Diamond DA40 Diamond Star XLS, N162GL, fatal accident occurred on October 4, 2026, near Boulder, Colorado

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=N162GL

- History of Flight:
On October 4, 2026, at about 2129 local time, a Diamond DA40 Diamond Star XLS, N162GL, registered to Boulder Aviation Partners LLC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Boulder, Colorado. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight originated from Vance Brand Airport (LMO/KLMO), Longmont, Colorado, at 1832.

According to recent flight-tracking history, On September 27, 2026, at 0903, the airplane departed LMO on a flight to Sterling Municipal Airport (STK/KSTK), Sterling, Colorado, where it landed at roughly 1000. The airplane departed on a return trip to LMO at 1134. On October 2, 2026, at 1457, the airplane departed LMO on a flight to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE/KEGE), Gypsum, Colorado. The return trip to LMO was initiated at 1652. In these four flights, the airplane followed usual and uneventful paths.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1830, the airplane taxied from the ramp to runway 29 at LMO and initiated a takeoff without making any traffic calls. At the same time, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N927TS, was in the pattern for runway 11. The Cessna attempted to call out the Diamond several times, but without response. The Diamond continued its departure and the Cessna circled around to avoid it. A few seconds later, the pilot of the Cessna was heard saying: "Hey, 2GL, thanks so much for cutting us off in the traffic pattern," and "There’s someone on upwind for 29 who’s being really dangerous." The Diamond continued its climb to 10,000 ft and did not respond to the Cessna (see figures).

Figure 1: Cessna (blue) in pattern and Diamond taxiing (red)

Figure 2: Cessna (blue) in pattern avoiding the Diamond takeoff (red)

The airplane continued south and over mountainous terrain in a very erratic flight path. At 1851, the airplane initiated a 4000 feet per minute (fpm) descent from 11,100 ft over mountainous terrain, reaching 194 knots groundspeed at one specific point (According to the flight manual, the never exceed speed (Vne) for this airplane was 178 KIAS). The airplane continued to fly in a series of erratic turns. At 1902, the airplane climbed to 12,500 ft and headed west along mountainous terrain. At 1947, the airplane entered a series of turns and maneuvers over the mountains at 13,000 ft before proceeding east. At about 2045, the airplane reached the area where it initially started its erratic path west of Boulder, Colorado, and proceeded to conduct a series of erratic turns and maneuvers as described before. The last segment of the track, recorded at 2128:57, showed the airplane on a 270° heading and descending towards mountainous terrain from an altitude of  7,250 ft with an initial groundspeed of 133 knots. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 7,000 ft, 145 knots, and +500 feet per minute (fpm) rate.

Figure 3: Entire ADS-B exchange track ran through Flysto with groundspeed data overlay

Figure 4: Takeoff from LMO

Figure 5: Entire Track (3D)

Figure 6: End of Flysto track

Figure 7: View from mountainous terrain of last section of track (Google Earth)

Figure 8: Another view with a line extended from the last data point

The airplane was reported missing and located the next day.

- Pilot Information:
Unknown.

- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 40.1162, was manufactured in 2012. It was a 4-seat, low-wing, all-composite airplane powered by a Lycoming IO-360-M1A+ engine that drove a two-bladed Hartzell propeller. The airplane was issued a certification on 10/23/2021.

An old sale ad listed that the airplane was equipped for IFR flight and a Garmin G-1000 with an Active Traffic and Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT).

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.

- Weather:

METAR KBDU 050255Z AUTO 24007KT 10SM CLR 21/M03 A3029 RMK AO2=

METAR KBDU 050315Z AUTO 18003KT 10SM CLR 21/M03 A3030 RMK AO2=

METAR KBDU 050335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/M01 A3030 RMK AO2=

METAR KBDU 050355Z AUTO 22004KT 10SM CLR 16/00 A3030 RMK AO2=

METAR K0CO 050255Z AUTO 29012KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3079 RMK AO2=

METAR K0CO 050315Z AUTO 29010KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3080 RMK AO2=

METAR K0CO 050335Z AUTO 29009KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3080 RMK AO2=

METAR K0CO 050355Z AUTO 28009KT 10SM CLR 05/M05 A3081 RMK AO2=

METAR KBJC 050255Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM CLR 18/01 A3033 RMK AO2=

METAR KBJC 050315Z AUTO 25005KT 10SM CLR 17/00 A3033 RMK AO2=

METAR KBJC 050335Z AUTO 25003KT 10SM CLR 17/00 A3033 RMK AO2=

METAR KBJC 050355Z AUTO 17004KT 10SM CLR 17/M01 A3034 RMK AO2=

Hughes 269B, N9390F, fatal accident occurred on October 6, 2026, near Medley, West Virginia

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=N9390F

- History of Flight:
On October 6, 2026, at about 1652 local time, a privately-registered Hughes 269B helicopter, N9390F, was destroyed when it impacted open field terrain near Medley, West Virginia. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated from the area.

The circumstances of the accident are unknown. There is no ADS-B data for the accident flight or any recent flight history.

