LEADING EDGE AVIATION INC
Also recorded as: LEADING EDGE AVIATION INC, Leading Edge Aviation
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
16 records, spanning 1990–2020.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation Inc (per NTSB report)
The left seated flight instructor’s improper manipulation of the landing gear position selection lever to the up position while still on the landing roll, which ultimately resulted in a landing gear collapse during a subsequent landing.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation, Inc. (per NTSB report)
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a runway with icy patches, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation LLC (per NTSB report)
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot’s reliance on the fuel gauge that was displaying an incorrect fuel amount due to the separation of the fuel transmitter float pin guide from the float.
Operated by LEADING EDGE AVIATION INC (per NTSB report)
The insufficient right main landing gear (MLG) down-lock tension due to maintenance personnel's failure to perform a rigging procedure during the airplane's most recent inspection, which resulted in the right MLG collapsing during landing.
Operated by LEADING EDGE AVIATION INC (per NTSB report)
The pilot's failure to land with sufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue during the flight.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
The pilot's failure to ensure that the helicopter was properly loaded, which resulted in the helicopter being in excess of its maximum allowable gross weight and led to a loss of main rotor rpm on takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the ground crewman's inadvertent overloading of the helicopter and the design of the spray tank's visual sight glass, which did not allow the pilot to visually verify the amount of the spray tank load without exiting the helicopter.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation, Inc. (per NTSB report)
A total loss of engine power due to a rapid throttle change during autorotation, which the flight instructor initiated in response to a low rotor rpm warning, which resulted from the separation of one of the magnets used to provide rotor rpm indications from the rotating transmission yoke. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's aft cyclic input upon landing.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
The failure of the maintenance technicians who installed the engine to properly tighten the fuel injection servo to a spider supply line, which caused a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
The complete loss of power in one engine due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to reposition the cross-feed valve prior to takeoff and the flight instructor's failure to monitor the pilot's actions. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's failure to monitor the fuel level during the flight and his decision to turn left (into the failed engine) after the loss of power.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation Inc. (per NTSB report)
The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition while he was descending, and his improper initial remedial action.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 bearing for undetermined reasons.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper use of the mixture control. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind and high density altitude.
Operated by Leading Edge Aviation (per NTSB report)
An excessive descent rate during a simulated power-off autorotation, and the pilot's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.
Operated by LEADING EDGE AVIATION, INC. (per NTSB report)
The pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing resulting in the overload failure of the nose gear and the airplane nosing over.
Operated by LEADING EDGE AVIATION, INC. (per NTSB report)
FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT.
Operated by LEADING EDGE AVIATION (per NTSB report)
ONE OR MORE OF THE F-16 PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THROTTLES BEFORE BEING CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF.
FAA enforcement actions
Sanction: $5,065 · case closed 2023-01-03
Sanction: $6,000 · case closed 2024-04-18
Sanction: $11,000 · case closed 2015-12-23
Maintenance disclosure history
Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.
Reports span 2026–2026. Most-reported systems: Electrical power (24) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: OTHER — 1.
1 report on file.
Part: BRUSHES — WORN (START GEN) · airframe 2,521 hrs · 6,399 cycles
FOUND ONE BRUSH ONLY OF FOUR, WORN TO METAL, CONTACTING ARMATURE. STARTER / GENERATOR, BELL P/N: 206-062-200-113, MFR P/N: 23081-018
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N1125X | PIPER PA-28R-200 | 1975 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N117LE | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | 2007 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N16869 | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N203LE | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | — | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N219LE | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | 2006 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N233GW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N235GW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N3123L | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N316CF | BELL 206B | 1977 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N3276T | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N331GP | PIPER PA-44-180 | 1979 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N369BD | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N392GP | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N407WF | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 407 | 2012 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N410TD | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 407 | 2012 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N442RN | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | 2006 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N516LE | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 | 1978 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N601GM | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 | 1981 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N707WH | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N727P | BEECH F33A | 1973 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N73707 | CESSNA 172N | 1976 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N7425T | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | 2006 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N74681 | — | — | Matched by certificate designator | |
| N807LE | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II | 2005 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N9187G | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N9312U | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.
- N727P (BEECH F33A) — records 2020 · registered to LEADING EDGE FLIGHT ACADEMY LLC (owner ≠ operator)
- N73707 (CESSNA 172N) — records 2020 · registered to LEADING EDGE FLIGHT ACADEMY LLC (owner ≠ operator)
- N369BD — records 2016 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N3123L — records 2015 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N1125X (PIPER PA-28R-200) — records 2015 · registered to APM LEASING LLC (owner ≠ operator)
- N442RN (ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II) — records 2013 · registered to POPE JIM D (owner ≠ operator)
- N392GP — records 2013 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N235GW — records 2011 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N331GP (PIPER PA-44-180) — records 2010 · registered to DODSON INTERNATIONAL PARTS INC (owner ≠ operator)
- N16869 — records 2009 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N3276T — records 2008 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N233GW — records 2008 · no longer on the FAA registry