Accidents

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

UK S-92 Near-CFIT Highlights Hazards of MVFR Flight

The UK S-92 helicopter low-altitude incident parallels circumstances of Kobe Bryant fatal crash.

Another Firefighting Bell 212 Down

The sole occupant pilot survived the crash of a firefighting Bell 212 into California's Lake Shastina.

U.S. Bizjet Accidents Rise Steeply in 1H21

Accidents and fatalities involving U.S.-registered business jets more than doubled from a year ago as mishaps surged in the second quarter.

No Survivors Found from Russian An-26 Crash in Kamchatka

An Antonov An-26 twin turboprop operated by Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise crashed in the sea while on approach to Palana Airport on Russia's Pacific coast.

Pilots of Boeing 737 Cargo Plane Survive Ditching Off Oahu

Transair Flight 810 ditched off the coast of West Oahu following engine trouble soon after takeoff.

Accidents: July 2021

Preliminary and final accident reports, July 2021

NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt Reflects on 15 Years of Transportation Safety Advocacy

NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt Reflects on 15 Years of Transportation Safety Advocacy

Settlement Reached in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash

Operator, pilot's estate, settle with families in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash.

Court Limits Access to NTSB Investigation Documents

U.S. Fifth Circuit rules that helitour crash counsel isn't entitled to view all interagency documents between the NTSB and parties to the investigation.

NTSB: Citation Descending at 31,000 fpm before Crash

The last ATC radar return of a Cessna Citation I/SP that crashed into a lake showed the aircraft at about 700 feet msl and descending at some 31,000 fpm.

Snorkel Suspect in Fatal Firefighting Copter Crash

The Black Hawk helicopter's snorkel was observed swinging "violently" before impacting the main rotors and perhaps the tailboom.

NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Cause of AW139 Crash

The NTSB concluded that spatial disorientation was the cause of the 2019 night AW139 crash in the Bahamas.

Operators Need to Monitor Crew SOPs, Says Investigator

An NTSB investigator dissected a business aviation crash to illustrate the need to determine if crews are following SOPs.

Helo Safety Experts Stress IIMC Avoidance Over Recovery

Webinar participants stress the need for better preflight and enroute weather decision-making.

Accidents: June 2021

Preliminary and final accident reports, June 2021

NTSB Begins Probe into Fatal Citation Accident

Two NTSB investigators are in Smyrna, Tennessee, investigating a fatal crash of a Cessna Citation I/SP that killed all seven on board.

AINsight: A Frictional Tale about Checklist Use

Checklist usage, a foundation to both good airmanship and safety, could have potentially prevented a June 2019 King Air accident.

UK Prosecution Shines Light on Illegal Charter Flights

Two years after a highly publicized airplane crash, a criminal prosecution addresses a persistent problem.

Helo Crashed while Testing New Fire Bucket System

All four aboard the Brainerd Helicopters UH-60A were killed during the test of a new fire bucket release system.

Metroliner-Cirrus Midair Occurred on Parallel Approach

An NTSB prelim report notes the May 12 midair collision between a Cirrus SR22 and Swearingen Metroliner occurred while they were on parallel approaches.