aviation investigation Archives - Page 3 of 15

A 22-year-old student pilot safely landed a training aircraft after her flight instructor fell from the aircraft during a training flight in Argentina, in an incident that has shocked the country's aviation community and prompted an ongoing investigation. The accident occurred on 5 July 2026 near the town of Toledo in Córdoba Province. The training flight departed from Coronel Olmedo Aerodrome, where the Flying Parrot Córdoba flight school is based. On board were the student pilot and 42-year-old flight instructor Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, an experienced commercial pilot and instructor. According to Argentine authorities and local media, the student, who already held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) but was continuing advanced flight training under supervision, was flying with Bertazzo in a Cessna 150, a two-seat training aircraft commonly used for flight instruction. During the flight, Bertazzo unexpectedly exited the aircraft while it was airborne. The exact circumstances surrounding how he left the aircraft remain under investigation, and officials have not yet determined whether the incident resulted from an accidental fall, a mechanical issue involving the aircraft's door or safety systems, or another cause. The student pilot retained control of the aircraft and, despite suddenly being alone on board, flew it back to Coronel Olmedo Aerodrome and landed safely without assistance. She immediately alerted personnel at the flight school, who notified emergency services and authorities. Search teams subsequently located Bertazzo's body in a rural field near Toledo, approximately 15 to 20 minutes after the student reported the incident. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Bertazzo had worked in aviation for around 10 years and had served as a flight instructor at Flying Parrot Córdoba for approximately four years. Colleagues described him as an experienced instructor, and the school's director, Eduardo Álvarez, said Bertazzo had completed another training flight earlier that day without any indication that something was wrong. Álvarez said the student later recounted that, moments before the incident, Bertazzo told her, "You know what you have to do," before removing his headset, placing his mobile phone aside, opening the aircraft door and leaving the aircraft. Authorities have not independently confirmed the student's account, and investigators are treating it as part of the ongoing inquiry. Investigators have seized the aircraft for examination and are reviewing its maintenance records, flight school documentation, operational procedures and any available communications made during the flight. They are also examining the aircraft's door and restraint systems to determine whether a mechanical malfunction could have contributed to the tragedy. While some Argentine media outlets have reported that investigators are also examining the possibility that Bertazzo intentionally exited the aircraft, judicial and aviation authorities have not announced any official conclusion regarding the cause of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing. The student pilot survived the incident without physical injuries and is expected to provide further testimony as investigators continue reconstructing the events leading up to one of the most unusual training-flight accidents reported in Argentina in recent years.

Flight Instructor Dies After Falling From Training Aircraft; Student Lands Safely

Aviation Today News Desk / July 7, 2026

Toledo, Argentina: A 22-year-old student pilot safely landed a training aircraft after her flight instructor fell from the aircraft during

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: A student pilot from Madhya Pradesh was killed along with his flight instructor after a training aircraft crashed during a flight training sortie in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday. The student, who had been pursuing his dream of becoming a commercial pilot, died in the accident, prompting UAE authorities to launch an investigation into the crash. The deceased student has been identified in regional media reports as Harshal Patidar, 26, son of Saket Ginning proprietor Sunil Patidara and a resident of Anjad in Barwani district, had been living in the UAE with his uncle Ishwar Patidar, assisting in the family’s cotton business. He had travelled to the UAE to undergo commercial pilot training at Fujairah Aviation Academy, one of the country's established flight training institutions. According to the family, the case was being handled by Sharjah Police, while the aviation investigation agency AAIS was also conducting an inquiry into the accident. Harshal had completed an MS in Global Finance from the United States before joining the family business in the UAE. The identity of the flight instructor has not been officially released by the authorities. The accident occurred during a routine training flight near Fujairah. The trainer aircraft crashed approximately 50 kilometres from the academy under circumstances that are yet to be officially explained. UAE emergency responders launched search and rescue operations following the crash. Initial reports indicate that Patidar lost his life in the accident. Media reports further stated that rescue teams recovered the body after the crash, while aviation authorities secured the accident site as part of the ongoing investigation. The exact type of aircraft involved, its registration, the number of occupants on board, and the sequence of events leading to the crash have not yet been officially released. Similarly, authorities have not disclosed whether weather, mechanical failure, pilot actions or any other factors contributed to the accident. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), through its Air Accident Investigation Section (AAIS), is investigating the occurrence in accordance with international aviation investigation procedures. The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft, operational records and other available evidence before determining the cause of the accident. News of Patidar's death has sent shockwaves through his hometown of Anjad in Barwani district, where family members, relatives and members of the local business community expressed grief over the loss. He had reportedly gone to the UAE to fulfil his long-held ambition of becoming a pilot while continuing his family's business interests. As of publication, neither the GCAA nor Fujairah Aviation Academy has issued a detailed public statement identifying the aircraft involved or outlining the circumstances of the crash. Officials are expected to release additional information as the investigation progresses.

