Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

A Robinson R44 Raven II crashed near the city of Lago Ranco in the Los Rios region of Chile on Tuesday, killing the former president of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera Echenique, age 74, who was flying the helicopter. Three other occupants survived the crash into a lake, the Lago Ranco, according to Chile’s General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC).
The Lago Ranco fire department, national police, and Chilean navy responded to the accident, which is under investigation by the DGAC’s investigation department.&nbsp;
According to Chilean news company Clarín, a state funeral is being held today at the Hall of Honor at Chile’s congress in Santiago. Echenique leaves behind his wife Cecilia Morel and children Magdalena, Cecilia, Sebastián, and Cristóbal.
Some news reports called the helicopter a turbine R66 model, but the registration CC-PHP belongs to the R44 that crashed.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Former Chile President Dies in Helicopter Accident

Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the Ranco Lake in Chile

A Robinson R44 Raven II crashed near the city of Lago Ranco in Chile, killing the former president of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera Echenique.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair 

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Accidents

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

NTSB Cites Heliport Misidentification in Aug. 2025 Crash

Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

Fire of Unknown Origin Led to 2024 Citation X Accident

NTSB: Ignition source could not be conclusively identified

NTSB: Bell 206L Damage Caused by Aeroelastic Interaction

Helicopter experienced a vertical hop for which the pilot didn’t know the recovery procedure

Cessna 441 Crash Kills USACE Workers in Alaska

Twin turboprop crashed in apparently foggy conditions while approaching remote airstrip

King Air Hits Deer During Landing at Canadian Airport

All seven occupants deplaned without injury

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