Mooney M20J 201, N555ED, accident occurred on May 31, 2026, at Double Eagle II Airport (AEG/KAEG), Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Location: Albuquerque, NM 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA214 
• Date & Time: May 31, 2026, 15:15 Local 
• Registration: N555ED 
• Aircraft: Mooney M20J 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203158/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N555ED

On May 31, 2026, at 1515 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N555ED, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The pilot reported that the flight was a post-maintenance test flight conducted at Double Eagle II Airport (AEG), Albuquerque, New Mexico, following completion of the airplane's annual inspection. Following a preflight inspection, the pilot departed with the intention of performing three stop-and-go landings. 

The first two landings on runway 22 were uneventful. The pilot reported that engine indications remained normal throughout the flight and that all flight controls operated as expected. During the third landing, while on short final approach, the pilot stated that all parameters appeared normal; however, the airplane unexpectedly impacted the runway. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway onto the adjacent grass surface and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. 

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Ultramagic N300, N330LV, accident occurred on June 18, 2026, near Pahrump, Nevada

• Location: Pahrump, NV 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA225 
• Date & Time: June 18, 2026, 06:45 Local 
• Registration: N330LV 
• Aircraft: ULTRAMAGIC SA N-300 
• Injuries: 3 Serious, 7 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203221/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N330LV

On June 18, 2026, at 0645 mountain daylight time, an Ultramagic SA N-300 balloon, N330LV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pahrump, Nevada. The pilot and 2 passengers were seriously injured; 7 passengers sustained minor injuries. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. 

The pilot reported that after completing a safety briefing to the 9 passengers, he launched the balloon at 0545 with calm wind, and expected to arrive at the intended destination, a dry lakebed, about 40 minutes later. The flight went as planned; however, during the landing approach, the pilot noticed a strong crosswind and aborted the landing. The pilot explained to the passengers that they would continue flying until the wind conditions were calmer. 

About 5 minutes later, the pilot initiated a second landing approach and did not notice a crosswind. The passengers assumed the safety position, and the pilot turned off the fuel tanks, and bled the fuel lines. The pilot then fully opened the quick-deflation system as the basket touched down normally. As the balloon deflated on the ground, the wind increased, which pushed the balloon and tilted the basket onto its side. The basket continued to drag across the ground and the uprights fracturing followed by the basket becoming partially inverted. According to the pilot, during the accident sequence, a passenger fell onto a burner blast valve, which resulted in a short burst of flame emitted from the burners. The basket came to rest on its side, and the pilot and passengers exited the basket. 

AutoGyro MTOSport, N423AG, accident occurred on June 29, 2026, at San Jose-Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV/KRHV), San Jose, California

• Location: San Jose, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA237 
• Date & Time: June 29, 2026, 11:48 Local 
• Registration: N423AG 
• Aircraft: Autogyro MT03 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203283/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N423AG

On June 29, 2026, about 1148 Pacific daylight Time, a MTO Sport gyroplane, N423AG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV), San Jose, California. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The gyroplane 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 take a passenger on a local traffic pattern flight to demonstrate the gyroplane. The pilot reported that the pre-flight inspection, engine start, run-up, magneto check, and pre-takeoff checks revealed no anomalies. Before taking off from runway 14L, he engaged the secondary fuel pump. 

The pilot stated that the takeoff roll was normal; however, when the main landing gear was about 6 inches above the runway, the radio lost power. He attempted to reset the radio power but was unable to restore it, which he believed was indicative of a master power failure. As the gyroplane approached the departure end of the runway about 130 ft above ground level, the pilot noticed that the gyroplane was no longer climbing and had entered a slight descent. He selected a dirt area off the runway for a forced landing. 

The gyroplane continued to descend and impacted terrain at about 15 mph. Resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. 

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination

Emigh A-2 Trojan, N8329H, accident occurred on June 21, 2026, near Healdsburg, California

• Location: Healdsburg, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA227 
• Date & Time: June 21, 2026, 12:10 Local 
• Registration: N8329H 
• Aircraft: Emigh Trojan A2 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203227/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N8329H

On June 21, 2026, about 1210 Pacific daylight time, an Emigh Trojan A-2, N8329H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Healdsburg, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. 

