search and rescue Archives

Five Killed After Brazil Bell 430 Helicopter Goes Missing And Crashes In Santa Catarina

Aviation Today News Desk / September 23, 2026

Santa Catarina, Brazil: Five people were killed after a Bell 430 helicopter disappeared during a flight in Santa Catarina, Brazil,

Aircraft Crashes

Five Killed After Cessna T206 Crashes In Colombia Returning From Medical Mission

Aviation Today News Desk / September 17, 2026

Pueblo Rico, Colombia: Five people were killed after a Cessna T206 operated by the Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana (PAC) crashed

Agua Boa, Brazil: Three people were killed when a small Cessna 402B crashed and caught fire on a rural property near Água Boa in Brazil's central-western state of Mato Grosso on Thursday, September 10, 2026 according to local authorities. The aircraft was destroyed in the post-impact fire, and investigators are working to establish the circumstances of the crash, the flight's details and the identities of those onboard. The aircraft came down at a rural property about 18–20 kilometres from the urban area of Água Boa. Brazilian reports identified the aircraft as a Cessna 402B, manufactured in 1970, with serial number 402B0035. Later reports linked the aircraft to US registration N401NA, although Brazilian records and images from earlier aircraft sales have also shown other registration markings, including PS-WJR and PS-WJU. The registration discrepancy has not been resolved by authorities and should not be treated as proof of an illegal operation. The aircraft caught fire after the crash and was almost completely destroyed. The Corpo de Bombeiros was called at about 8:50 a.m. local time and used approximately 4,000 litres of water to extinguish the flames. After the fire was brought under control, firefighters found three bodies in the wreckage. The bodies were taken for forensic examination, while the Polícia Civil, Polícia Militar and Perícia Oficial e Identificação Técnica (Politec) worked at the site. Police initially said the condition of the wreckage made it impossible to identify the victims or determine key details of the flight. Delegado Carlos Alberto, who was handling the occurrence, said: “The state in which the aircraft was found initially made its identification impossible. For this reason, it was not possible, so far, to confirm information about any flight plan, the aircraft's place of origin or destination, nor the identity of the people who were onboard.” Later reporting established that three people were onboard, with all three confirmed dead. However, their names have not been officially released in the latest reports reviewed for this update. Earlier reports had used the wording “at least three killed” because authorities had initially been unable to determine the total number of occupants. The aircraft's operational purpose and operator also remain unconfirmed. Reports have not established whether it was conducting a private, charter, cargo or other type of flight. Likewise, authorities had not officially confirmed its departure point, intended destination or whether a flight plan had been filed. One local report claimed the aircraft may have departed from an airfield in Goiânia, but that detail has not been independently confirmed by the authorities and should therefore not be presented as established fact. Brazil's Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA) was notified and is expected to participate in the complementary investigative work alongside the police and forensic authorities. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and there is currently no confirmed evidence identifying mechanical failure, weather, pilot action or another specific factor as the cause. Investigators are expected to examine the wreckage, aircraft documentation, registration history, possible flight-plan information and forensic evidence as they establish what happened before the Cessna 402B crashed and caught fire in rural Água Boa.

Aircraft Crashes

Three Killed After Cessna 402B Crashes And Catches Fire In Brazil’s Mato Grosso

Aviation Today News Desk / September 11, 2026

Agua Boa, Brazil: Three people were killed when a small Cessna 402B crashed and caught fire on a rural property

