Fuel starvation: Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron, N9420Y, accident occurred on June 29, 2025, near Mid-Florida Airport (X55), Eustis, Florida

• Location: Eustis, Florida 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA250 
• Date & Time: June 29, 2025, 11:07 Local 
• Registration: N9420Y 
• Aircraft: Beech 95-B55 (T42A) 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel starvation 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200414/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200414

On June 29, 2025, at 1107 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N9420Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eustis, Florida. The private pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot did not provide a statement, but the passenger stated the purpose of the flight was to go to another, unspecified airport to get fuel. The passenger recalled getting into the airplane and the pilot taxing to the end of the runway uneventfully. The pilot began the takeoff and as the nose of the airplane left the pavement, the right engine “sputtered out.” The left engine continued to produce power and the airplane immediately veered to the right where it impacted trees and ultimately came to rest on the shore of a pond. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage during the accident sequence.

A postaccident examination of the engines and airframe did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanic malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The examination also found that all four of the airplane's fuel tanks were intact and that only a small, unmeasurable, quantity of fluid consistent with fuel was present. Given that the pilot did not provide a statement, it could not be determined what his preflight fuel planning actions were. Based on the lack of appreciable fuel found during the postaccident examination, in combination with no other findings suggesting a mechanical reason for the loss of engine power to the right engine, the most likely reason for the loss of engine power was fuel starvation. Following the loss of right engine power, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane while the airplane's left engine continued to operate, which resulted in the subsequent runway excursion.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after a total loss of right engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation.

Loss of control on ground: Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, N4552A, accident occurred on June 24, 2026, at Foothills Regional Airport (MRN/KMRN), Morganton, North Carolina

• Location: Morganton, North Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA247 
• Date & Time: June 24, 2026, 11:42 Local 
• Registration: N4552A 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-22-150 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203238/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203238

The private pilot recently purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane and was receiving make/model specific recurrency training from the flight instructor. Following a successful landing, the flight instructor briefed the pilot that the next takeoff would be an exercise in rudder management and maintaining runway alignment by reducing engine power during the takeoff roll after the tail rose off the ground. The exercise would end when about 1,000 feet of runway remained, after which the pilot would take off. The pilot stated that he understood the exercise would be a type of high-speed taxi, and that the flight instructor would operate the throttle. During the subsequent maneuver, the flight instructor described that when the tail rose up and he reduced engine power, the pilot initially applied right rudder to correct for the airplane's minimal drift to the left, but then did not relax that right rudder input. The flight instructor then called for the pilot to apply left rudder, and the flight instructor began to apply left rudder himself, but he felt resistance to the control input. The flight instructor then repeatedly verbalized for the pilot to transfer control of the airplane to him, but that did not occur until after the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane subsequently traversed an excavated area and an earthen berm before striking a drainage ditch and coming to rest. The flight instructor was seriously injured and the airplane's fuselage was substantially damaged.

Following the accident, the pilot described that this takeoff technique was different from the one that he had originally been trained to perform. Specifically, the flight instructor told him to place the control yoke full forward at the start of the takeoff roll so that the tail would rise up immediately, rather than holding the control yoke aft and raising the tail only after speed was attained. Of the previous takeoffs he had made using this technique, including the accident maneuver, the pilot stated that he felt that he never had the control authority that he should. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot and flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to complete a positive exchange of flight control following the loss of directional control.

Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Sport Trainer, N621GL, accident occurred on August 14, 2026, near Seminole Lake Gliderport (6FL0), Clemont, Florida

• Location: Clermont, Florida
• Accident Number: ERA26LA300
• Date & Time: August 14, 2026, 09:26 Local
• Registration: N621GL
• Aircraft: WACO CLASSIC AIRCRAFT CORP 2T-1A-2
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
• Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203590/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203590

According to the pilot of the tandem seat biplane, while conducting a short-field landing approach to the runway threshold, he was having trouble seeing his aiming point past the front passenger. He subsequently misjudged the airplane's descent rate during a turn, and the left wing struck a tree beside the runway overrun. The airplane struck the ground and was consumed by a postimpact fire.The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach.

Fuel starvation: Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking 300A, N501CR, accident occurred on June 27, 2026, near Santa Paula Airport (SZP/KSZP), Santa Paula, California

• Location: Santa Paula, California 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA240 
• Date & Time: June 27, 2026, 12:55 Local 
• Registration: N501CR 
• Aircraft: Bellanca 17-30A 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel starvation 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203288/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203288

The pilot reported that, after flying most of the cross-country flight with the fuel selector set to the right fuel tank, he entered an extended downwind for landing at the destination airport. Just before turning base, the right fuel tank became empty and the engine stopped. He immediately turned the fuel selector to the left tank and attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He reported hearing the stall warning horn before the airplane “dropped out from under” him and impacted a dry riverbed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

The pilot reported that his improper fuel management resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. He further remarked that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.

Aerodynamic stall/spin: Fairchild PT-19A (M-62A), N53953, accident occurred on July 5, 2026, at Greenleaf Air Ranch (ID90), Greenleaf, Idaho

• Location: Greenleaf, Idaho 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA252 
• Date & Time: July 5, 2026, 07:25 Local 
• Registration: N53953 
• Aircraft: Fairchild M-62A 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203358/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203358

According to the pilot, during approach to the airport, he noted that the airplane felt “heavy and sluggish.” The pilot realized the airplane was nearing its stall speed and low on its glidepath, and he attempted to correct by adding engine power and raising the nose; however, the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted terrain short of the runway. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the pilot received serious injuries.

The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during approach and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Fuel exhaustion: Piper PA-18 Super Cub, N7590K, accident occurred on July 18, 2026, near Colusa, California

• Location: Colusa, California 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA268 
• Date & Time: July 18, 2026, 09:15 Local 
• Registration: N7590K 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-18 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203423/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203423

The pilot of the amphibious float equipped airplane reported that he was on a cross-country return flight to his home airport. During the descent to the planned fuel-stop airport, he encountered stronger headwinds than usual. The pilot closely monitored the fuel sight gauges because he recognized that the remaining fuel would be marginal for reaching his intended destination. While on a straight-in approach, positioned about 2 miles from the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot raised the airplane's nose to improve glide performance and engine power briefly returned; however, the engine subsequently lost total power a second time. The pilot retracted the landing gear and conducted a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence and came to rest nose-down in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion and that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and in-flight decision making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Harmon Rocket HR-II, C-FCPG, accident occurred on July 24, 2026, near Glasgow Valley County Airport (GGW/KGGW), Glasgow, Montana

• Location: Glasgow, Montana 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA280 
• Date & Time: July 24, 2026, 09:30 Local 
• Registration: C-FCPG 
• Aircraft: Harmon Rocket II 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel starvation 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203478/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203478

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was preparing the airplane for landing and the landing gear would not extend. He attempted to extend the landing gear using the airplane's manual gear extension procedure and during that effort, the fuel selector valve was inadvertently moved to the OFF position rather than the hydraulic system depressurization valve. The engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's inadvertent selection of the fuel selector valve to the OFF position resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and subsequent forced landing to a field.