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Parkdale, United States: Two people were killed after a small plane crashed near Parkdale in Oregon’s Hood River County on Monday, August 31, 2026 with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set to investigate the accident. The crash was reported at about 11:31 a.m. local time after the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible aircraft accident near Old Parkdale Road. As additional callers reported different possible locations in the upper Hood River Valley, deputies began searching the area. The sheriff’s office aircraft and personnel from the Parkdale Fire Department also assisted in the search. At approximately 12:32 p.m., authorities located the wreckage on private property near an orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The two people aboard the aircraft were found dead at the scene. The victims were identified as James Crain and Scott Perry, both residents of Hood River. The aircraft was identified by the NTSB as a Mooney M20C, a small, four-seat, single-engine aircraft. The available reports do not provide a confirmed account of what happened immediately before the aircraft went down. There has been no official finding indicating whether the crash was caused by a mechanical problem, weather, pilot action or another factor. The NTSB investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the accident and determine its probable cause. Following the discovery of the wreckage, the aircraft was secured at the scene pending the arrival of investigators from the FAA and NTSB. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said additional information would be released as it becomes available. The initial response involved Hood River County sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s office aircraft and Parkdale Fire Department personnel, who searched the upper Hood River Valley after receiving reports of the crash. The search ultimately led authorities to the wreckage near the orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The NTSB subsequently confirmed that it was investigating the crash involving the Mooney M20C. Federal investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, available flight information and other evidence as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. No information reviewed so far indicates that the aircraft was operated by a commercial airline or charter company. The available reports describe it as a small single-engine aircraft. The investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of the fatal crash has not been determined.

Aircraft Crashes

Two Killed As Mooney M20C Aircraft Crashes Near Parkdale In Oregon’s Hood River County

Aviation Today News Desk / September 1, 2026

Parkdale, United States: Two people were killed after a small plane crashed near Parkdale in Oregon’s Hood River County on […]

Pennsylvania, United States: A former New Jersey flight instructor who continued teaching students despite losing his FAA pilot certification has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison following a fatal 2022 training flight crash that killed one of his students and exposed a broader fraud scheme involving a Pennsylvania flight school named ProFlite Aero Services. On June 11, 2026, Philip Everton McPherson II was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for his role in the September 28, 2022 crash of a Piper PA-28-140 near Allentown, Pennsylvania, which claimed the life of a student pilot identified in court documents only as K.K. The sentence followed McPherson's guilty plea in October 2025 to involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of an administrative proceeding, and 40 counts of serving as an airman without a valid certificate. According to federal prosecutors, the accident occurred when McPherson departed Queen City Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as pilot-in-command of a Piper PA-28-140 with student pilot K.K. on board. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed, killing the student pilot. McPherson survived the accident but suffered serious injuries. The crash later became the focus of a federal criminal investigation after authorities discovered that McPherson was not legally qualified to act as pilot-in-command at the time of the flight. Court filings stated that McPherson knew he lacked the competence and legal authority required to safely operate the aircraft. Federal investigators alleged that McPherson had been involved in two prior aircraft accidents and nearly a third incident. He failed an FAA re-examination, commonly known as a "709 ride," on September 29, 2021 due to a lack of demonstrated competence. He voluntarily surrendered his pilot certificate on October 7, 2021. He allowed his Temporary Airman Certificate to expire on November 8, 2021. Despite those circumstances, he continued operating aircraft and instructing students. Prosecutors argued that these actions demonstrated gross negligence and formed the basis for the involuntary manslaughter charge. The investigation found that McPherson continued flying even after surrendering his certification. Federal authorities charged him with 40 counts of serving as an airman without a certificate, alleging that he acted as pilot-in-command on dozens of flights carrying passengers between October 12, 2021 and September 20, 2022 without possessing a valid FAA pilot certificate. Initially, prosecutors said the charges carried a theoretical maximum penalty of 128 years in prison and more than $10 million in fines. As investigators dug deeper into the case, attention turned to ProFlite Aero Services, a Pennsylvania-based flight school where McPherson worked as an instructor. Federal prosecutors alleged that McPherson and flight school owner Nouman Saleem knowingly concealed the fact that McPherson no longer held a valid FAA certificate. According to the superseding indictment, the two men exchanged text messages discussing how to hide McPherson's failed FAA re-examination from students. Investigators alleged that students continued paying for flight instruction despite the instructor lacking the credentials legally required to provide training. Court records state that students paid approximately $101,000 to ProFlite Aero Services for instruction conducted by McPherson. Authorities said those flight hours were effectively invalid because McPherson did not possess a valid FAA pilot certificate during that period. Federal authorities further alleged that McPherson and Saleem attempted to obstruct an FAA administrative proceeding. According to prosecutors, both men submitted false affidavits claiming that FAA personnel had informed them McPherson could continue providing flight instruction despite his certification status. Investigators later concluded those statements were false. The investigation eventually led to criminal charges against ProFlite Aero Services owner Nouman Saleem. In February 2025, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging both McPherson and Saleem in connection with the fatal crash and the alleged fraud scheme. Saleem faced charges including, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruction of an administrative proceeding. On May 21, 2025, Saleem pleaded guilty to all three charges. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to pay $101,528 in restitution to victims affected by the scheme. On October 14, 2025, McPherson pleaded guilty before the U.S. District Judge John M. Gallagher in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The guilty plea covered. one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of obstruction of an administrative proceeding and forty counts of serving as an airman without a certificate. The plea effectively ended the criminal case that began with the fatal 2022 crash. On June 11, 2026, McPherson was sentenced to 78 months (6.5 years) in federal prison, three years of supervised release, a $5,000 fine, $19,530 in restitution and a $4,300 special assessment. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General with substantial assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The case stands out as one of the rare instances in which a fatal flight-training accident resulted not only in aviation-related charges but also in involuntary manslaughter, fraud, and obstruction convictions tied to a broader scheme involving unlicensed flight instruction and deception of paying students.

