Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The NTSB has concluded that the probable cause of a fatal June 2019 helicopter air ambulance crash at the Brainerd (Minnesota) Airport (BRD) was the result of pilot spatial disorientation and loss of control during a night-time instrument approach. Both the pilot and flight nurse were killed, while the flight paramedic survived with serious injuries.

 


According to the NTSB, the accident occurred on a repositioning flight. The 2008 Leonardo AW109S, operated by North Memorial Air Care, entered into a spin near the runway and hit terrain. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were one-quarter mile visibility with a 200-foot ceiling in fog.

 


The NTSB’s final report notes, “After descending below the DH (decision height), with a power setting below 30 percent torque, the helicopter’s pitch attitude increased from -3 degrees (nose-down) to +20 degrees (nose-up), its airspeed decreased from 100 to 50 knots, and the pilot declared a missed approach…The pilot’s increased collective input and the helicopter’s decreasing speed resulted in an increase of torque, and the helicopter entered a right rotational yaw that accelerated into a spin.”

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Triggered Aeromed Fatal

Helicopter spun near the runway and impacted terrain at night, in fog. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

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

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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

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

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

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