Air Accident Investigation Archives

Orsk, Russia: Three people, including two aviation cadets and their instructor, were killed on Monday when a training aircraft crashed during a routine flight near the city of Orsk in Russia’s Orenburg Region, authorities confirmed. The aircraft, identified as a Diamond DA-series trainer operated by the St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, disappeared from radar around 10:40 a.m. local time before crashing near the settlement of Dzhanatalap. Preliminary information from local officials indicates that two university students and an instructor were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident. All three occupants died on impact. According to Russian media sources citing operational services, the individuals have been provisionally identified as the pilot, Vasily N. (born 1989), and cadets Timofey K. (born 2005) and Dmitry S. (born 2004). Rescue teams from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) were dispatched immediately after the aircraft went down. Officials reported no post-impact fire at the crash site. In statements to state news agencies, the regional governor’s office said rescue operations were ongoing and that authorities were providing assistance to the victims’ families. Russian investigative bodies have launched inquiries into the cause of the accident. The Central Interregional Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee is leading the probe, in coordination with the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) and Russia’s civil aviation regulator, Rosaviatsiya. Officials have not yet released any preliminary findings on the circumstances that led to the aircraft’s descent. Specialists are expected to analyze flight data and wreckage to determine whether mechanical failure, weather, or human factors played a role. Regional authorities, including Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and affirmed support for the ongoing investigation. Senior representatives from Rosaviatsiya and the St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation are reported to be traveling to the crash site.

Three killed As Training Aircraft Crashes During Routine Flight Near Orsk In Russia

Aviation Today News Desk / February 3, 2026

Orsk, Russia: Three people, including two aviation cadets and their instructor, were killed on Monday when a training aircraft crashed […]

Investigation

South Korea Approves Independent Probe Into Deadly Jeju Air Crash That Killed 179

Aviation Today News Desk / December 30, 2025

Seoul, South Korea: South Korea’s National Assembly has passed legislation to establish an independent parliamentary investigation into the December 2024

Florida, United States: In Florida, a small aircraft crashed near New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport on the morning of Friday, August 29. The New Smyrna Beach Fire Department stated that the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of South Street and Clarendon Avenue, just outside the airport perimeter. Emergency responders from the fire department and local police arrived quickly at the scene. Both individuals on board the aircraft sustained injuries and were transported to Halifax Health Medical Center for treatment. Authorities have not released further details about their conditions. The crash prompted road closures in the surrounding area as first responders secured the scene and conducted rescue operations. Local residents were advised to exercise caution while emergency personnel were on site. At this stage, the cause of the crash has not been publicly disclosed. Aviation authorities are expected to investigate the incident in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The New Smyrna Beach Fire Department emphasized that the area remained restricted to ensure the safety of residents and emergency crews. Meanwhile, in Michigan, a 22-year-old Ohio man was hospitalized following a small single-engine plane crash in a field near Richmond Field in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, on Thursday, August 28. According to the township police, the crash occurred shortly before 4:00 p.m., after a crash detection notification from the pilot’s iPhone and calls from local residents alerted authorities. The pilot, who was flying from Charlevoix to Toledo, was found outside the aircraft with significant injuries and transported to the University of Michigan Hospital. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the township police, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Aircraft Crashes

Two Hospitalized After Small Plane Crashes Outside New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / August 30, 2025

Florida, United States: In Florida, a small aircraft crashed near New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport on the morning of Friday,

Alabama, United States: A small single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed in a vacant lot near Gulf Shores International Airport on Sunday afternoon, sending both occupants to the hospital. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. as the plane was approaching the airport for landing. According to Gulf Shores Public Information Officer Grant Brown, the aircraft clipped a tree while descending, causing it to spin and crash in a vacant lot situated between Alabama Coastal Community College and the Gulf Shores Tourism Center. The pilot and his wife, who was the passenger, were able to evacuate the plane on their own. Both individuals were conscious and alert when first responders arrived at the scene. They were subsequently transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for evaluation and treatment. The crash site was secured by Gulf Shores Police and Fire Rescue, as well as airport management. Fortunately, the incident occurred outside the airport boundaries, so airport operations were not affected, and traffic on Alabama 59 remained unaffected. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and is expected to send investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash. Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft departed from Paris, Texas, earlier in the day and was en route to Gulf Shores International Airport when the incident occurred. The NTSB's investigation will provide further insights into the circumstances leading to the crash. Authorities have not released the identities of the individuals involved at this time.

Aircraft Crashes

Small Plane Crashes Near Gulf Shores Airport, Both Pilot and Passenger Hospitalized

Aviation Today News Desk / August 25, 2025

Alabama, United States: A small single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed in a vacant lot near Gulf Shores International Airport on

Kuantan, Malaysia: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet caught fire during take-off at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport on Thursday night, prompting both pilots to eject seconds before the aircraft crashed. The incident, which occurred around 9:05 pm, temporarily shut down the airport’s runway and disrupted several commercial flights. The RMAF confirmed in a statement that the twin-seat Hornet suffered a fire during its take-off roll at Kuantan Air Base. “Both pilots successfully ejected and were immediately transported to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for medical observation,” the Air Force said. Witnesses described the terrifying moment as the aircraft burst into flames, sending smoke billowing into the night sky. One resident said that two loud explosions “sounded like missile strikes” and could be heard nearly a kilometre away. A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, shows the Hornet engulfed in flames as it attempted to lift off the runway before both crew members ejected. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) declared a temporary “Code Black” runway closure following the accident. In a statement CAAM said the runway would remain shut until 1 pm on Friday, August 22, to facilitate debris clearance and safety checks. The closure affected several scheduled services, including Malaysia Airlines flights MH1268 and MH1269, and Scoot flights TR0470 and TR0471. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for rebooking arrangements. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his well-wishes to the pilots and urged a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire. “This incident must be studied thoroughly to ensure the safety of our airmen and the reliability of our defence assets,” Anwar said, as quoted by Malay Mail. The RMAF has launched a formal probe into the accident. No casualties were reported on the ground, and authorities confirmed that the fire was contained within the air base perimeter. The Boeing F/A-18D Hornet is one of the RMAF’s frontline multirole fighters, acquired in the 1990s. The aircraft has seen extensive service, including participation in regional exercises and maritime patrols. The fleet is currently undergoing phased upgrades as part of Malaysia’s defence modernisation plan. While the immediate priority remains the health of the two aircrew, the investigation will focus on determining whether a mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or other technical issues caused the fire. The findings are expected to inform future operational safety measures for the RMAF’s combat fleet. In a separate incident a month ago, five police officers were injured when their AS355N helicopter crashed into the Pulai River during a nuclear security exercise in Johor. Two officers remain in critical condition and are receiving respiratory support in the Intensive Care Unit at Sultanah Aminah Hospital. The remaining three officers are stable. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed the crash occurred near the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Jetty in Gelang Patah.

Military Aviation

Malaysian Air Force Hornet Catches Fire During Take-Off, Both Pilots Survive

Aviation Today News Desk / August 22, 2025

Kuantan, Malaysia: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet caught fire during take-off at Sultan Haji Ahmad

Air Accident Investigation

Three killed As Training Aircraft Crashes During Routine Flight Near Orsk In Russia

South Korea Approves Independent Probe Into Deadly Jeju Air Crash That Killed 179

Two Hospitalized After Small Plane Crashes Outside New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport

Small Plane Crashes Near Gulf Shores Airport, Both Pilot and Passenger Hospitalized

Malaysian Air Force Hornet Catches Fire During Take-Off, Both Pilots Survive

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