US aviation accident Archives

Gulfport, United States: A small instructional aircraft from Apollo Flight Training and Aircraft Management plunged into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night after losing contact with air traffic controllers, authorities and the flight-school owner said. Two people on board a flight instructor and a student working toward their commercial license are presumed dead. The aircraft, a single-engine Cessna, departed from Million Air in Gulfport around 5:45 p.m. Monday, bound for a training approach to New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Radio contact was lost around 6:23–6:40 p.m., roughly four miles offshore over the lake. Search efforts by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), along with local agencies including wildlife and fisheries and parish sheriff’s offices, began shortly after the plane disappeared from radar. A MH-60 helicopter and a 29-foot Coast Guard boat were deployed from the New Orleans station. During the overnight search, crews recovered debris believed to belong to the aircraft including what appeared to be a seat cushion, and later what may have been part of the landing gear. Divers also reported a sonar hit in the search area, and teams observed water discoloration consistent with a crash. The owner of Apollo Flight Training, Michael Carastro, described the crash as “an unimaginable tragedy.” He confirmed the debris matched distinctive characteristics of their Cessna, and said based on maintenance and inspection records, mechanical failure appears unlikely. He also stated no distress call was received prior to the crash. Carastro noted the instructor aboard was “highly qualified,” with between 1,200 and 1,300 flight hours, and the student was working toward a commercial/instrument rating. He added that flying over water, particularly at night, carries additional risks: “you don’t have clear horizons, you get vertigo,” making spatial disorientation a possibility. But Carastro refrained from speculating on the cause until investigators completed their work. At present, the wreckage has not been recovered. The USCG, local agencies, and volunteer organizations continue search operations. Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been initiated; authorities emphasize it is premature to draw conclusions about the cause of the crash.

Instructor, Student Feared Dead After Apollo Cessna Crashes In Lake Pontchartrain

Aviation Today News Desk / November 26, 2025

Gulfport, United States: A small instructional aircraft from Apollo Flight Training and Aircraft Management plunged into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night […]

Dartmouth, United States: A fiery plane crash on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, claimed the lives of a Rhode Island couple early Monday morning. The victims have been identified as 68-year-old Thomas Perkins and his 66-year-old wife, Agatha, both of Middletown, Rhode Island. The crash occurred around 8 a.m. after the couple's Socata TBM 700 aircraft, a single-engine turboprop, took off from New Bedford Regional Airport. According to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, the couple was found in the fuselage and pronounced dead at the scene. A woman driving a silver Hyundai Sonata was injured when part of the plane struck her vehicle. She was transported to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released. Aviation experts suggest that the pilot may have been attempting to return to New Bedford Regional Airport but faced mechanical issues, leading to the decision to land on or near the highway. Tom Kinton, former CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority, commented, "That's the first thing you look for is a pasture or a highway to get that plane down, and maybe they were trying to do it." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. Initial reports indicate that the pilot did not file a flight plan or provide information about the number of people aboard the aircraft. The crash occurred amid a nor'easter that brought strong winds and rain to the region. New Bedford Regional Airport remained open, but many commercial and private flights were canceled due to the storm. Interstate 195 was closed in both directions for several hours. The center and right lanes on the eastbound side reopened at about 2:45 p.m., while all lanes on the westbound side reopened shortly before 3:15 p.m. The left lane on eastbound I-195 remained closed as of 6:30 p.m. The aircraft involved in the crash was owned by Easton Air, LLC, based in Middletown, Rhode Island. The FAA and NTSB are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.

Aircraft Crashes

Rhode Island Couple Killed After Plane Crashes On Massachusetts Highway I-195

Aviation Today News Desk / October 15, 2025

Dartmouth, United States: A fiery plane crash on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, claimed the lives of a Rhode Island

North Carolina, United States: A small private plane crashed in a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Macon County on Thursday afternoon, killing all three people on board. Authorities have confirmed that the deceased include award-winning Nashville songwriter Brett James, 57. The Cirrus SR22T aircraft (tail number N218VB) went down shortly after 3 p.m. local time on September 18, just west of the school grounds in Franklin. The aircraft is registered to James and had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier that day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Macon County Sheriff’s Office and local media reports confirmed the fatalities. Songwriter Brett James, whose career spanned more than two decades, was among those killed. He was known for penning hits including “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood) and “When the Sun Goes Down” (Kenny Chesney). James’s passing has sent shockwaves through the Nashville music community, where he was regarded as one of the most versatile and prolific writers of his generation. His songs, often blending country and pop influences, earned him Grammy Awards and recognition from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. The identities of the two other victims have not yet been officially released. While the crash site was close to Iotla Valley Elementary School, officials confirmed that no students or staff were injured. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the wreckage was located in a field adjacent to the school and did not impact school property. Parents and staff were quickly notified, and emergency crews secured the area. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the accident. The North Carolina Highway Patrol assisted local law enforcement in securing the crash site. The FAA is expected to release a preliminary accident report within the next few days, though full investigations can take months. Brett James’s career began as a recording artist before he transitioned to songwriting, where he built a reputation for crafting chart-topping hits across multiple genres. Beyond country music, he collaborated with artists in pop and rock, including Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Clarkson. His songwriting not only brought him industry acclaim but also cemented his influence on Nashville’s modern sound. In addition to writing, James was active in mentoring young musicians and was deeply respected within Music Row’s creative community. According to the FAA, small private aircraft like the Cirrus SR22T are among the most commonly flown in the U.S., and while equipped with advanced safety features including parachute recovery systems accidents still occur.

Aircraft Crashes

Grammy-Winning Nashville Songwriter Brett James Among 3 Dead in Plane Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / September 19, 2025

North Carolina, United States: A small private plane crashed in a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Macon County

US aviation accident

Instructor, Student Feared Dead After Apollo Cessna Crashes In Lake Pontchartrain

Grammy-Winning Nashville Songwriter Brett James Among 3 Dead in Plane Crash

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