Cessna 340A, N340N, and Grumman American AA-1B Trainer, N9698L, incident occurred on July 17, 2026, at Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF/KSAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N340N

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9698L

- History of Flight:
On July 17, 2026, at about 1045 local time, a Cessna 340A, N340N, registered to N-Number Inc, and a privately-registered Grumman American AA-1B Trainer, N9698L, sustained unknown damage following a ground collision at Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF/KSAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger onboard each aircraft were not injured.

The FAA reported that the Cessna clipped the right wing of the AA-5 while attempting to avoid it after it experienced a possible brake failure during taxi. The FAA additionally reported that the AA-5 pilot was holding short when he reported that the Cessna taxiied by and clipped his wing.

Figure 1: AA-5 ADS-B data

Figure 2: Cessna ADS-B data

Schleicher ASW 27-18, N604DB, incident occurred on July 17, 2026, at Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TKF/KTRK), Truckee, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N604DB

- History of Flight:
On July 17, 2026, at about 1155 local time, a Schleicher ASW 27-18 glider, N604DB, registered to Glideplan Inc, sustained unknown damage when it was involved in an incident at Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TKF/KTRK), Truckee, California. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported that the glider was on departure when the tow rope broke during causing it to land on runway and strike runway lights.

NTSB Preliminary: Cessna 402C, N499CA, accident occurred on June 15, 2026, at Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC/KPVC), Provincetown, Massachusetts

• Location: Provincetown, MA 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA246 
• Date & Time: June 15, 2026, 08:10 Local 
• Registration: N499CA 
• Aircraft: Cessna 402
• Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Scheduled 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203236/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N499CA

On June 15, 2026, about 0810 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402C, N499CA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC), Provincetown, Massachusetts. The airplane transport pilot (pilot flying) and commercial pilot (pilot monitoring) were not injured, while one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14?Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, scheduled commuter flight.

The pilot flying (PF) stated that the reported weather at the destination airport of PVC prior to departure was 5 statute miles visibility and an overcast ceiling of 200 ft, while the forecast weather of a nearby airport indicated a visibility of 3 statute miles and an overcast ceiling of 300 ft. The departure and en route portions of the flight to PVC were uneventful. After leveling at 3,000 ft msl, the flight crew obtained the current weather for PVC, which included a wind from 190° at 8 knots, a visibility of 5 statute miles, and an overcast ceiling at 200 ft agl. Because of the ceiling, the PF chose to execute an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 07, which would have resulted in a tailwind component less than 3 knots, and was within the operator’s limitations. The flight was provided with radar vectored by air traffic control for the ILS runway 07 approach. The localizer and glideslope capture occurred at PHONY intersection while the airplane was flying at an altitude about 2,000 ft msl. At that time the airplane configured for landing with a flap setting of 15°. During the subsequent descent, the PF disconnected the autopilot and extended the flaps to 30° to further reduce airspeed, then extended the flaps to 45° once the airplane had reached about 600 ft. At decision height, he visually acquired the approach end of runway 07 and continued the landing approach.

The PF stated that during the visual portion of the landing approach, the airplane was slightly above the desired glide path and was drifting to left of the runway centerline. The PF reduced engine power earlier than usual, resulting in a rapid increase in descent rate, and the last airspeed he recalled observing was 100 knots.

The pilot monitoring (PM) reported that the PF seemed to, “over flare, causing us to float.” The airplane floated past the runway aiming point markings, then when approaching the mid-point of the 3,502-ft-long, wet runway, the PM called aloud for a go-around, but he was not sure if the PF heard him. The PF continued the landing, reporting the touchdown was farther along the runway than planned. After touchdown, the PF braked more aggressively than normal. As the airplane approached the departure end of the runway, the PF recognized that the airplane’s speed was still excessive, so he attempted to exit the runway via the taxiway off the left side of the runway at the end. The PM reported that he yelled “don’t” and within a second the PF corrected back. The airplane then departed the end of the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright in grass. After coming to a complete stop, the PF secured the airplane and initiated an emergency evacuation of the passenger. Airport and local emergency response personnel arrived shortly thereafter.

