By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Update: September 15, 2026
Another fatal aviation crash has raised the toll to at least 18 deaths in six crashes over 11 days. The latest crash happened Tuesday morning in northern Alabama.
Pilot killed in Alabama plane crash
A pilot was killed Tuesday morning when a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville, Alabama.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash happened around 6:50 a.m. on September 15. Only the pilot was aboard.
Local authorities identified the pilot as 62-year-old Douglas Emge of Whiton. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause. FAA accident statement.
Six fatal aviation crashes across three countries have left at least 18 people dead in just 11 days.
The crashes occurred between September 5 and September 15, 2026. They involved a family’s private airplane, a cargo jet, a training aircraft, an experimental airplane and two helicopters.
The timing is alarming. However, investigators have not connected the crashes, and no evidence currently points to a common cause.
Four family members killed near Fresno
The deadly stretch began September 5 near Sierra Sky Park Airport in Fresno, California.
A single-engine Grumman American AA-5 crashed shortly after takeoff and caught fire near the San Joaquin River.
Two children died at the scene. Danna Eady, 41, and her husband, Craig Eady, 44, later died from their injuries.
Danna Eady was a certified flight instructor. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Amazon cargo jet overruns Miami runway
One day later, a Boeing 767-300 freighter overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport.
The September 6 crash involved 21 Air Flight 7598, which was operating for Amazon Air after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The jet crossed an airport road, struck vehicles and caught fire. Five people on the ground were killed. Five others were hospitalized, including the two pilots.
NTSB investigators said flight information indicates the jet landed at high speed. The pilots briefly appeared to consider taking off again after touchdown.
The investigation remains underway. Authorities have not announced a final cause.
Read the NTSB investigative update
Two killed in San Diego Cessna crash
A Cessna 172 crashed and caught fire September 7 at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego.
The two people aboard were killed.
The privately operated aircraft crashed on airport property. No one on the ground was reported injured.
Federal investigators are working to determine what caused the airplane to go down.
Flying Doctor helicopter crashes in Malaysia
Five people died September 8 when a BO-105 helicopter crashed near Long Lellang STOLport in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The helicopter was conducting a Flying Doctor Service mission. Those aboard included the pilot and four medical workers traveling to serve remote communities.
Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Authority identified the helicopter as registration 9M-LLF. The country’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating.
Officials have not determined what caused the crash.
Read the official Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia statement
Pilot killed in remote Australian helicopter crash
A helicopter crashed September 12 on a remote pastoral property in South Australia.
Police said the helicopter crashed at Devonborough Downs, approximately 200 kilometers west of Broken Hill.
The 51-year-old pilot was the only person aboard. He died at the scene.
Authorities have not released the helicopter’s type or operator. South Australia Police notified aviation authorities, and investigators are preparing a report for the coroner.
Read the South Australia Police report
What the cluster does—and does not—mean
The six crashes involved different aircraft, missions, operators and locations.
One involved a large cargo jet. Three involved small airplanes. Two involved helicopters.
Investigators are examining each crash independently. It would be premature to suggest the crashes share a cause or prove that aviation has suddenly become less safe.
Investigators will examine factors such as weather, maintenance, pilot actions, aircraft performance and operating procedures. Final findings could take months or longer.
Tammy Rose Reports will continue following each investigation as authorities release confirmed information.
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