Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2B-27 accident near Isla De Culebra, Puerto Rico, February 22, 2026
On February 22, 2026 at about 9:15 am local time, a 1987 Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2B-27, registered N865VL, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Isla De Culebra, Puerto Rico (Benjamin Rivera Noriega airport). It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 22, 2026 · about 9:15 am local time
- Place
- Isla De Culebra, Puerto Rico · Benjamin Rivera Noriega · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2B-27, built 1987
- Registration
- N865VL · registry record · serial 2125
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 taxi (from runway)
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during taxi (from runway) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,180 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 21, 2026; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,300 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: RVR Ceiba PR at 1:00 pm
- Runway 13, 2,596 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from TIST, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR TIST 221953Z 12011G18KT 10SM FEW029 29/21 A2999
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 8 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.