Aircraft Crashes

Former Flight Instructor Sentenced After Student Pilot Dies In Training Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / June 12, 2026

Pennsylvania, United States: A former New Jersey flight instructor who continued teaching students despite losing his FAA pilot certification has

Washington, United States: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $165,000 against Alaska Airlines after alleging the carrier allowed intoxicated passengers to board multiple flights over a one-year period. According to the FAA, the alleged violations occurred on 11 separate flights between February 2024 and February 2025. Federal aviation regulations prohibit airlines from permitting any individual who appears intoxicated to board an aircraft due to the potential safety and security risks posed during flight operations. The agency announced the proposed enforcement action on May 26, stating that Alaska Airlines now has 30 days from receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the allegations or contest the proposed penalty. While the FAA did not disclose details regarding the specific flights, routes, airports, passengers, or onboard incidents involved, the regulator said the alleged cases were identified during a review of the airline’s policies and procedures concerning intoxicated passengers. In response, Alaska Airlines said it fully cooperated with the FAA’s audit and has already implemented corrective measures aimed at strengthening compliance with federal safety expectations. “We take seriously our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for our guests and employees,” the airline said in a statement. “Since the FAA shared these concerns with us over a year ago, we made meaningful changes to ensure compliance with the FAA’s expectations including enhanced training for all flight attendants and customer service agents.” The airline added that it respects the outcome of the FAA’s audit and remains confident that the changes introduced over the past year have improved adherence to regulatory standards. The proposed penalty marks the latest in a series of FAA enforcement actions involving airline compliance and safety oversight. Under FAA regulations, airlines are responsible for denying boarding to passengers who appear visibly intoxicated. Such rules are designed to reduce the risk of disruptive behavior, onboard disturbances, and potential threats to flight safety.

FAA Proposes Penalty Against Alaska Airlines Over Alleged Intoxicated Passenger Boarding

Aviation Today News Desk / May 29, 2026

Washington, United States: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $165,000 against Alaska Airlines after

