NTSB Says Wrong Heliport ID Led to August 2025 Texas Helicopter Accident | Aviation International News

NTSB Cites Heliport Misidentification in Aug. 2025 Crash

Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

Image courtesy Texas Department of Public Safety — © Texas Department of Public Safety | NTSB Report

By Amy Wilder • Writer

August 27, 2026

A Sikorsky S-76D flight crew’s failure to properly identify a private heliport in dark night conditions led to an attempted landing at the wrong location and impact with trees and terrain, according to a newly released NTSB final report. The captain, first officer, and passenger all suffered serious injuries in the August 2025 crash of the helicopter near Round Mountain, Texas.

Investigators found that the flight crew likely misidentified the heliport altogether. The accident site, a heavily wooded area near a recreational vehicle park on private property, was about 1.54 miles north of the intended heliport, with a prominent west-to-east river separating the two locations. The captain reported landing at the heliport between 20 and 25 times in both day and night conditions and said he did not recall experiencing any visual illusions during the accident flight. The first officer had landed there 20 times previously, but only during daytime.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Sikorsky S-76 Series

Sikorsky Aircraft

NBC News Helicopter Crashes in LA, Killing Three

Helicopter was covering a fatal collision between an SUV and bus when it went down

Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference near the scene of the crashes on September 15

Forgotten Safety Pin Preceded Gulfstream IV Excursion

Airplane veered into grass with no injuries reported

A Gulfstream G-IV’s nose gear pip pin was found separated, missing a ball lock, after its safety pin went uninstalled, an NTSB preliminary report says.

District Court Rejects Appeal of GARA-related Lawsuit

Plaintiffs argued that police aircraft are exempt from GARA statute of repose

Helicopter accident flight path

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

the pilatus PC-12 photographed on a ramp

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

Joe Sharkey with Embraer Legacy 600 involved in collision

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

rural runway