The pilot, aged 72, held an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and multi engine land ratings. He also held commercial privileges for airplane single engine and multi engine sea, rotorcraft helicopter, instrument helicopter, and a glider rating. He held type ratings in the Boeing 727, DC-8, Emb-110, HS-125, and SA-227. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single and multi engine land and instrument ratings. He also held a ground instructor, a flight engineer, and mechanic certificates. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 3/16/2025.

The accident helicopter, serial number 74-0114, was most recently issued a certificate on 6/11/2026. It was a two-seat helicopter and powered by a Lycoming HIO-360-A1A reciprocating engine rated at 180 Horsepower.

There was a nearby private use airstrip to the accident site, Heaven's Landing Airstrip (4WV4), which is located 1 mile west of Medley. This airstrip was owned by the pilot and his wife and featured a 2000 x 60 ft. turf runway 6/24. The helicopter's registration address was this airstrip, also registered to the airstrip/pilot was a 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N6137E, that was recently flown on September 25, 2026.

- Weather:

METAR KW99 062035Z AUTO 08003KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3008 RMK AO2 T01860026 $

METAR KW99 062055Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3008 RMK AO2 T01860032 56030 $

Pitts S-2B Special, N12CK, accident occurred on October 5, 2026, near Yuma, Arizona

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=N12CK

- History of Flight:
On October 5, 2026, at about 0819 local time, a privately-registered Pitts S-2B Special, N12CK, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Yuma, Arizona. The pilot was seriously injured. The local flight originated from Yuma MCAS/Yuma International Airport (NYL/KNYL), Yuma, Arizona.

The FAA reported that the airplane crashed while performing stunt maneuvers. The NTSB is investigating. There is no ADS-B data for the accident flight.

The airplane came to rest on its side in an open field and was not consumed by a post crash fire. The wreckage showed various degrees of deformations and severe impact damage. However, the cockpit area holding the pilot remained mostly intact.

Lancair IV-P Propjet, N5UC, accident occurred on October 4, 2026, near Ontario, Oregon

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=N5UC

- History of Flight:
On October 4, 2026, at about 1821 local time, a Lancair IV-P Propjet, N5UC, registered to R V Stich Construction Inc, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Ontario, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Ontario Airport (ONO/KONO), Ontario, Oregon, at 1818.

The FAA reported that the airplane crashed into a field for unknown reasons.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the airplane climbed to 3,400 ft before it initiated a descending left hand turn. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude and eventually landed in a field.

- Weather:

METAR KONO 042253Z AUTO 32004KT 10SM CLR 28/04 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP173 T02780039

METAR KONO 042353Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM CLR 28/03 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP164 T02830033 10283 20189 56020

Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion II, N94PS, accident occurred on October 5, 2026, at Stevensville Municipal Airport (32S), Stevensville, Montana

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=N94PS

- History of Flight:
On October 5, 2026, at about 1000 local time, a privately-registered Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion II, N94PS, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Stevensville Municipal Airport (32S), Stevensville, Montana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The personal flight was destined to Reno-Stead Airport (RTS/KRTS), Reno, Nevada.

The FAA reported that the pilot reported a struck throttle during taxi for takeoff and the airplane went off the end of the runway 25 into a fence. The NTSB is investigating.

- Weather:

METAR KHRF 041555Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/06 A3027 RMK AO2

METAR KHRF 041610Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/07 A3026 RMK AO2

Piper PA-31T2 Cheyenne IIXL, N630MW, incident occurred on October 5, 2026, at James M Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY/KDAY), Dayton, Ohio

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=N630MW

- History of Flight:
On October 5, 2026, at about 1458 local time, a Piper PA-31T2 Cheyenne IIXL, N630MW, registered to DMP II LLC out of Kissimmee, Florida, sustained unknown damage when it experienced a left main gear collapse during landing on runway 6R at the James M Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY/KDAY), Dayton, Ohio. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Chattanooga Municipal Airport (CHA/KCHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 1334.

- Weather:

METAR KDAY 051856Z 35007G14KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP234 T01940033

METAR KDAY 051956Z 36007G15KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP230 T01940028

Beechcraft V35A Bonanza, N2323A, incident occurred on October 5, 2026, at Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE/KGLE), Gainesville, Texas

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=N2323A

- History of Flight:
On October 5, 2026, at about 1825 local time, a Beechcraft V35A Bonanza, N2323A, registered to Outdoorsmans Dream LLC, sustained unknown damage when it was involved in an incident at Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE/KGLE), Gainesville, Texas. The local flight originated from the airport.

The FAA reported that the airplane was conducting touch and go(es) and attempted to depart, but the gear switch was accidentally activated, causing the plane to landed on its belly.

The V35A POH states that in a balked landing scenario, the throttle should go to full and the flaps/landing gear should be up.

According to the POH, the landing gear is controlled by a two-position switch on the right side of the subpanel. The switch handle must be pulled out of the safety detent before it can be moved to the opposite position. The wing flaps are controlled by a three-position switch, UP, OFF, and DOWN, located in the subpanel, above the power quadrant. The switch must be pulled out of detent before it can be repositioned.

- Weather:

METAR KGLE 052315Z AUTO 06004KT 10SM CLR 27/13 A3012 RMK AO2 T02730130

METAR KGLE 052335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/14 A3012 RMK AO2 T02670138