Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, N9913W, fatal accident occurred on March 20, 2026, near Whiteside County Airport (SQI/KSQI), Sterling, Illinois

 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=N9913W

- History of Flight:
On March 20, 2026 at about 1500 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee was destroyed when it impacted open field terrain south of Whiteside County Airport (SQI/KSQI), Sterling, Illinois. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries.

The post will be updated later when more information is released.

- Pilot Information:
No

- Airplane Information:
No

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
No

- Airport Information:
No

- Weather:
The reported weather at KSQI at 1456 LT, included: Winds 310 at 14 knots, gusting 22 knots, 10 mile visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 24 °C, dewpoint 7 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury.

(1) METARs:

METAR KSQI 201956Z AUTO 31014G22KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP096 T02390072 $

METAR KSQI 202056Z AUTO 30012G17KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP097 T02390067 55000 $

Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, N229TT, accident occurred on February 9, 2026, in Gainesville, Georgia

• Location: Gainesville, GA 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA109 
• Date & Time: February 9, 2026, 17:32 Local 
• Registration: N229TT 
• Aircraft: HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 
• Injuries: 2 Minor, 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202414/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N229TT

On February 09, 2026, about 1732 eastern standard time, a Beechcraft G36, N229TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot and flight instructor were uninjured, and two occupants of separate automobiles received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to build flight hours with a flight instructor to satisfy insurance requirements for single-pilot operations. Preliminary ADS-B data showed that after departing from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia, the airplane flew north about 115 miles and performed an approach to the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, Tennessee. Shortly after departing DKX, the airplane flew about 90 miles east and landed at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), Blountville, Tennessee. The airplane then departed TRI and returned to GVL. Shortly after arriving at GVL, the airplane departed again and flew northwest for about 4 miles. The airplane then made a 180° left turn and proceeded back toward GVL. After flying for about 2 miles, the airplane made another left turn and lined up with Browns Ridge Rd. The last preliminary data point showed the airplane flying just above Browns Bridge Rd.

The pilot and flight instructor reported that the previous legs of the flight were uneventful and the airplane operated normally. The flight instructor reported that the second takeoff and departure from GVL was normal; however, during the climb to their cruise altitude, the engine rpm gauge indicated over 3,400 rpm (the maximum rpm of the engine was 2,700 rpm). The engine rpm subsequently fluctuated between 1,600 and 3,400, and the engine ran rough and sputtered. They initiated a return to GVN, but determined they would be unable to reach the runway, and elected to perform a forced landing to Browns Bridge Rd. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted 3 automobiles. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed it had sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior, N85RW, accident occurred on February 24, 2026, near Arno, Tennessee

• Location: Arno, TN 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA127 
• Date & Time: February 24, 2026, 11:07 Local 
• Registration: N85RW 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-28-151 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202497/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N85RW

On February 24, 2026, about 1107 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N85RW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Arno, Tennessee. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the cross-country flight was to build experience in preparation for his commercial pilot’s certificate. During the preflight inspection, he visually confirmed the fuel level was “to the tabs” in the fuel tanks, which equated to 40 gallons of fuel and noted that the electronic fuel gauges indicated the same quantity. After completing the before takeoff checks, he departed for Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Preliminary ADS-B data obtained from the FAA showed the airplane departed about 0827, climbed to a cruising altitude of 4,200 ft, then descended and landed at Jackson Regional Airport (MKL), Jackson, Tennessee, about 1005.

The pilot stated that after landing, he taxied back to the active runway, without shutting down the airplane, for the return flight to MBT. The pilot estimated that about 10-15 gallons of fuel remained in each of the two wing tanks before departure. He completed his takeoff checklist and departed for MKL. ADS-B data showed that after departure at 1013, the airplane climbed on a southwesterly heading to a cruising altitude of about 7,000 ft, where it remained for 35 minutes. The pilot reported about 36 minutes before arrival at his destination, he felt the airplane’s “controls vibrating.” The pilot suspected carburetor ice and applied carburetor heat. He subsequently noticed the engine sputtering and the engine gauges “going back and forth.” He observed the fuel gauges for each wing tank indicate from 0 to 10 gallons, then back to 0. He also reported that the engine oil temperature and pressure gauges began to decrease, followed by total loss of engine power. He turned on the electric fuel pump and rotated the fuel selector from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank. The engine restarted but then lost all power about a minute later. He returned the fuel selector to the left tank, but the engine did not restart.

The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. Unable to reach a nearby airport, he selected a field for an off-airport landing. The last ADS-B data point at 1107 showed the airplane, at 825 ft above mean sea level (msl) and descending at 896 ft per minute. The airplane impacted trees at the edge of a field and came to a rest on the edge of a hill.

A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and wings. The wings separated from the fuselage at the wing roots and remained partially suspended in trees. Both wings sustained leading edge damage, scrapes, multiple punctures, broken fuel lines and were absent of fuel. The engine oil level gauge revealed about 4 quarts of oil in the engine at the time of recovery. The fuel strainer was observed displaced aft, consistent with impact damage, and found absent of fuel.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III, N360DT, accident occurred on August 22, 2025, at Picayune Municipal Airport (MJD/KMJD), Picayune, Mississippi

• Location: Picayune, MS 
• Accident Number: CEN25LA408 
• Date & Time: August 22, 2025, 11:30 Local 
• Registration: N17TL 
• Aircraft: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206L-3 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202581/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N360DT

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N17TL

On August 22, 2025, about 1130 central daylight time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-3 helicopter, N17TL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Picayune, Mississippi. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The purpose of the flight was to inspect a hangar being built for the operator at the Picayune Municipal Airport in Picacyune, Mississippi. The pilot stated that he does a few practice maneuvers during each flight and on this flight, he was practicing a “quick stop” simulated emergency procedure. At the conclusion of the maneuver, while the pilot was pulling up on the collective to recover, he heard the low rotor RPM warning horn sound. The pilot verified that the throttle control was at full RPM; however, he noticed that the helicopter was no longer responding to the collective control. The pilot chose to immediately enter an autorotation from about 50 ft and when the helicopter contacted the taxiway, the left skid collapsed, the helicopter skidded about 15 ft, and came to a stop upright which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom.