United Airlines Jet Near-Miss With Black Hawk Helicopter; FAA Probes Safety Breach SEO DES: Preliminary radar data shows the aircraft came within about 525 ft vertically and 1,400 ft horizontally, notably below standard separation safety limits SOCIAL: A United Airlines Boeing 737 narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk near John Wayne Airport on March 24, 2026, after the helicopter crossed its approach path. The aircraft came within unsafe separation limits before pilots responded to a TCAS alert and landed safely. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into airspace procedures, coordination, and possible violations of visual separation rules. Image: 4300streetcar (Wikimedia) Video: Flight Radar24, United Airlines Santa Ana, United States: A United Airlines passenger jet narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching John Wayne Airport on Tuesday night, prompting a federal safety investigation. The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on March 24, 2026, when United Airlines Flight 589, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from San Francisco, was on final approach when a military helicopter crossed directly in front of its flight path, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Preliminary radar data shows the two aircraft came within roughly 525 feet vertically and about 1,400 feet horizontally, distances significantly below standard separation requirements. Air traffic controllers had alerted the flight crew to nearby helicopter activity moments before the collision. The pilots visually identified the aircraft and received a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) resolution advisory, prompting immediate corrective action. The crew leveled the aircraft and continued the approach, landing safely without incident. The aircraft was carrying 162 passengers and 6 crew members. No injuries were reported, and the helicopter also landed safely. The California Army National Guard confirmed the helicopter was conducting a routine training mission and was operating under Visual Flight Rules along a designated route while maintaining communication with air traffic control. The FAA has launched a formal investigation into the near-miss, focusing on whether existing safety protocols were followed and if the incident violated recently implemented restrictions on “visual separation” between aircraft near major airports. The agency has increasingly moved away from reliance on pilot visual separation in congested airspace, requiring controllers to ensure radar-based spacing after a series of high-risk incidents involving helicopters and commercial aircraft. Investigators are also reviewing air traffic control procedures, coordination between military and civilian aircraft, and whether systemic safeguards functioned as intended prior to the activation of onboard collision-avoidance systems. The incident comes after the fatal mid-air collision on January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk during final approach over the Potomac River. The helicopter, on a night training mission, entered the jet’s flight path at around 300 feet, leading to a collision that killed all 67 people onboard both aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the crash resulted from systemic failures and human error, including the helicopter’s altitude deviation, possible misidentification of traffic, communication gaps, and air traffic control’s reliance on visual separation. The report also cited flawed airspace design and inactive tracking systems, stating the accident was entirely preventable and highlighting the need for stricter separation rules and better coordination between military and civilian operations.

United Airlines Jet Near-Miss With Black Hawk Helicopter; FAA Probes Safety Breach

Aviation Today News Desk / March 27, 2026

Santa Ana, United States: A United Airlines passenger jet narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk

Small Training Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing In Hudson River, 2 Onboard Survive SEO DES: The aircraft, registered To American Airman Inc. was heavily damaged Both occupants were rescued by Coast Guard, Air Guard & police; FAA investigates SOCIAL: A small Cessna 172 training aircraft made a forced emergency landing on the icy Hudson River near the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge on the evening of March 2, 2026. The plane, which departed from Long Island MacArthur Airport, experienced in-flight difficulties and descended into the river around 7:55 p.m.. Both pilot and passenger survived with minor injuries. The aircraft, registered to American Airman Inc., sustained significant damage. A coordinated rescue involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Air National Guard, police, and fire departments. Authorities, including the FAA, are investigating the cause of the emergency landing. Officials praised first responders and likened the rescue to the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson.” The flight had been following the Hudson River corridor, a common route for small aircraft, near Stewart International Airport, about 60 miles north of New York City. New York, United States: A small single-engine aircraft made a forced emergency landing on the icy waters of the Hudson River near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge on the evening of Monday, March 2, 2026, authorities confirmed. The aircraft, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, departed Long Island MacArthur Airport shortly before 7 p.m. local time and was later observed experiencing difficulties in flight, according to flight tracking and public reports. The pilot declared an emergency as the plane approached Stewart International Airport before descending into the Hudson River south of the bridge at around 7:55 p.m.. The aircraft bore the registration N1560E and is listed to American Airman Inc., a flight training organisation headquartered on Long Island, New York. The Cessna 172 is widely used in training and general aviation. Local officials and law enforcement confirmed that both people on board the pilot and a passenger survived the landing. They were recovered from the river and taken to nearby medical facilities. Early assessments indicate only minor injuries, and both individuals are expected to make a full recovery. The incident triggered a rapid and coordinated response from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Air National Guard, state and local police, and fire departments. Emergency teams worked in freezing conditions amid floating river ice to locate and assist the occupants. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus praised the efforts of first responders. Neuhaus referenced the historic 2009 emergency landing on the Hudson of US Airways Flight 1549 dubbed the “Miracle on the Hudson” in commending the successful rescue of the smaller aircraft’s occupants. Initial reports suggest the Cessna sustained significant damage and may not be salvageable, with the wreckage expected to remain submerged and potentially serve as an artificial reef. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances leading to the emergency landing. Official details on the cause whether mechanical failure, power loss, or another contributing factor have not yet been released. Final determination of the sequence of events will be part of the ongoing FAA inquiry. The flight had been transiting northward along the Hudson River corridor, a common route for small aircraft under visual flight rules prior to the emergency. The Hudson River under the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge lies roughly 60 miles north of New York City and is adjacent to general aviation traffic lanes near Stewart International Airport.