Van’s RV-4, N98GB, fatal accident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Sutter County Airport (O52), Yuba City, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N98GB

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at 0659 local time, a privately-registered Van’s RV-4, N98GB, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Sutter County Airport (O52), Yuba City, California. The private pilot was fatally injured.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane was first seen departing runway 17 when it climbed to 400 ft (and 78 knots groundspeed) when it entered a right 180 turn back to the airport. During the turn, the airplane decelerated to about 62 knots groundspeed, but at the same time, the descent rate was notably increasing, at one point reaching 1600 feet per minute (fpm). The airplane appears to have touched down in the grass between the runway and taxiway at about 80 knots GS before it overrun the surface into a fence.

Figure 1: Departure and top of climb

Figure 2: Return back to airport before overrun

The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances and went through an airport fence."

The pilot, aged 68, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 2/3/2026. The pilot also held a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate for the accident aircraft, which was issued on April 21, 1994.

The accident aircraft, serial number 1470, was manufactured in 1994. It was a kit supplied, two-place, all-metal, low-wing, single-engine, cantilever monoplane with tailwheel type landing gear. It was powered by a Lycoming 0-320 engine that drove a two bladed propeller.

The airplane came to rest upright on airport property and there was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe. The main landing gear and tailwheel remained attached to the bottom fuselage. The leading outer edges of both wings sustained impact damage. The vertical stabilizer was sheared off. The propeller hub and both propeller blade tips were impact damaged. It is unknown whether the canopy was removed by first responders or impact. The flaps appeared to be fully deployed. A portion of the right wing tip and vertical tail were located in the fence. The impact appears consistent with the airplane overunning the runway/airport surface and colliding with the fence head-on.

Figure 3: Airplane wreckage, note damage to both wing leading outer edges, propeller, vertical tail, canopy section, and deployed flaps.

Figure 4: Fence damage, note aircraft debris

Sutter County Airport is a non-towered public airport located 1 mile south of Yuba City, California. The airport field elevation is 59.6 ft. The airport features a single asphalt runway 17/35 that is 3045 x 75 ft.

A review of the environment surrounding the airport showed that there is a highway, river, and two open fields in the surrounding path after departure from runway 17.

Figure 5: Environment surrounding airport, note open fields, highway, and lake

- Weather:

The nearest weather observation facility, KBAB, reported the following conditions at 0655: Winds 110 at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 21°C, dewpoint 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury. Given an elevation of 112.9 (at KBAB), the calculated density altitude was 951 ft.

METAR KBAB 161355Z AUTO 11006KT 10SM CLR 21/09 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP100 T02120088 $ <<<<<

METAR KBAB 161455Z AUTO 19009KT 10SM CLR 23/08 A2983 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S SLP103 T02300075 52009 $

Dakota Cub AC-18, N84AJ, fatal accident occurred on July 16, 2026, near Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM/KPYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N84AJ

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 0738 local time, a Dakota Cub AC-18, N84AJ, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM/KPYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from Katama Airpark (1B2), Edgartown, Massachusetts, at 0701.

The pilot bought the airplane three weeks before the accident.

On the day of the accident, the pilot departed KPYM at 0632 on a short flight to Katama. The airplane stopped at the airpark for about 5 minutes before departing back to Plymouth.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane entered a climb to the north to an inflight cruising altitude of 1,300 ft. At about 0720, the airplane started a series of gradual descents from cruise. At 0733, the airplane was descending through 550 ft when it climbed to 925 ft. About 8 seconds after reaching that altitude, the airplane began a 1000 feet per minute (fpm) descent over the Curlew Pond. At 0738:12, the airplane was at ~1.20 miles from runway 33 at KPYM descending through 350 ft, 52 knots, and -1500 fpm when it entered a left turn. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 0738:24, the airplane was at 200 ft, 59 knots, -700 fpm.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange track of both flights ran through Flysto

Figure 2: Groundspeed values toward end of track

Figure 3: Last data point before crash, note runway 33 threshold

The airplane impacted the surface of the water about 70 ft from the shore and came to rest inverted. The pilot was trapped inside for about 20 minutes and later died from the injuries sustained.