Aircraft Crashes

Student Pilot And Flight Instructor Killed In Training Aircraft Crash In UAE

Aviation Today News Desk / July 6, 2026

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: A student pilot from Madhya Pradesh was killed along with his flight instructor after a training

Tomblaine, France: Eleven people were killed after a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Nancy in northeastern France on Sunday, June 28, in one of the country's deadliest civilian aviation accidents involving a parachuting flight in decades. The aircraft, identified by authorities as a German-registered Pilatus PC-6, departed from Nancy-Essey Airport at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time before suffering what officials described as a malfunction moments after becoming airborne. The aircraft crashed in the commune of Tomblaine, around 300 metres from the end of the runway, killing everyone on board. The victims included the pilot, five skydiving instructors and five trainee parachutists, according to regional authorities. No one survived the crash. According to Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefect Yves Séguy, the aircraft encountered a malfunction shortly after departure from Nancy-Essey Airport. Officials said the airplane lost altitude rapidly and plunged almost vertically before striking the ground near a bicycle path adjacent to a commercial area. Despite the severity of the accident, the aircraft narrowly missed nearby residential buildings, preventing what authorities said could have been an even greater tragedy. Investigators have not yet determined the precise cause of the accident. Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft's engine suddenly fall silent shortly after takeoff, followed almost immediately by the impact. Several residents told local media the aircraft appeared to descend without any obvious attempt to return to the airport. Authorities said there was no evidence of an in-flight explosion or significant post-impact fire, although the aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact. The aircraft was being used for a scheduled parachuting flight operated by a skydiving school. French authorities confirmed the aircraft was registered in Germany, although officials have not yet publicly identified the operator or ownership details. The Swiss-built Pilatus PC-6 Porter is widely used around the world for parachuting operations because of its excellent short takeoff and landing performance, high-wing configuration and ability to carry multiple skydivers. The flight was carrying 10 parachutists, comprising five instructors and five students, along with the pilot. Several reports indicated the students were preparing for tandem skydives. Some media outlets reported that the trainee participants included nursing professionals from the Nancy area taking part in a recreational skydiving experience. However, French authorities have not officially released the identities of any victims. Officials confirmed that some relatives and friends of those on board had gathered at the airport to watch the planned parachute jumps. Several family members reportedly witnessed the aircraft's fatal descent shortly after takeoff. Emergency psychological support teams were deployed to assist grieving relatives, witnesses and first responders. More than 50 firefighters, police officers, emergency medical teams and specialist aviation investigators responded to the scene. Authorities established a security perimeter around the crash site and urged members of the public to stay away while rescue and recovery operations continued. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez travelled to the scene, while Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot described the accident as a "terrible tragedy" and extended condolences to the victims' families. The wreckage remained under guard as investigators began documenting evidence and recovering aircraft components. France's aviation accident investigators have launched a formal investigation into the crash. Authorities have stressed that no cause has yet been established. Although northeastern France experienced exceptionally high temperatures the day before the accident, investigators have not linked the weather to the crash. Witness reports that the engine appeared to stop shortly after takeoff will form part of the investigation, but officials cautioned that eyewitness accounts alone cannot determine the cause. Unlike many larger commercial aircraft, the Pilatus PC-6 is generally not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, meaning investigators will rely heavily on physical evidence, maintenance documentation, operational records and witness testimony. As investigators continue examining the wreckage, authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until the official investigation determines what caused the aircraft to crash so soon after takeoff.

Aircraft Crashes

11 Killed After Skydiving Aircraft Crashes Shortly After Takeoff In France

Aviation Today News Desk / June 29, 2026

Tomblaine, France: Eleven people were killed after a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Nancy in northeastern France on

