crash investigation Archives

Nicholasville, United States: A Florida couple was killed after an experimental aircraft crashed into a farm in central Kentucky just minutes after departing Blue Grass Airport on Saturday, June 20, with federal investigators continuing to examine what caused the fatal accident. The victims have been identified as Brian Tonner, 72, and Karen Tonner, 71, according to the Jessamine County Coroner's Office. Coroner Michael Hughes said the married couple, both residents of Florida, were traveling home when the crash occurred on June 20. Authorities said Brian Tonner was piloting a Comp Air CA-6 experimental aircraft while Karen Tonner was onboard as a passenger. The aircraft departed Blue Grass Airport in Lexington at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time and crashed about six minutes later on a farm near Kentucky Route 169, between U.S. 27 and U.S. 68 in Jessamine County, south of Nicholasville. Emergency crews responded shortly after receiving reports of an aircraft accident in the rural area. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft traveled roughly 10 miles after departure and reached an altitude of approximately 3,300 feet before radar contact was lost. Investigators have not determined what caused the aircraft to go down. The aircraft involved was identified as a Comp Air CA-6, an experimental, amateur-built aircraft. Aviation records list the airplane as registration N82BT. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation immediately following the crash. Investigators spent several days documenting the wreckage and collecting evidence from the crash site. The agency said investigators are reviewing multiple factors, including the pilot's flight experience, the aircraft's maintenance and operational history, weather conditions at the time of the accident, air traffic control information, radar data, and witness statements. Officials have not indicated whether the aircraft experienced a mechanical issue before impact. The NTSB said the wreckage will be transported to a secure facility for a more detailed examination once on-site documentation is completed. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft shortly before it crashed, and investigators are continuing to gather statements and any available video footage from the area. The FAA is assisting the NTSB in the investigation. No preliminary cause has been released, and officials cautioned that determining the circumstances behind the crash could take months. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within the coming weeks, while a final report identifying the probable cause of the accident may take considerably longer. The crash remains under investigation.

Florida Couple Killed After Experimental Plane Crashes After Takeoff From Kentucky

Aviation Today News Desk / June 24, 2026

Nicholasville, United States: A Florida couple was killed after an experimental aircraft crashed into a farm in central Kentucky just […]

Sitka, United States: A United States Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed during a routine training mission near Sitka, Alaska, on June 22, injuring all four crew members on board and prompting a formal investigation into the accident. The helicopter, assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, went down near Harbor Mountain, a sparsely populated area several miles outside the southeast Alaskan community of Sitka on Baranof Island. The aircraft was conducting a training flight when the crash occurred, according to Coast Guard officials. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center received notification of the crash at approximately 10:07 a.m. local time. Emergency responders, including Sitka Fire and Rescue personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue crews arrived at approximately 11:00 a.m. and evacuated all four crew members to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center for treatment. No fatalities were reported. Initial reports described the extent of the injuries as unknown. However, Coast Guard officials later confirmed that all four crew members survived and sustained minor injuries. “We are incredibly relieved our crew members survived with only minor injuries,” Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, said in a statement. The Coast Guard identified the aircraft as an MH-60 Jayhawk, the service's primary long-range search-and-rescue helicopter. The helicopter is a military-operated aircraft owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and is routinely used for search-and-rescue missions, medical evacuations, law enforcement operations, and training exercises throughout Alaska and other coastal regions. Officials have not released the identities of the four crew members involved in the accident. Petty Officer Ashly Murphy confirmed that the helicopter was conducting a routine training flight at the time of the crash. In its initial statement, the Coast Guard said: “The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members is our absolute, immediate priority. The cause of the incident is not yet known. A formal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event.” Authorities have not disclosed what led to the crash. There has been no indication of mechanical failure, weather-related factors, operational issues, or human factors, and investigators have not announced any preliminary findings. The accident occurred near Harbor Mountain, a rugged area overlooking Sitka. The region is known for challenging aviation conditions, mountainous terrain, coastal weather systems, fjords, and remote operating environments frequently encountered by Coast Guard aircrews. Following the crash, the Coast Guard said it would conduct a formal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The incident marks the latest serious aviation accident in the United States during June and comes as federal and military investigators continue examining several other recent aircraft crashes across the country.