One witness who was at the pond stated: "We heard the plane stall. We thought we'd hear the engine re-start, but we didn't. That's when we knew that somebody was in trouble. We expected to see it in the trees over there. I'm thinking he must have put down to try to at least keep it in the pond as having his best chance of coming out of it." Another witness heard the "engine cut out, sputter and cut out again and then a splash."

Some witnesses added that the airplane leaked fuel to the pond.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances into curlew pond."

The pilot, aged 81, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and sea ratings. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 6/27/2026.

The accident aircraft, serial number AC-18-001, was manufactured in 2016. It was a high-wing, two-seat, conventional landing gear single engine aircraft in tractor configuration. The airplane was powered by a 190 HP Lycoming IO-360 engine that drove a two-bladed composite propeller. The airplane was equipped with vortex generators. According to manufacturer's website, the stall speed (at 2,050 lbs) is 49 mph (42 knots).

According to a sale listing:

"2016 Experimental Dakota widebody Super Cub. IO-360 engine 190 HP with 374.2 TSO Whirl wind prop with TSN 374.2. Garmin G3X with Garmin autopilot. Garmin GTX200 Com. ADSB out. Garmin GTX23 transponder. VG's. 31" tires. T3 tail wheel suspension. Alaska bush tail wheel. 406 ELT. Omega suspension system. extended gear. Atlee Dodge long steps. Very nice Aircraft."

Figure: Cockpit from aircraft com sale listing

The airplane came to rest in the water and there was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe. The landing gear and tailwheel remained attached to the bottom of the fuselage. Little to no impact damage was noted on the airframe. The vertical stabilizer sustained some impact damage. The crash sequence appears consistent with the airplane impacting the surface of the water with little to no forward airspeed and flipping over.

Figure: Witnesses trying to flip the airplane to help pilot, photo was taken before airplane was pulled to the shore.

- Weather:

The 0752 METAR indicated winds 250 at 7 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 22 °C, dewpoint 15 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of mercury.

METAR KPYM 161052Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM CLR 19/14 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP114 T01940144 $

METAR KPYM 161152Z AUTO 25007KT 10SM CLR 22/15 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP113 T02220150 10222 20156 50004

Bell 206B JetRanger II, N297CA, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, near St. Joseph, Illinois

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N297CA

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1902 local time, a Bell 206B JetRanger II, N297CA, registered to the Helicopter Service of Illinois LLC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Joseph, Illinois. The pilot suffered serious injuries. The helicopter was being operated on a local aerial application flight.

The FAA reported that the helicopter struck a power line and came to rest in a ditch.

TAG Titanium Explorer, N498TE, accident occurred on July 16, 2026, at Cashmere-Dryden Airport (8S2), Cashmere, Washington

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N498TE

- History of Flight:
On July 16, 2026, at about 1021 local time, a Titanium Explorer, N498TE, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a hangar at Cashmere-Dryden Airport (8S2), Cashmere, Washington. The pilot suffered serious injuries.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft on take off, began to oscillate and veered off runway hitting the door of a hangar." 

Local police reported that the gyro was "was traveling on the runway before it veered off to one side and crashed into a hangar within. The aircraft reportedly never left the ground prior to its impact with the structure."

The pilot, aged 69, held an airline transport pilot certificate with type ratings in the Boeing 727, Boeing 757 and Boeing 767. His FAA BasicMed was dated 8/13/2025.

Runway 7/25 is asphalt in fair condition and 1800 x 50 ft.

- Weather:

METAR KELN 161653Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM FEW120 26/12 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP105 T02610122

METAR KELN 161753Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN110 28/11 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP100 T02830106 10283 20172 56012