Paringa, New Zealand: A loose maintenance bolt that detached during flight caused an Airbus AS350BA helicopter to become increasingly difficult to control before it crashed near the Paringa River mouth on New Zealand's West Coast, according to final findings released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). The accident occurred on July 20, 2024, while an Amuri Helicopters Airbus AS350BA, registration ZK-HJM, was being flown from Queenstown to Franz Josef following maintenance work performed at Queenstown Aerodrome. The helicopter was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Both occupants sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage. According to the investigation, engineers from Salus Aviation had swapped the helicopter's left and right hydraulic servo actuators during scheduled maintenance. However, a critical securing bolt on the lower attachment point of the left-hand hydraulic servo actuator was not properly secured before the aircraft was returned to service. Investigators determined that the associated nut had not been tightened to the required torque and that a locking pin was either missing or incorrectly installed. Although the work was subject to a mandatory duplicate inspection by a second engineer, the defect went undetected. Approximately 52 minutes into the flight, the pilot felt a sudden jolt and observed abnormal main rotor blade tracking. Seven minutes later, concerned by the abnormal indications, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing. During the descent, cyclic control forces increased significantly, particularly when attempting left control inputs. As the helicopter descended to between three and seven metres above the ground, it rolled and collided with terrain before coming to rest on its left side. TAIC found that the securing bolt eventually detached completely during the flight, significantly limiting the pilot's control of the helicopter. The investigation identified several human-factor issues that contributed to the maintenance error. The engineer responsible for the task was reportedly distracted by both a customer interaction and a hydraulic fluid spill while performing the work. Investigators also found the engineer was working under time pressure ahead of a planned holiday and did not sufficiently verify the maintenance task before completion. The second engineer responsible for the duplicate safety inspection also failed to identify the improperly secured hardware. The engineer told investigators they could not explain why the defect was missed but acknowledged experiencing broken sleep at the time, which may have affected performance. Following the accident, Salus Aviation conducted an internal investigation and implemented a series of corrective actions. The company temporarily removed the involved engineers from release-to-service inspection duties, introduced additional training, strengthened inspection and documentation procedures, implemented independent post-maintenance inspections, and established regular assurance audits. Measures aimed at reducing workplace distractions and improving engineering oversight were also introduced. TAIC concluded that the maintenance provider had adequately addressed the safety deficiencies identified during the investigation. As a result, the Commission did not issue any formal safety recommendations.

Investigation

Loose Bolt Left Undetected During Inspection Caused New Zealand Airbus AS350 Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / June 19, 2026

Paringa, New Zealand: A loose maintenance bolt that detached during flight caused an Airbus AS350BA helicopter to become increasingly difficult

EASA

EASA Report Exposes Safety Reporting Divide And Rising Aircrew Fatigue Concerns

Aviation Today News Desk / June 13, 2026

Cologne, Germany: Europe’s aviation safety system remains fundamentally strong, but a newly published report by the European Union Aviation Safety

Aircraft Crashes

French Gendarmerie Helicopter Crashes Near Orléans; One Officer Killed, Two Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / June 8, 2026

Bray-Saint-Aignan, France: A French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed during an operational search mission in the Loiret department on June 7,

Cedar City, United States: A training helicopter operated by the aviation program of Southern Utah University crashed at Cedar City Regional Airport on Saturday morning, leaving a pilot and a student pilot injured and prompting a federal investigation into the accident. According to authorities, the crash occurred on May 23, 2026, at Cedar City Airport in Iron County, Utah. Officers from the Cedar City Police Department responded to the scene after receiving reports of an accident involving an SUU helicopter used for flight training operations. Police said two people were onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, a pilot instructor and a student pilot. Both occupants survived the crash and were transported to Cedar City Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Officials confirmed the helicopter sustained significant damage during the accident. However, no additional injuries were reported on the ground and no other property was damaged. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the helicopter type, registration number, flight phase, or the exact cause of the crash. “We are aware of the accident involving an SUU helicopter at the Cedar City Airport this morning,” SUU public relations director Brooke Heath said in a brief written statement. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority, and we are working closely with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to investigate the incident,” Heath’s statement concluded. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. Federal investigators are expected to examine operational records, maintenance history, weather conditions, pilot training procedures, and wreckage evidence to determine the cause of the crash. Southern Utah University operates one of the largest collegiate helicopter training fleets in the United States through its aviation division based in Cedar City. The university’s rotorcraft training program uses helicopters for commercial pilot, instructor, mountain flying, and emergency procedure training. Cedar City Regional Airport, located about two miles northwest of Cedar City, is a major hub for flight training activity in southern Utah and hosts both fixed-wing and rotorcraft operations. As of now, officials have not released additional details regarding the sequence of events leading to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Helicopter Crash

SUU Flight Training Helicopter Crash In Utah Injures Instructor And Student Pilot

Aviation Today News Desk / May 27, 2026

Cedar City, United States: A training helicopter operated by the aviation program of Southern Utah University crashed at Cedar City