The accident was not reported to the NTSB until February 26, 2026. During the intervening period, the helicopter was sold for salvage by the accident owner’s insurance company, and the airframe was disassembled for repair by the new owner. Due to the current disposition of the airframe, examination is not feasible.

The accident was not known to the FAA until the new owner attempted to register the helicopter with the FAA in January 2026. At the time of notification, only the Rolls-Royce 250-C30P turboshaft engine was able to be secured for further examination. The disposition of the turboshaft engine between the accident and its recovery for further examination could not be determined. The engine will be examined at a future date. 

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee B, N98360, accident occurred on March 8, 2026, near Goose Creek Airport (28A), Indian Trail, North Carolina

• Location: Indian Trail, NC 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA144 
• Date & Time: March 8, 2026, 11:00 Local 
• Registration: N98360 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-28-140 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202622/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N98360

On March 8, 2026, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N98360, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane had a total of 24 gallons of fuel onboard. After completing the preflight inspection, which included checking that fuel samples taken from the tank drains were absent of contaminants, they taxied to the runway for departure. The before takeoff checks were completed with no anomalies noted. The pilot conducted a short field takeoff and established an initial climb. About 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine “cut out”. The pilot reported multiple engine power fluctuations and was unable to maintain lift. He attempted a forced landing in a field, but the airplane’s left wing struck a tree about 30 ft agl, which separated the wing from the fuselage, and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector found that the fuel selector was selected to the right wing fuel tank, which contained several gallons of fuel. A fuel sample was taken from the fuel tank drain and was absent of water or debris. The engine did not exhibit any external signatures of a catastrophic engine failure and contained 5 quarts of oil.

According to the operator of the airplane, the engine had accumulated about 2,200 hours since it was overhauled in 2016. The most recent annual inspection of the airframe and engine was completed on December 23, 2025, and no major engine repairs were performed thereafter.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Stinson 108-3 Voyager, N6725M, accident occurred on January 11, 2026, near Gypsum, Colorado

• Location: Gypsum, CO
• Accident Number: CEN26LA087
• Date & Time: January 11, 2026, 14:08 Local
• Registration: N6725M
• Aircraft: Stinson 108-3
• Injuries: 1 Minor
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202283/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N6725M

On January 11, 2026, at 1408 mountain standard time, a Stinson 108-3 airplane, N6725M, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Gypsum, Colorado. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, before the flight the airplane’s fuel system contained about 17 gallons that was evenly distributed between the left and right fuel tanks. He intended to takeoff and conduct a full stop landing at the unnamed private airstrip before continuing to Mc Elroy Airfield (20V), Kremling, Colorado.

The pilot reported that the takeoff was to the southeast and he flew a teardrop pattern to return to land toward the northwest. As he maneuvered the airplane back toward the airstrip, he selected carburetor heat on, propeller control full forward, and kept the mixture setting leaned for the high-altitude engine operation. He subsequently turned off the carburetor heat when the airplane was on final approach and the landing was assured.

The pilot increased the throttle a couple times after the airplane entered an area of sinking air associated with the canyons beneath the airplane’s flight path. He noted that these throttle responses were normal. However, during short final approach, about 25 ft above the ground, the airplane encountered additional sinking air and he “sharply” increased the throttle from near idle to an intermediate position. According to the pilot, the engine “coughed/sputtered” after he rapidly increased the throttle.

The pilot reported that due to the low altitude of the airplane and its proximity to the runway, he continued at a higher-than-normal rate of descent toward the runway. The pilot attempted to flare the airplane as it approached the runway threshold, but it “pancaked” onto the runway and slid to a stop in a nose down pitch attitude.

Based on law enforcement photos, the airplane contacted tree tops and then dispersed broken tree branches beneath the airplane’s flight path about 30 yards from where the airplane came to rest on the runway.

The airplane’s welded steel-tube fuselage and engine mount sustained substantial damage during the hard landing. Both propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage consistent with propeller rotation at impact.

A review of the airplane’s digital engine monitor data did not reveal any evidence of an engine malfunction during the 2 minute 36 second flight. However, due to the device’s 6-second recording interval there was insufficient data to confirm a loss of engine power before the hard landing and interruption of electrical power.

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

Icon A5, N594BA, incident occurred on July 26, 2025, near Destin, 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=N594BA

 History of Flight:
On July 26, 2025, at about 1217 local time, an Icon A5, N594BA, registered to Icon Knights LLC, sustained unknown damage in a ditching off Destin, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The cross-country personal flight originated from Gulf Shores-Edwards Airport (GUF/KJKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama, and was destined to Destin Airport (DSI/KDTS), Destin, Florida.

On March 13, 2026, the FAA reported: "Aircraft landed in the water due to fuel exhaustion and caused unspecified damage."

According to ADS-B data, the airplane departed Gulf Shores at 1120 LT and headed east towards Destin, Florida. At 1216 LT, the airplane was about 2 miles from the airport when it landed in the water. It is unknown why the FAA report was delayed so much.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange data ran through Google Earth

Figure 2: Another view

Figure 3: ADS-B exchange

Figure 4: Close up of last few datapoints