# NTSB CEN26LA191: Vertical Hummingbird, N284ST, Lee's Summit, MO, May 16, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: May 16, 2026, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Lee's Summit, MO
- Coordinates: 38.959097, -94.371895
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9591&lon=-94.3719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA191
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA191

## Preliminary report

On May 16, 2026, about 0950 central daylight time, a Vertical Aviation Technologies 300L Hummingbird helicopter, N284ST, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lee’s Summit, Missouri. One passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot and second passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after completing his initial preflight actions, he departed from his home base in Milan, Missouri, for Trenton Municipal Airport (TRX) in Trenton, Missouri. After refueling at TRX, he then departed to Kansas City/Lee's Summit Regional Airport (LXT), Lee’s Summit, Missouri, to participate in an EAA Young Eagles flight. According to the pilot, the passengers were given a safety briefing after they were loaded into the helicopter. After the engine was started, the engine oil temperature was observed to be within the required range to engage the rotor systems, and the pilot initiated a low hover. The pilot stated that after he turned about 90° to the right and flew south about 15 ft above ground level, the helicopter yawed to the left and fell to the ground. The helicopter impacted sloped terrain and came to rest on its right side, which resulted in substantial damage to its vertical and horizontal stabilizers. Video footage of the accident depicted the helicopter entering translational flight and turning to the right. After about 5 seconds, the helicopter climbed about 15 ft above ground level (AGL). A sudden increase of engine RPM can be heard, followed immediately by a loss of control, during which the helicopter rotated counterclockwise and impacted the terrain. The wreckage was retained for further investigation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [AMD Air 300L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05641PB), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N284ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N284ST), registered now, S/N 2207, built 2025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VERTICAL AVIATION HUMMINGBIRD (300L)
- Registry model: [AMD Air 300L](https://openairdocs.org/model/amd-air-300l) (registry code 05641PB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2207
- Year built: 2025
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amd Air LLC
- Registered owner: Amd Air LLC
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: LXT, Kansas City/Lee'S Summit Rgnl

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KLXT
- METAR: METAR KLXT 161453Z AUTO 16007KT 10SM CLR 24/19 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP089 T02440194 50008 $=

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260516009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260516009169A), May 16, 2026: Amd Air LLC 300L, Lee'S Summit, MO, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter's engine suddenly increased in speed. At the same time, the helicopter immediately yawed to the left, and lost power and…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.