What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
The private pilot informed his spouse that he was going on a flight to practice autorotations. During the practice, the aircraft was observed via ADS-B tracking to be in a rapid descent. The aircraft struck a known object, causing it to break apart. The damage to the aircraft was substantial, and the pilot was fatally injured.
A review of the aircraft records showed that it had proper certification and a current inspection status. The pilot's records confirmed the correct certification.
The engine and gearbox are currently at the NTSB facility undergoing analysis. Results are expected in early 2026. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
As the FAA filed it
THE PRIVATE PILOT INFORMED HIS SPOUSE THAT HE WAS GOING ON A FLIGHT TO PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS. DURING THE PRACTICE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED VIA ADS-B TRACKING TO BE IN A RAPID DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A KNOWN OBJECT, CAUSING IT TO BREAK APART. THE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIAL, AND THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.
A REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS SHOWED THAT IT HAD PROPER CERTIFICATION AND A CURRENT INSPECTION STATUS. THE PILOT'S RECORDS CONFIRMED THE CORRECT CERTIFICATION.
THE ENGINE AND GEARBOX ARE CURRENTLY AT THE NTSB FACILITY UNDERGOING ANALYSIS. RESULTS ARE EXPECTED IN EARLY 2026. UPDATES WILL BE PROVIDED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.