Monday the 18th of May, 2026

NTSB Prelim: Beech 58

A Witness Sitting In The Breezeway Of His Home Observed The Airplane In A Left Bank With A Nose Down Attitude Before It Impacted The Ground

Location: New Market, TN Accident Number: ERA26FA165
Date & Time: April 13, 2026, 13:08 Local Registration: N2063G
Aircraft: Beech 58 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

On April 13, 2026, about 1308 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft 58 multi-engine airplane, N2063G, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near New Market, Tennessee. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The commercial pilot, and airplane owner, was receiving an instrument competency check from the flight instructor when the accident occurred. A preliminary review of ADS-B data revealed that the airplane departed runway 26 at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, TN, about 1241. It then proceeded northeast before turning to the southeast toward the BOTRE intermediate fix associated with the RNAV GPS RWY 10 instrument approach procedure to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) Sevierville, Tennessee. Upon arrival at the BOTRE fix, it made a left turn toward GKT consistent with the approach procedure. The airplane then made a low approach over the runway before it turned north and executed the published missed approach procedure, which included a hold.

The airplane completed one circuit of the holding pattern before turning northwest toward New Market, Tennessee. A review of the last minute of the data revealed the airplane made a right turn toward the northeast as its groundspeed decreased to 17 knots, it then entered a steep descent toward the ground. The last data return was 1308:43 and coincided with the accident site.

A witness sitting in the breezeway of his home observed the airplane in a left bank with a nose down attitude before it impacted the ground. He did not recall hearing any engine noise or observing smoke or fire trailing from the airplane. Another witness was in her yard about 1.75 miles north-northeast of the accident site. She lived near an airport and was familiar with aircraft sounds, reported hearing the airplane fly over the river, and noted that it did not sound normal. Although she did not see the airplane; she stated that it sounded as if it were in a spiral. She further reported that the engine sound changed drastically, alternating between what sounded like full power and idle at 1 second intervals. This occurred several times immediately before she heard the airplane impact the ground.

The airplane impacted a clearing on a shallow hill in a nose-down attitude. Both engines were buried about 4 ft in the ground. The airplane sustained extensive impact damage, was heavily fragmented, and primarily consumed by post-impact fire. All of the airplane’s major components were located at the accident site.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Cessna 170

Pilot Observed An Abnormal Airspeed Indication And Aborted The Takeoff. The Airplane Then Overran The Runway

Location: Summerdale, Alabama Accident Number: ERA26LA101
Date & Time: January 29, 2026, 11:00 Local Registration: N4178V
Aircraft: Cessna 170 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Runway excursion Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: While attempting to take off from a 2,100-ft-long turf runway the pilot observed an abnormal airspeed indication and aborted the takeoff. The airplane then overran the runway, impacted a fence post with the left main landing gear, and nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. After the accident, the pilot suspected that the pitot tube butterfly cover may have become stuck resulting in the erroneous airspeed indication.

Postaccident examination of the airplane’s pitot tube butterfly cover by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Had the pilot aborted the takeoff sooner, or continued the takeoff despite the airspeed indication anomaly, it is likely that the accident could have been prevented.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with a fence post.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: American General Acft Corp AG5B

Following A Momentary Wind Shift, The Airplane Lost More Altitude And It Struck The Tops Of Trees Resulting In Substantial Damage To The Left Wing

Location: Fairfield, New Jersey Accident Number: ERA26LA096
Date & Time: January 15, 2026, 17:15 Local Registration: N59WM
Aircraft: American General Acft Corp AG5B Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported being on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern when a 16 to 24-knot tailwind pushed the airplane further from the runway than he had planned. While on final approach, the airplane was low with a headwind. Following a momentary wind shift, the airplane lost more altitude and it struck the tops of trees resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Despite the impact, the pilot was able to clear the trees and land safely on the runway. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in gusting wind conditions, resulting in an impact with trees prior to the runway.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov