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accident report

Flawed Airspace Design, Oversight Failures Led To Fatal DCA Collision That Killed 67

Aviation Today News Desk / February 18, 2026

Washington, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its final report has concluded that a combination of flawed […]

NTSB Preliminary Report Cites Unqualified Second-In-Command In Greg Biffle Plane Crash SEO DES: Just after takeoff, the jet began a left climb but the crew soon reported instrument issues. The left altimeter failed and airspeed & heading stopped SOCIAL: The NTSB released a preliminary report on the December 18, 2025 crash of a Cessna Citation 550 near Statesville, N.C., killing seven, including NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and his family. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported instrument failures, including a faulty altimeter and loss of airspeed/heading data; Biffle was not flying. The jet struck a 29-foot approach light structure, towers, and trees while attempting a return; investigators found no structural or engine failures. North Carolina, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary investigative report on the December 18, 2025 crash of a Cessna Citation 550 near Statesville Regional Airport, North Carolina, providing new detail into the flight’s final minutes and the sequence of technical and cockpit challenges that preceded the accident. The accident claimed the lives of seven people, including former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, and three others. According to the NTSB’s preliminary report, the Citation departed Statesville at approximately 10:06 a.m. Eastern on a personal flight to Sarasota, Florida, under visual flight rules. The aircraft, registered to a company linked to Biffle, lifted off fully fueled with seven people aboard. Before takeoff, cockpit voice recordings captured the crew discussing a malfunctioning thrust reverser indicator light, although the thrust reversers themselves appeared operational. Just after departure, the aircraft started a left climbing turn, but soon after the crew reported a series of in-flight instrument anomalies. The left-side altimeter was reported not functioning properly, and data from the Garmin navigation system showed that airspeed and heading information stopped recording. The autopilot also disengaged about the same time, though it was unclear whether that was intentional. The NTSB confirmed that Greg Biffle was not at the controls of the aircraft when it crashed. The jet was being flown by Dennis Dutton, a retired airline pilot with multiple type ratings, seated in the left seat. His son, Jack Dutton, was in the right seat handling communications and checklists. While both men held pilot certificates, the report noted that the right-seat occupant was not qualified to serve as second-in-command (SIC) on this type of aircraft, a requirement under Federal Aviation Administration rules for that Citation model under normal operations. Neither Biffle nor Jack Dutton had the appropriate SIC endorsement, though Dutton was the pilot flying at the time of the accident. Data indicates that after reporting the instrument problems, the aircraft climbed to around 4,500 feet before the pilot briefly handed control to the right-seat occupant while troubleshooting continued. During this time, the crew attempted to activate an instrument flight rules clearance but experienced difficulty reaching air traffic control. The aircraft began a descent back toward the airport. The pilot and crew reported visually acquiring the runway environment and began configuring the plane for landing. The pilot called for flaps and landing gear extension, but landing gear indicator lights did not illuminate, suggesting electrical or indication issues. At one point on the final approach, the right-seat occupant broadcast on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency: “We’re having some issues here.” Radar and limited flight data show the aircraft rolled out on runway heading at approximately 1,240 feet altitude and 114 knots, but both altitude and airspeed began to decay steadily as the jet continued toward the runway threshold. The plane struck a 29-foot approach light structure about 1,380 feet short of the runway, then impacted additional light towers and trees before skidding into the runway overrun area. A fire destroyed much of the fuselage. Investigators found no indication of structural failure or engine malfunction prior to impact. Both engines remained attached to the airframe, and fan blade damage was consistent with rotation at the moment of ground impact. The aircraft was not required to have a flight data recorder. Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), extracting roughly 31 minutes of audio, although poor audio quality complicated parts of the review. Limited avionics data was recovered from the Garmin unit. The NTSB’s preliminary report outlines factual information about the sequence of events but does not assign probable cause. That determination, along with any contributing factors and safety recommendations, will be part of a final report, typically issued 12 to 18 months after an accident.

NTSB Preliminary Report Cites Unqualified Second-In-Command In Greg Biffle Plane Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / February 3, 2026

North Carolina, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary investigative report on the December 18,

