Sukhoi SU-26MX accident near Longmont, Colorado, September 30, 2025
On September 30, 2025 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1991 Sukhoi SU-26MX, registered N25SU, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Longmont, Colorado (Vance Brand airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2025 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Longmont, Colorado · Vance Brand · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sukhoi SU-26MX, built 1991 · all SU-26MXs on the register
- Registration
- N25SU · registry record · serial 5204
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll about 50 mph, the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct back to the right; however, the airplane continued to the left, exited the left side of the runway, and then momentarily became airborne. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that he might have attempted the takeoff with the tailwheel in the unlocked position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 22,202 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 25, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 405 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 10, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,115 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Veeleneev M14P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 4,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from KLMO
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLMO 301655Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/07 A3012 RMK AO2 T02020073=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 13, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� FAA Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.