Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near Big Bear, CA — 2026-02-24

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA107
Sign in to save
Date
2026-02-24
Location
Big Bear, CA, USA
Airport
L35
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N811LE
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 23, 2026, at 1800 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-30, N811LE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Bear, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported an uneventful flight from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF), San Diego, California, to Big Bear City Airport (L35), Big Bear, California. Upon arrival at L35, the pilot extended the landing gear and saw that the nose landing gear was extended down, but the green landing gear light was not illuminated. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid down the runway, which resulted in damage to the fuselage undercarriage. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Landing gear collapse · Landing-flare/touchdown
View NTSB preliminary report

Related mishaps