Bogota, Colombia: A scheduled domestic flight operated by state-owned airline SATENA crashed in the mountainous Norte de Santander region of northeastern Colombia on 28 January 2026, killing all 15 people on board, authorities confirmed. The twin-engine Beechcraft 1900D turboprop, registered HK-4709, was flying as SATENA Flight 8849 from Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta toward Aguas Claras Airport in Ocaña when it lost radio and radar contact with air traffic control at about 11:54 a.m. local time, roughly 12 minutes into the short domestic service. Search and rescue teams later located the wreckage on a cloud-covered mountainside near Curasica in the municipality of Playa de Belén, confirming there were no survivors among the 13 passengers and two crew members. Among those killed were Diógenes Quintero Amaya, a 36-year-old member of Colombia’s House of Representatives representing the Catatumbo region, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming congressional elections, according to passenger lists released by SATENA. Colombian authorities and local media also reported that members of Quintero’s team were on board. SATENA said flight crews lost contact with the aircraft shortly before its scheduled landing in Ocaña. The plane’s emergency locator transmitter did not activate, which delayed initial detection of the crash site. Once located, national authorities, including the Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil), the Colombian Aerospace Force, and military personnel, coordinated search and recovery operations in difficult terrain, hampered by dense fog and rugged mountains. No definitive cause for the crash has yet been released. Colombian aviation regulators have opened a technical investigation to determine the sequence of events leading to the accident and any contributing factors. Officials have not ruled out weather or terrain as influences, given the flight path over challenging mountainous territory near the Venezuela border. The Beechcraft 1900D involved was operated under a wet-lease arrangement by SEARCA on behalf of SATENA. The aircraft type is widely used on short regional routes for its capability to operate in and out of airports with limited infrastructure. The Cúcuta–Ocaña sector is a routine domestic service typically lasting under an hour. Radar data showed the aircraft climbed to approximately 12,900 feet before beginning its descent toward Ocaña, with its last known altitude recorded near 7,900 feet shortly before contact was lost. Colombian officials, including President Gustavo Petro, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the crash as a national tragedy.

Aircraft Crashes

All 15 Aboard Die As SATENA Beechcraft 1900D Crashes In Northern Colombia

Aviation Today News Desk / January 30, 2026

Bogota, Colombia: A scheduled domestic flight operated by state-owned airline SATENA crashed in the mountainous Norte de Santander region of

Manaus, Brazil: A small single-engine aircraft crashed into the Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon River, on the morning of January 4, 2026, leaving both occupants with minor injuries, according to local sources and eyewitness footage. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Paricatuba and Iranduba, in the metropolitan region of Manaus, Amazonas state. Video captured by witnesses including an architect riding a jet ski shows the aircraft flying at very low altitude before losing height and nose-diving into the water with a large splash. Fernando Araújo, who recorded the dramatic sequence, told reporters he noticed the plane performing unusual low-altitude maneuvers over the river before the crash. In the footage, the aircraft appears to touch the water twice and make steep turns before the final descent. According to local media reports, Araújo and others on boats and jet skis were first on the scene. They were able to reach the floating wreckage quickly and pull the pilot and passenger to safety, administering first aid before rescue teams arrived. Both men aboard the aircraft were reported to have sustained injuries. The pilot suffered deep cuts to his forehead and was described as being in shock. The passenger reportedly had a smaller head wound and a puncture wound to his thigh. Officials from the Amazonas Military Fire Department confirmed they were alerted and responded to the scene. When authorities arrived, the victims had already been removed from the water by civilian rescuers. Local news outlets noted that a single small aircraft was involved in the accident, and there were no reports of additional persons onboard. Following the rescue, firefighters inspected the area and reported no remaining hazards at the crash site. There has been no official release on the aircraft’s registration, operator, or flight plan as of this writing. Brazil’s Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA), the aviation accident investigation authority had not yet confirmed receipt of a formal notification about the crash at the time of initial reporting. Investigators will likely examine factors such as flight control, altitude management, weather conditions, and mechanical systems to determine the circumstances that led to the loss of control over the river.

Aircraft Crashes

Small Aircraft Crashes Into Amazon’s Rio Negro Near Manaus, Two Rescued With Injuries

Aviation Today News Desk / January 9, 2026

Manaus, Brazil: A small single-engine aircraft crashed into the Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon River, on the

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20 military personnel onboard, according to Turkish and Georgian authorities. The aircraft was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it went down in the Kakheti region near the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. The Lockheed C-130, a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft, reportedly lost contact with air traffic control shortly after entering Georgian airspace. Witnesses in the Sighnaghi Municipality described seeing the plane on fire before it crashed into hilly terrain. Rescue teams from Georgia’s Emergency Management Service and Turkish military units launched a joint search and recovery operation, later confirming that no survivors were found among the 20 people onboard. Georgia’s Interior Ministry said debris was scattered across a wide area, indicating the aircraft may have broken apart mid-air before impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with both countries cooperating on a joint technical inquiry. Preliminary assessments suggest the aircraft might have experienced an in-flight fire or catastrophic mechanical failure, though officials have not yet confirmed this. The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the tragedy, stating,“We have lost 20 of our heroic personnel aboard a military transport plane during duty. Search and rescue efforts have been completed in coordination with Georgian authorities.” Turkey has dispatched a high-level investigation team to Georgia, including defence and aviation safety experts, to coordinate recovery and analysis efforts. The governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia both expressed solidarity with Turkey. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev conveyed condolences to Erdoğan, stating,“We share the sorrow of our Turkish brothers and stand by them in this difficult time.” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also confirmed his country’s full cooperation with Turkish officials in the investigation, adding that emergency response units “arrived at the site within minutes of reports of the crash.” The downed C-130 was reportedly an older model that had served in the Turkish Air Force for decades. The aircraft type, known for its durability and versatility, is used globally for military transport and humanitarian aid missions.

Aircraft Crashes

All 20 Onboard Killed As Turkish Military C-130 Cargo Plane Crashes In Eastern Georgia

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20

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