Alaska, United States: Four people were rescued after a Cessna 180 crashed and overturned on a coastal sandbar on Alaska’s Montague Island on August 30, 2026 with Alaska Air National Guard personnel responding to the remote site and transporting all four occupants to a hospital in Anchorage. The crash occurred on a coastal sandbar on Montague Island, about 60 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska, according to the Alaska National Guard. The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 180 carrying four people. The official report did not release the occupants’ names, the aircraft’s registration, the exact flight route or a specific cause of the crash. The rescue operation began after the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson received a signal from the aircraft’s 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The ELT was registered to the owner of the Cessna 180, allowing authorities to identify the aircraft associated with the emergency signal. The people involved in the incident also had a consumer-grade two-way satellite communication device. According to the Alaska National Guard, the device helped maintain the flow of information with the AKRCC and assisted rescuers in obtaining a more precise location of the crash site. Following the alert, the AKRCC requested assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing search-and-rescue duty officer. A HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron was dispatched with pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron, commonly known as PJs, aboard. When the rescue team reached the crash site, the Cessna had overturned. Despite its position, the aircraft appeared to be seemingly undamaged, and the four occupants had managed to get themselves out before the pararescuemen reached them. The rescue operation required additional caution because the aircraft had come down on a coastal sandbar. Flying sand and beach debris posed a hazard to the helicopter, so the HH-60W crew landed at a safe distance from the crash site rather than directly next to the occupants. The pararescuemen then made contact with the four people and assessed their condition. One occupant had suffered a back injury. The PJs stabilized the injured person using a vacuum splint and cervical collar before securing the occupant in a Stokes litter for helicopter transportation. The HH-60W crew subsequently flew the injured occupant and the other three people to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. They were handed over to civilian medical personnel at the hospital. The Alaska National Guard said the incident also demonstrated the importance of reliable emergency-location and communication equipment during aircraft emergencies in remote areas. AKRCC officials urged aircraft owners to keep their 406 MHz ELT registrations current and encouraged pilots to carry an additional satellite communication device to help speed up rescue operations. The Alaska National Guard reported that all four occupants were rescued from the crash site and transported for medical care. The agency did not provide further information on the occupants’ identities or disclose what caused the Cessna 180 to crash.

Aircraft Crashes

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four After Cessna 180 Crash On Montague Island

Aviation Today News Desk / September 3, 2026

Alaska, United States: Four people were rescued after a Cessna 180 crashed and overturned on a coastal sandbar on Alaska’s

Alaska, United States: A twin-engine Cessna 441 charter aircraft carrying eight people crashed near the remote Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in western Alaska on Thursday, August 20, while approaching Cape Newenham. The aircraft, operated by Security Aviation, had departed Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was headed to Cape Newenham when it went down west of Cape Newenham LRRS Airport at about 12:15 p.m. local time. NTSB Alaska region chief Clint Johnson confirmed that two pilots and six passengers were aboard, but officials had not released their condition or confirmed any fatalities or survivors at the time of reporting. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center launched a search-and-rescue mission after receiving a report of an “aircraft incident” near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site. Johnson, the NTSB’s Alaska region chief, provided the passenger and crew count to The Associated Press and said he did not immediately have details on the status of those aboard. AP reported that Johnson said the aircraft was believed to have crashed early Thursday afternoon while on approach to Cape Newenham. “The information received so far is preliminary,” Johnson said. According to the FAA, the aircraft crashed west of Cape Newenham LRRS Airport at 12:15 p.m. local time. The Cessna 441 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Security Aviation, an Anchorage-based charter operator, lists the Cessna 441 Conquest II among its fleet and says the aircraft is suited for operations across Alaska, including airports with gravel runways and challenging weather and airport environments. The aircraft was believed to have gone down during its approach to Cape Newenham rather than after landing. However, authorities have not disclosed what caused the aircraft to crash, whether the crew issued an emergency call, whether there was a mechanical problem, or what the weather conditions were at the time of the accident. None of those factors has been identified by investigators as a cause. The crash occurred near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, a remote facility in western Alaska. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center said it began a search-and-rescue operation after receiving a report of an “aircraft incident” in the area. Authorities had not publicly confirmed whether rescuers had reached all eight occupants, whether anyone had survived, or whether there were fatalities. NTSB officials also had not released the identities of the pilots or passengers. The lack of information was attributed in part to the remote location of the crash site and the early stage of the response. The NTSB is leading the investigation, with the FAA assisting. Investigators are expected to establish the aircraft’s flight path, examine the wreckage and determine what led to the crash. No cause has been announced, and the NTSB has stressed that the information available so far remains preliminary.

