registered to Heffley Brothers Flying Circus LLC, sustained unknown damage when it suffered a nose gear collapse upon landing at Livingston Municipal Airport (8A3), Livingston, Tennessee. The pilot was not injured. The cross-country flight originated from Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW/KFTW), Fort Worth, Texas, at 0623.

- Weather:

METAR KSRB 041455Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM CLR 24/15 A3028 RMK AO2

METAR KSRB 041515Z AUTO 20006KT 10SM CLR 25/13 A3028 RMK AO2

Bell 47G-2, N88755, accident occurred on June 1, 2026, near Wheeler Ridge, 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=N88755

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203108/pdf

- History of Flight:
On June a, 2026, at about 1630 local time, a Bell 47G-2, N88755, registered to Old Time Ag Aviation LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Wheeler Ridge, California. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was being operated on a local Part 137 agricultural flight.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft landed on a loading truck, pilot started takeoff with the nose still connected and crashed in the field." The NTSB is investigating.