Aircraft Crashes

Four Survive After US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Crashes Near Sitka During Training

Aviation Today News Desk / June 23, 2026

Sitka, United States: A United States Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed during a routine training mission near Sitka, Alaska,

Laredo, United States: Federal investigators have launched an inquiry after a NetJets-operated Cessna Citation Latitude business jet crashed onto a major highway in Laredo, Texas, on the night of June 16, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The aircraft, identified as a Cessna Citation Latitude (Model 680A), was carrying six people when it went down on Loop 20 near the Clark Boulevard exit and the City Hall Annex shortly before 10:00 p.m. local time. Authorities confirmed one fatality, while the remaining occupants survived the accident with varying injuries. According to local officials, the aircraft was approaching the Laredo area after departing from Los Cabos, Mexico. Preliminary information indicates the flight crew reported mechanical difficulties before communication with air traffic control was lost. Moments later, emergency services received reports that an aircraft had crashed onto the highway. The impact triggered a major emergency response as the jet came to rest on the roadway and caught fire. Witness videos circulating online showed motorists stopping to assist survivors as flames engulfed portions of the aircraft. Several bystanders attempted to gain access to the cabin and cockpit while emergency responders rushed to the scene. Authorities said debris from the aircraft struck at least one vehicle traveling on Loop 20 during the accident. The occupants of that vehicle sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Five officers from the Laredo Police Department were also hospitalized for smoke inhalation after helping remove occupants from the wreckage. Officials later reported that the officers were in stable condition. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities have also not publicly identified the remaining occupants aboard the aircraft. Videos recorded at the scene showed a heavily damaged fuselage with extensive fire damage. Witnesses and first responders were seen assisting passengers out of the wreckage as emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire and secure the crash site. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened an investigation into the accident. The NTSB will lead the inquiry and is expected to examine the aircraft's maintenance history, flight data, cockpit communications, weather conditions, and any potential mechanical issues reported before the crash. At this stage, investigators have not determined the cause of the accident. While early reports indicate the crew reported a mechanical problem before the crash, officials have stressed that it is too early to draw conclusions regarding what led to the aircraft's loss of control and subsequent impact. Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño expressed condolences to those affected and urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators conduct a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Aircraft Crashes

One Killed And Several Injured After Business Jet Crashes Onto Texas Highway In Laredo

Aviation Today News Desk / June 17, 2026

Laredo, United States: Federal investigators have launched an inquiry after a NetJets-operated Cessna Citation Latitude business jet crashed onto a

Mardan, Pakistan: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training aircraft crashed during a routine training mission near Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, killing both military personnel onboard and injuring 3 civilians on the ground, according to Pakistani military officials and local media reports. The aircraft went down in the Jabr Canal-Katlang Road area near Mardan, triggering a large fire and sending thick black smoke into the sky. Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft descending rapidly before impacting the ground and erupting into a fireball, prompting an immediate response from rescue and emergency services. Pakistan's military confirmed that both occupants of the aircraft were killed in the crash. They were identified as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the Pakistan Air Force and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy. The presence of a naval officer onboard indicates the sortie may have formed part of a joint training programme involving personnel from multiple branches of Pakistan's armed forces. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the aircraft was conducting a routine training flight when the accident occurred. A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash. Reports regarding civilian injuries said that 3 civilians sustained injuries from debris, while no civilian fatalities have been reported. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion before seeing flames and smoke rising from the crash site. Rescue personnel and law enforcement agencies quickly secured the area and began recovery operations. Several reports suggested the pilots may have attempted to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas before impact, potentially reducing the scale of civilian casualties. However, this has not been officially confirmed by Pakistani authorities. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed grief over the loss of the two servicemen and extended condolences to their families. The accident occurred less than a week after another major military aviation tragedy in Pakistan, when an Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing 22 military personnel. The back-to-back incidents have renewed attention on military aviation safety and training operations in the country. Pakistan has experienced several military training aircraft accidents over the years, though findings of official investigations are often not publicly released. Authorities have stated that the cause of the latest crash will be determined following the completion of the inquiry.