Aircraft Crashes

Cessna 441 Charter Plane Crashes In Alaska, Killing All Eight People On Board

Aviation Today News Desk / August 21, 2026

Alaska, United States: A twin-engine Cessna 441 charter aircraft operated by Security Aviation crashed near the remote Cape Newenham Long

Aircraft Crashes

Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash In Kenya’s Samburu County During Safari Charter Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / August 20, 2026

Samburu County, Kenya: A Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters crashed in northern Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday,

Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing over the Arabian Sea late on July 7 after reporting a technical problem while en route from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi. As of the latest official update on July 8, authorities have not confirmed a crash, and an extensive multi-agency search and rescue operation remains underway. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Boeing 737 freighter was operating a scheduled cargo service from Sharjah to Karachi when the crew reported a navigational system issue at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Air traffic controllers at the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately began assisting the flight. In an official statement, the PAA said, "K2 Airways B737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight en route from Sharjah to Karachi at time 2118 PST reported a navigational system issue and was promptly guided by Karachi ACC." However, only three minutes later, the situation deteriorated rapidly. The authority said that at 9:21 p.m. PST, radar displayed the aircraft making a rapid descent along with a sharp change in heading before both radar and radio contact were lost. The aircraft's last known position was approximately 155 nautical miles (287 km/178 miles) west of Karachi over the Arabian Sea. The PAA stated, "However, at 2121 PST, aircraft were observed on radar rapidly descending and with rapid heading change, subsequently radar contact and communication was lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi." The missing aircraft was a Boeing 737 cargo aircraft operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, a Pakistani cargo airline that commenced operations in late 2024. Early flight-tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed the aircraft experiencing a series of abrupt altitude changes before entering a steep final descent. While those data have led to speculation that the aircraft may have crashed into the sea southwest of Karachi, Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed a crash. Immediately after communication was lost, Pakistan activated its Rescue Coordination Center, launching a coordinated search operation in the Arabian Sea. The search involves multiple agencies, including the: Pakistan Navy Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) Rescue Coordination Center Merchant vessels operating in the area According to official updates and Associated Press, the operation includes a Pakistan Navy frigate, a naval ATR maritime patrol aircraft, additional naval and air assets, and nearby commercial ships that have been directed to assist in locating the aircraft and its crew. The Pakistan Airports Authority said, "Following the occurrence, the Rescue Coordination Center was activated, and a coordinated Search & Rescue operation at sea was launched through various agencies to locate the missing aircraft." Authorities have confirmed that five crew members were on board. No passengers were being carried. K2 Airways has identified the five crew members on board as Pilot-in-Command Mohammad Rizwan Idrees, First Officer Faisal Mehmood, Load Master Muhammad Toufique Khan, and Engineers Arif Siddiqui and Mohammad Hamid. No wreckage, emergency locator beacon signals, debris, or survivors have been officially located, and the cause of the aircraft's disappearance remains unknown. K2 Airways said it is fully cooperating with investigators and government agencies. In a statement shared by the airline, it said, "We continue to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues." Aviation analyst Imran Aslam told the Associated Press that the aircraft's sudden descent was unusual, noting that even following an engine failure, an aircraft would typically continue gliding rather than descend so rapidly, adding further uncertainty about what may have occurred during the flight's final moments. The incident is now expected to be investigated by Pakistan's aviation authorities once the aircraft is located. Until then, officials have urged against speculation while search teams continue combing the Arabian Sea.

Incidents

Pakistan Cargo Missing Over Arabian Sea With Five Crew On Board After Technical Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / July 8, 2026

Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing over the Arabian Sea late on

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.

Incidents

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

Incidents

US Navy Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Arabian Sea; One Crew Member Missing

Aviation Today News Desk / July 2, 2026

United States: A United States Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)

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,

search and rescue

Five Killed After Brazil Bell 430 Helicopter Goes Missing And Crashes In Santa Catarina

Five Killed After Cessna T206 Crashes In Colombia Returning From Medical Mission

Three Killed After Cessna 402B Crashes And Catches Fire In Brazil’s Mato Grosso

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four After Cessna 180 Crash On Montague Island

Cessna 441 Charter Plane Crashes In Alaska, Killing All Eight People On Board

Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash In Kenya’s Samburu County During Safari Charter Flight

Pakistan Cargo Missing Over Arabian Sea With Five Crew On Board After Technical Issue

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

US Navy Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Arabian Sea; One Crew Member Missing

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

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