Wednesday the 27th of May, 2026

NTSB Prelim: Cessna T182

(Pilot) Had Recently Received The Airplane From A Broker And Was Preparing To Purchase It

Location: Marion, MT Accident Number: WPR26LA157
Date & Time: April 8, 2026, 13:15 Local Registration: N5475N
Aircraft: Cessna T182 Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 8, 2026, about 1315 mountain standard time, a Cessna T182, N5475N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marion, Montana. Both pilots were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the left seat pilot, he had recently received the airplane from a broker and was preparing to purchase it. Prior to purchasing the airplane, he noted an oil leak and coordinated with the seller to conduct a short local flight to ascertain where the oil was leaking from. The pilot contacted another, more experienced pilot to fly with him.

During the flight, the first pilot was having difficulty maintaining runway centerline during landings so the second pilot performed a landing. During the landing roll the nosewheel began to shimmy, and the pilot flying applied left rudder and brake, however, was unable to maintain centerline. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck a ditch that was adjacent to taxiway, which resulted in substantial damaging both wings.

A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted and the nosewheel bearing was found loose.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II

Pilot Immediately Turned Toward The Site And Initiated A Steep Approach Without Completing The Planned Flyover

Location: Petersville, Alaska Accident Number: ANC25LA099
Date & Time: August 29, 2025, 11:50 Local Registration: N74435
Aircraft: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Settling with power/vortex ring state Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

Analysis: The pilot reported that he was transporting three passengers and their equipment to a remote landing zone (LZ) in mountainous terrain. According to the operator, the helicopter’s estimated gross weight was 2,440 lbs., approximately 60 lbs. below the maximum gross weight of 2,500 lbs.

The pilot stated that a guide onboard the helicopter was directing him to the LZ. He had initially planned to conduct a northwesterly reconnaissance flyover of the landing area; however, he became distracted when the guide pointed out the intended LZ directly ahead. As a result, the pilot immediately turned toward the site and initiated a steep approach without completing the planned flyover.

During the approach, the pilot reported an increasing descent rate. He applied additional collective to arrest the descent, after which the full-throttle annunciator illuminated. Despite the collective being fully raised, the helicopter continued descending and subsequently impacted the ground. The helicopter landed hard and rolled over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and the main and tail rotor drive systems.

Following the accident, the pilot estimated the wind was from the south at approximately 15 to 20 knots. He reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a remote confined area, which resulted in rotor droop and a hard landing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov