Accident · 2026-02-21
What the record says
- Event date
- 2026-02-21
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Minor injury
- Aircraft
- HUGHES 269A (N1020S)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- Tactical Turtle LLC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Tactical Turtle LLC
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s failure to identify the excess power required to lift off from soft and muddy ground, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with a hangar during takeoff.
Source: NTSB case ERA26LA122Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight instructor pilot flying | Flight instructor / Commercial | Helicopter | 49 | Class 2 (2026-01-12) | 7,544 total · 628 in this make/model · 7,420 as PIC · 79 last 90 days |
| Student pilot pilot flying | Student | None | 52 | Class 2 (2025-02-18) | 62 total · 34 in this make/model · 15 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.