Small Training Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing In Hudson River, 2 Onboard Survive

Aviation Today News Desk / March 3, 2026

New York, United States: A small single-engine aircraft made a forced emergency landing on the icy waters of the Hudson

Louisville, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday its preliminary investigation into the Nov. 4 crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville has identified fatigue cracks and areas of overstress failure on the left engine pylon aft mount lug, a structural connection that attaches the engine/pylon assembly to the wing. Investigators said the cracking preceded the accident and likely contributed to the pylon’s structural failure and subsequent separation of the left engine during takeoff. The accident involved MD-11F freighter N259UP, operating a domestic UPS cargo flight from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to Honolulu, which was destroyed after impacting terrain shortly after liftoff. All three crewmembers aboard the aircraft and eleven people on the ground were fatally injured; 23 additional people on the ground were reported injured. The NTSB opened its investigation the day after the accident and recovered perishable data and wreckage for examination. According to the preliminary report, investigators documented evidence of fatigue cracking in the left pylon aft mount lug and signs of overstress on adjacent structure. The report notes that when one side of the pylon support failed from fatigue cracking, the remaining structure could not carry the redistributed load and experienced overstress failure. Investigators are now focused on the component’s maintenance and inspection history to determine why the cracks were not detected. NTSB officials said the discovery of fatigue cracks is a “major clue” in determining how the structural failure began but emphasized the investigation remains ongoing. The NTSB has invited parties including the FAA, UPS, Boeing (which acquired the MD-11 program after merging with McDonnell Douglas), GE Aerospace, and labor representatives to participate in the probe, and it will continue to collect and analyze flight data, maintenance records and metallurgical evidence. A final report is typically issued about a year after an accident. The preliminary finding prompted immediate regulatory and industry responses. Boeing recommended that operators temporarily ground MD-11 aircraft pending further analysis; several carriers, including UPS and FedEx, temporarily removed MD-11s from service. The Federal Aviation Administration issued airworthiness directives that temporarily grounded the MD-11 and the related DC-10 model because of design commonalities affecting the pylon/wing attachment. Local officials and first responders described a scene of intense destruction on impact. Video and photographic evidence included in the NTSB packet show the left engine separating from the aircraft and the airplane striking structures near the airport perimeter before being consumed by post-crash fire. Authorities closed portions of the airport in the immediate aftermath and emergency services responded to multiple ground casualties. Investigators said they will continue metallurgical analysis of the failed pylon components, review the aircraft’s full maintenance and repair history (including recent work performed by third-party repair facilities), and reconstruct load and stress conditions immediately prior to failure. The agency also is reviewing whether inspection protocols for that specific lug/component were adequate given the airplane’s age and usage cycles.

NTSB Finds Fatigue Cracks In MD-11 Pylon Linked To Deadly UPS Flight 2976 Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

Louisville, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday its preliminary investigation into the Nov. 4 crash

California, United States: A scheduled trans‑Pacific trip by Delta Air Lines ended with an emergency diversion on the morning of November 19 after the crew detected a serious engine fault, authorities said. Flight DL 357 departed from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) at approximately 11 :10 p.m. HST the previous evening, bound for Salt Lake City International Airport. On board were 212 passengers and eight crew members. Around four hours into the flight, cruising at 35,000 feet over open ocean, the flight crew reported a fault in one of the aircraft’s two engines and initiated a shutdown of that engine as a precaution. The crew declared an emergency, activating transponder code 7700, to secure priority handling from air‑traffic control. With the fault confirmed and the aircraft operating on a single engine, the decision was made to divert to the nearest suitable airport. The crew elected to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where full emergency and rescue resources could be readily mobilised. The aircraft touched down on Runway 7R just prior to 7:00 a.m. PST and taxied to Gate 3A in Terminal 3. A full fire‑and‑rescue vehicle presence met the aircraft on arrival. Emergency responders carried out an external inspection. No visible structural damage or fire was reported, and all passengers and crew disembarked safely, with no injuries reported. In the aftermath, the Federal Aviation Administration﹙FAA) opened an investigation into the incident, examining the engine fault and reviewing whether maintenance or manufacturing factors played a role. Initial commentary suggests the fault is believed to stem from a mechanical anomaly rather than a maintenance‑shortcoming.

Delta Flight DL 357 Diverts To Los Angeles After Mid-Air Engine Fault, Lands Safely

Aviation Today News Desk / November 20, 2025

California, United States: A scheduled trans‑Pacific trip by Delta Air Lines ended with an emergency diversion on the morning of November 19 after