Aligarh, India: A training aircraft belonging to a private flying club made an emergency landing in an agricultural field in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district on Sunday after suffering a technical malfunction during a routine training sortie, with both occupants escaping safely, according to the officials and PTI . The aircraft involved in the incident was identified as a Diamond DA-40, a single-engine, four-seater trainer aircraft bearing registration VT-PFB, which was operating from Dhanipur Airport in Aligarh when the crew reported a mid-air technical snag prompting the pilots to carry out a precautionary landing in a field near Changeyri (also reported as Changari) village under the Harduaganj police station area. Officials said the aircraft belonged to the Pioneer Flying Club, one of the pilot training organisations operating from Dhanipur Airport. The incident occurred during a scheduled training exercise on Sunday morning, with reports placing the emergency landing between approximately 9:30 am and 11 am. The instructor pilot and trainee pilot safely exited the aircraft after the landing and did not suffer injuries. Both were later taken to a district hospital for routine medical examination. Eyewitnesses said panic spread among villagers after they saw the aircraft descending suddenly towards the ground. However, the plane landed safely in the field without causing any damage or injuries. Following the incident, local police, fire brigade personnel and district administration officials rushed to the spot. City Magistrate Atul Gupta and Airport Director Satyavrat also inspected the site. Authorities said the pilots managed to bring the aircraft down safely in the agricultural field without causing casualties or significant structural damage to the aircraft. The successful emergency handling prevented what officials described as a potentially serious accident. City Magistrate Atul Gupta confirmed that airport authorities were informed shortly after the incident and emergency response teams were dispatched to the site. Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) subsequently initiated a probe into the technical malfunction and circumstances leading to the forced landing. Last year, a trainee pilot from Pioneer Flying Club crashed a solo-operated Diamond DA-40 trainer aircraft at Aligarh’s Dhanipur Airstrip after the aircraft reportedly skidded off the runway during landing and slammed into the airport boundary wall. The May 2025 incident occurred during a routine solo training sortie, with trainee pilot escaping unhurt despite the aircraft sustaining heavy damage to its nose and front landing gear. Also, in January 2022, a Cessna 172 aircraft from the same academy made an emergency landing in an agricultural field near Dhanipur airstrip during a night cross-country training session. Both the instructor and trainee pilot survived with minor injuries.

Incidents

Pioneer Flying Club Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing After Mid-Air Technical Snag

Aviation Today News Desk / May 25, 2026

Aligarh, India: A training aircraft belonging to a private flying club made an emergency landing in an agricultural field in

Investigation

AAIB Flags Civil-Military ATC Coordination Lapses In Air India-Navy Helicopter Near Miss

Aviation Today News Desk / May 24, 2026

Port Blair, India: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its final investigation report into a serious midair proximity

Florida, United States: A training aircraft belonging to Florida-based flight school Aamro Aviation was involved in an emergency forced landing Friday afternoon after a reported engine malfunction caused the aircraft to crash into a field near Hobe Sound, Florida, authorities said. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. west of Interstate 95 near Hobe Sound. Deputies and Martin County Fire Rescue crews responded after the aircraft went down in an open dirt field following an apparent loss of engine power. Both occupants, a flight instructor and a student pilot survived the crash and escaped without serious injuries. The aircraft involved was identified as a 2023-built Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP registered as N294PL. The aircraft sustained “substantial damage” during the forced landing after experiencing engine power loss near Tailwinds Airport (FD15). Flight tracking data showed the aircraft departed from North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport before the emergency unfolded. Reports indicated the airplane was operating as a training flight carrying a certified flight instructor and a student pilot at the time of the accident. Photos released from the scene showed the white single-engine aircraft heavily damaged in the field after the emergency landing. Preliminary information from investigators suggests the instructor attempted an off-airport forced landing after the engine malfunction occurred. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate the incident alongside the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the exact cause of the reported engine failure and circumstances leading to the crash landing.

Aircraft Crashes

Flight Instructor & Student Escape Unhurt After Forced Landing Crash Incident

Aviation Today News Desk / May 23, 2026

Florida, United States: A training aircraft belonging to Florida-based flight school Aamro Aviation was involved in an emergency forced landing

aviation investigation

Flight Instructor Dies After Falling From Training Aircraft; Student Lands Safely

Student Pilot And Flight Instructor Killed In Training Aircraft Crash In UAE

11 Killed After Skydiving Aircraft Crashes Shortly After Takeoff In France

Loose Bolt Left Undetected During Inspection Caused New Zealand Airbus AS350 Crash

EASA Report Exposes Safety Reporting Divide And Rising Aircrew Fatigue Concerns

French Gendarmerie Helicopter Crashes Near Orléans; One Officer Killed, Two Injured

SUU Flight Training Helicopter Crash In Utah Injures Instructor And Student Pilot

Pioneer Flying Club Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing After Mid-Air Technical Snag

AAIB Flags Civil-Military ATC Coordination Lapses In Air India-Navy Helicopter Near Miss

Flight Instructor & Student Escape Unhurt After Forced Landing Crash Incident

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