Aircraft Crashes

PAF Training Aircraft Crashes Near Mardan, 2 Pilots Killed, 3 Civilians Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / June 17, 2026

Mardan, Pakistan: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training aircraft crashed during a routine training mission near Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Edwards, United States: A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 15, 2026, killing all eight people onboard during what officials described as a routine test mission linked to the bomber fleet’s radar modernization program. The aircraft went down at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time in the Mojave Desert shortly after departing Edwards AFB. Emergency crews responded immediately to the crash site, but Air Force officials later confirmed that the accident was not survivable and all eight occupants perished. The crash temporarily halted flight operations at the base while emergency response and recovery efforts were underway. According to the U.S. Air Force, the aircraft was assigned to the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base and was participating in testing associated with the B-52 radar modernization effort. The modernization program is aimed at equipping the long-serving strategic bomber with a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar as part of a broader upgrade package intended to keep the aircraft operational for decades to come. The bomber carried eight people onboard, a larger complement than a standard operational B-52 crew due to its role as a test aircraft. Officials stated that those aboard included a mix of military personnel, government civilian employees and contractor personnel involved in the test mission. Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed in the accident. Authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of the victims pending family notifications. Images and video from the scene showed a large burn scar in the desert and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. Witness footage circulating online indicated the aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire. Reports from the scene suggested little recognizable wreckage remained following the accident. The cause of the crash remains unknown. Air Force officials have launched a formal accident investigation to determine what led to the loss of the aircraft. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance records, mission objectives, weather conditions and any available witness accounts. Officials cautioned that determining the cause could take several months. No evidence has been released indicating mechanical failure, pilot error, engine malfunction or any other specific cause. The B-52 Stratofortress, manufactured by Boeing, first entered service with the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s and remains a key component of America's long-range strategic bomber force. The aircraft is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons and continues to serve worldwide despite its age through an extensive modernization program. The accident marks the first B-52 crash since 2016, when another Stratofortress was destroyed following an aborted takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. In that event, all crew members survived. The Edwards accident is among the deadliest B-52 losses in recent decades and represents a major setback for the Air Force’s ongoing bomber modernization efforts. Edwards Air Force Base, located in California's Mojave Desert, is one of the world's premier military flight-test centers and has played a central role in the development and evaluation of numerous U.S. military aircraft programs. The base is historically known as the site from which many groundbreaking aviation test flights have been conducted. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details, including the identities of those killed and any preliminary findings regarding the cause of the crash, are expected to be released in the coming days and weeks.

Aircraft Crashes

Eight Crew Members Killed After USAF B-52 Crashes During Test Flight Near Edwards AFB

Aviation Today News Desk / June 16, 2026

Edwards, United States: A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in

Marília, Brazil: Two pilots were killed and a third occupant was seriously injured after a twin-engine aircraft crashed onto a football field shortly after takeoff from Marília Airport in the Brazilian state of São Paulo on Wednesday, June 10, authorities said. The accident involved a Beechcraft Baron 58, registration PT-MDB, which departed Frank Miloye Milenkovich Airport in Marília at approximately 11:13 a.m. local time. According to local authorities and airport operator Rede Voa, the aircraft was conducting a test flight and was expected to return to the airport after departure. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into the football field of the Associação Atlética Banco do Brasil (AABB), located adjacent to the airport perimeter. Witnesses reported a post-impact fire, and emergency crews from the Fire Department, Civil Defense and the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) responded to the scene. Two occupants were found dead in the wreckage. Brazilian media identified the victims as pilots Henrique Guariente and Gabriel Maloni. A third occupant, identified in local reports as 28-year-old pilot Pablo, survived the crash and was transported to the Hospital das Clínicas in Marília with serious injuries. Authorities said no injuries were reported on the ground despite the aircraft crashing into a sports facility. Images from the scene showed the aircraft heavily damaged and engulfed in flames following the impact. According to data from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the Beechcraft Baron 58 was manufactured in 1985 and was in normal airworthy condition at the time of the accident. The aircraft carried registration PT-MDB and was listed in the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry as authorized for private operations. Preliminary flight-tracking information indicated that the aircraft remained in the vicinity of the airport after departure and reportedly performed several turns before the crash. However, investigators have not determined whether those maneuvers were related to the accident sequence. The cause of the crash has not yet been established. Brazilian aviation authorities are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, maintenance records, operational history and witness accounts as part of the investigation. Officials emphasized that any conclusions regarding mechanical failure, pilot actions, weather conditions or other contributing factors would be premature until investigators complete their analysis.

