Pilot Debrief

PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN LIMITED BN-2B-27 near Isla de Culebra, PR — 2026-02-22

Investigation ongoingERA26LA137
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Date
2026-02-22
Location
Isla de Culebra, PR, USA
Airport
CPX
Aircraft
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN LIMITED BN-2B-27
Registration
N865VL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On February 22, 2026, at 0915 Atlantic standard time, a Pilatus Brittan-Norman Limited, BN-2B-27 Islander, N865VL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport (CPX), Isla de Culebra, Puerto Rico. The airline transport pilot and eight passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air taxi flight. According to the operator, the flight departed from Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR), Ceiba, Puerto Rico, and was destined for CPX. Following an uneventful landing at CPX, the airplane exited the runway and entered the taxiway. The pilot reported that he was taxiing toward the terminal and performed a second right turn when the airplane experienced a loss of right braking action. The airplane then veered to the left and departed the paved surface of the taxiway onto the adjacent grass area, where it traversed over a drain overflow. The pilot regained control of the airplane and continued to the terminal where the passengers deplaned. The pilot assessed that the airplane sustained minor damage and subsequently flew the airplane to the operator’s maintenance facility for further inspection. During a follow up inspection, maintenance personnel observed that the left wing in the main landing gear well was buckled. Additionally, the right brake caliper seal was leaking. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Runway excursion · Landing-landing roll
  • Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) · Taxi-from runway
View NTSB preliminary report

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