According to the flight instructor, the flight departed on a planned visual flight rules cross-country instructional flight. The takeoff and initial climb were normal. About 7 to 8 minutes after departure, while the airplane was about 2,200 ft mean seal level, the propeller separated from the engine. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and maneuvered it for a forced landing in a plowed vineyard. After touchdown, the airplane traveled over rough terrain and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on a dirt road within the vineyard. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage during the impact sequence. 

The propeller was not recovered. Photographs provided by an FAA inspector revealed that the crank flange fractured from the crankshaft. (See figure 1). The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Zenith CH-601XL Zodiac, N165TJ, accident occurred on June 20, 2026, near O’Donnell, Texas

• Location: O'Donnell, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA230 
• Date & Time: June 20, 2026, 11:47 Local 
• Registration: N165TJ 
• Aircraft: Zenith Aircraft Company 601 XL 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203215/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N165TJ

On June 20, 2026, about 1147 central daylight time, an experimental Zodiac 601XL airplane, N165TJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near O’Donnell, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. 

The pilot reported that she was relocating the airplane for the new owner, which was something she had previously done for this owner. During the preflight inspection, she did not find anything wrong with the airplane. About 15 minutes after departure, the canopy popped open about 2 inches, and she observed that the main canopy latch was no longer fully latched. As she initiated a right turn back to the airport, the latch broke and the canopy flew open. She grabbed the canopy rope and attempted to close the canopy but was unable. Due to the excessive drag, airplane’s descent increased so she executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that she had accumulated about 20 to 30 hours in the same airplane model but had never flown this airplane before. 

Postaccident examination by the FAA revealed that the airplane landed in an agricultural field, perpendicular to the rows of crops. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings. 

The airplane was equipped with a forward hinging, tip-up canopy with gas struts that assisted in opening the canopy and supported the canopy when open. The main canopy latch was on the front left side near the instrument panel. The rear of the canopy frame featured a rope that locked into a cam cleat behind the pilot’s seat, which acted as a secondary canopy latch. 

A condition inspection was completed on May 18, 2026, at 388.6 hours airframe total time. The logbook entry noted that the canopy was clear with no distortion and recommended replacement of the canopy struts.

The airplane has been retained for further examination.

North American SNJ-5C, N98RJ, accident occurred on June 6, 2026, near Midland, Virginia

• Location: Midland, VA 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA232 
• Date & Time: June 6, 2026, 09:40 Local 
• Registration: N98RJ 
• Aircraft: North American SNJ-5C 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203134/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N98RJ

On June 6, 2026, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a North American SNJ-5C, N98RJ was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Midland, Virginia. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The pilot of the airplane departed from Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpepper, Virginia and joined a formation flight of 4 airplanes in position No. 3 to perform maneuvers for airshow practice. About 0940, while flying at 3,800 ft mean sea level (msl), 4 nautical miles northeast of Warrenton/Fauquier Airport (HWY), Warrenton, Virginia, the pilot reported that the airplane’s propeller separated and impacted the left wing. The pilot executed an emergency power off landing at HWY without further incident. 

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the leading edge of the left wing was substantially damaged from the left landing light to approximately 8 feet outboard of the light. The propeller, and a portion of the crankshaft that also separated from the engine, were not recovered. Ferrous metal debris were present on a magnetic chip detector in the engine, and ferrous and non-ferrous metal debris were present in the propeller oil feed pipe channel and sump. Metal particulate was also found in the oil filter and suction screen. The remaining end of the crankshaft displayed signatures consistent with tortional shear, with the propeller guide channels being slanted. 

The engine was retained for further examination.

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N8095F, accident occurred on June 30, 2026, at Paynesville Municipal Airport (PEX/KPEX), Paynesville, Minnesota

• Location: Paynesville, MN 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA242 
• Date & Time: June 30, 2026, 17:45 Local 
• Registration: N8095F 
• Aircraft: Beech A36 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203301/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N8095F

On June 30, 2026, about 1745 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N8095F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Paynesville Municipal Airport (PEX), Paynesville, Minnesota. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The pilot reported that after landing on runway 29, the airplane began to oscillate vertically during the landing roll. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury. 

Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear had fractured and separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage.

The airplane was retained for further examination.