What Caused the Fatal Robinson R66 Crash and King Air Disaster in New Reports?

Preliminary and final reports detail several recent tragic events. These business aircraft accident reports cover late 2025 and early 2026. They highlight persistent risks in general aviation operations.

Fatal Robinson R66 Crash in Montana

A Robinson R66 fatal crash claimed four lives in October 2025. The helicopter went down near Ekalaka, Montana. It was operating a Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, his wife, and two children were killed.

Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter fly low over the Chalk Buttes Range. One witness saw the aircraft climb, then "something came off it". It then descended rapidly out of sight. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause. Investigators noted the small wreckage area. They also noted missing main rotor blades in the preliminary report. This suggests a possible in-flight breakup or mast bumping.

King Air Disaster During Relief Mission

A Beechcraft B100 King Air accident occurred in November 2025. The twin turboprop crashed in Coral Springs, Florida. The aircraft had just departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE). It was on a critical hurricane relief mission flight to Jamaica.

Both the pilot and passenger were killed. They were carrying 1,000 pounds of emergency supplies. Volunteers reported that most cargo was stowed unsecured. Preliminary ADS-B data showed a rapid acceleration and descent. Air traffic control recorded sounds of "heavy breathing and 'grunting'". The aircraft entered a steep nose-down attitude before impact. Investigators are looking at cargo loading and weather conditions.

Final Report on Hawker Jet Stall Test

The NTSB also released its final report on a fatal Hawker jet stall test accident. This incident involved a Hawker 900XP in February 2024. The final report highlights flight crew training gaps and procedural violations. The crew performed the post-maintenance stall test in known icing conditions. This directly violated the Pilot's Operating Manual (POM).

Ice contamination degraded the wing's performance. This caused the stall to occur without warning. The stall happened simultaneously with the stick shaker activation. The crew's incorrect recovery inputs aggravated the stall and spin. The NTSB urged Textron Aviation (Textron Aviation) to improve guidance.

Industry Safety Focus

These events underscore the persistent challenges in commercial aviation safety. General aviation (GA) fatal accidents remain a major focus for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). GA fatal accident rates for the current fiscal year are trending lower. However, October 2025 was reported as the deadliest month.

• The King Air accident highlights the critical need for secure cargo in relief flights.
• The R66 crash renews focus on low-altitude helicopter maneuvering risks.
• The Hawker report emphasizes strict adherence to maintenance test procedures.
• Better pilot training is necessary for high-risk flight profiles.

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