Wellington, New Zealand: Two experienced aviation and hunting professionals were killed after a chartered helicopter crashed in remote alpine terrain […]

Santa Catalina Island, United States: A light aircraft carrying two onboard crashed in a remote area of Santa Catalina Island on Thursday afternoon, killing both occupants, according to U.S. aviation authorities and local officials. The aircraft, identified as a 2014 Airplane Factory Sling, had departed from Zamperini Field at approximately 10:53 a.m. local time and was en route to the island when the crash occurred. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft was last observed near Avalon around 11:13 a.m., before crashing roughly an hour later, between 12:20 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. in rugged terrain on the island’s southern side. Emergency response teams from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and local sheriff’s units were dispatched to the scene. Due to the difficult-to-access location, paramedics were among the first responders to reach the crash site, where both individuals aboard were pronounced dead. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes the island, described the incident as a tragedy and extended condolences to the victims’ families. She also commended emergency personnel for their swift response in challenging terrain, noting their professionalism in handling the situation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. Preliminary flight data indicates the aircraft had been operating frequently in the days leading up to the crash, including recent flights to nearby locations such as Carlsbad and prior trips to Catalina Island in late March. No distress call was reported before the aircraft went down, based on available tracking information. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation into the accident. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage.

Aircraft Crashes

Two Killed After Light Aircraft Crashes In Remote Terrain On Santa Catalina Island

Aviation Today News Desk / April 10, 2026

Update: 13th April, 2026 The two victims killed in the Catalina Island plane crash have been identified as Daniel Sarner,

Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities confirmed on Friday that all 10 victims from the fatal crash of an Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) ATR 42-500 turboprop aircraft have been recovered, concluding a seven-day search and rescue operation on the steep slopes of Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi. The aircraft, registered PK-THT, disappeared from radar on January 17 while on a maritime surveillance mission for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. It was en route from Adisutjipto Airport, Yogyakarta, to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar when contact was lost during its final approach. Rescue teams, comprising personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), military, police, and volunteers, faced rugged terrain, steep ravines, dense fog, and volatile weather throughout the operation. Bodies were found in scattered locations on the mountainside and transported to forensic specialists in Makassar for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) procedures. By Friday morning, the 10th and final victim had been located, marking the official end of the recovery phase. Authorities expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated support for identification and repatriation processes. A key breakthrough in the investigation came with the recovery of the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) from the wreckage. A joint SAR team located both units intact in the tail section of the aircraft on January 21, despite adverse weather delaying initial access. Following extraction from the crash site, the devices were secured and transported to a checkpoint in Tompobulu village, before being handed over to the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), Indonesia’s official air accident investigation authority. Basarnas Chief Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii confirmed that the recorders will be analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash. Earlier in the response, the KNKT classified the crash as a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) incident, indicating the aircraft was under control when it impacted the mountain slope although classification does not imply pilot intent or assign fault. The investigation team has not yet publicly disclosed a definitive cause, citing the ongoing analysis of flight recorder data and other evidence. The ATR 42-500 turboprop was conducting a routine surveillance mission in support of fisheries and maritime resource monitoring when it vanished. Initial reports indicated 10 people on board, including seven crew members and three passengers from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The mountainous crash zone spans portions of Maros and Pangkajene and Islands regencies, complicating early rescue efforts and driving a multi-agency coordinated response.

Investigation

Search Ends After All 10 Victims Are Found In Indonesia ATR-42 Crash In Sulawesi Mountains

Aviation Today News Desk / January 25, 2026

Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities confirmed on Friday that all 10 victims from the fatal crash of an Indonesia Air Transport

Helicopter Crash

Oregon Pilot And Three Nieces Killed In Arizona Helicopter Crash Hours Before Wedding

Aviation Today News Desk / January 5, 2026

Arizona, United States: A helicopter crash in remote terrain east of Phoenix claimed the lives of a seasoned Oregon pilot

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remote terrain crash

Two Onboard Killed In Chartered Helicopter Crash In New Zealand National Park