Aircraft Crashes

2 Killed, 1 Injured After Beechcraft Crashes Near Marília Airport During Test Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / June 11, 2026

Marília, Brazil: Two pilots were killed and a third occupant was seriously injured after a twin-engine aircraft crashed onto a

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,

Aircraft Crashes

2 Taiwanese Air Force Pilots Killed In Trainer Aircraft Crash During Training Exercise

Aviation Today News Desk / June 2, 2026

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Two veteran Taiwanese Air Force pilots were killed after a Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor training aircraft crashed during

Georgia, United States: A newlywed groom and a helicopter pilot were killed when a helicopter carrying three people crashed in a remote wooded area of North Georgia shortly after departing a wedding venue late Friday night, while the bride survived with injuries, according to family members, company officials and authorities. The couple were Indian-origin Malayalis from families with roots in Kerala. The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 29 near Mt. Vernon Drive in Dawson County, southwest of Dawsonville. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Robinson R66 helicopter carrying three occupants. Family members identified one of the victims as 25-year-old groom Dave Fiji, who had celebrated his wedding only hours before the accident. The surviving passenger has been identified by relatives and local reports as his bride, Jesni Sam. The identity of the pilot has not yet been officially released by authorities. According to investigators, the helicopter had departed from a North Georgia wedding venue and was returning from a late-night flight when it went down in heavily wooded terrain. The aircraft was owned and operated by Prestige Helicopters, an Atlanta-area helicopter company. Emergency crews from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Fire and EMS responded after receiving reports of a possible downed aircraft. The rugged location of the wreckage significantly complicated rescue efforts. Residents near the crash site said first responders were forced to cut through dense forest to access the area. One local resident told television reporters that crews used off-road vehicles and chainsaws to reach the wreckage, while the survivor was not recovered for several hours due to the challenging terrain. Officials confirmed that two occupants died at the scene while the female survivor was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not publicly disclosed details regarding the extent of her injuries. Prestige Helicopters Director of Operations Andy Whitaker confirmed that the crashed helicopter belonged to the company. Whitaker described the accident as unprecedented in the company's history, stating that Prestige Helicopters had maintained a clean safety record for approximately four decades before the fatal crash. Whitaker also said the pilot was familiar with the route and had flown it numerous times previously. While investigators have not determined the cause of the accident, weather conditions are emerging as one area of focus in the early stages of the investigation. Radar data from local weather coverage indicated rain and thunderstorms moving across portions of Dawson County between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday. Witnesses also reported fog in the area around the time of the crash. Prestige Helicopters' operating guidelines state that flights require at least six miles of visibility and a cloud ceiling above 600 feet, and the company does not operate flights during electrical storms or significant wind conditions. At this stage, neither the FAA nor the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified weather as the cause of the accident. Investigators have emphasized that no conclusions have been reached and that the crash remains under investigation. The NTSB is expected to examine weather data, flight tracks, aircraft maintenance records, pilot qualifications, operational procedures and wreckage evidence. The helicopter will be moved to a secure facility for further examination. Federal investigators are also reviewing radar information, air traffic communications and witness accounts as they work to establish the sequence of events leading up to the crash. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within a few weeks, though a final determination of the probable cause could take months or longer.

Helicopter Crash

Newlywed Groom And Pilot Killed In Georgia Helicopter Crash; Bride Survives

Aviation Today News Desk / June 1, 2026

Georgia, United States: A newlywed groom and a helicopter pilot were killed when a helicopter carrying three people crashed in

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

crash investigation

Florida Couple Killed After Experimental Plane Crashes After Takeoff From Kentucky

Four Survive After US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Crashes Near Sitka During Training

One Killed And Several Injured After Business Jet Crashes Onto Texas Highway In Laredo

PAF Training Aircraft Crashes Near Mardan, 2 Pilots Killed, 3 Civilians Injured

Eight Crew Members Killed After USAF B-52 Crashes During Test Flight Near Edwards AFB

2 Killed, 1 Injured After Beechcraft Crashes Near Marília Airport During Test Flight

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

2 Taiwanese Air Force Pilots Killed In Trainer Aircraft Crash During Training Exercise

Newlywed Groom And Pilot Killed In Georgia Helicopter Crash; Bride Survives

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

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