North American NAVION accident near New Salem, Massachusetts, May 1, 2026
On May 1, 2026 at about 11:10 pm local time, a 1947 North American NAVION, registered N8618H, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near New Salem, Massachusetts (Orange Municipal 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 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 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 1, 2026 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- New Salem, Massachusetts · Orange Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION, built 1947 · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N8618H · registry record · serial NAV-4-583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 1, 2026, about 1910 eastern daylight time, a North American Navion, N8618H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Salem, Massachusetts. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he conducted a routine preflight inspection, which included flight controls, oil level, and fuel sump checks. Following his inspection, he started the aircraft and taxied to the runway run-up area. The before takeoff checks were normal with no abnormalities observed before departure. After departure, the pilot climbed to 1,700 ft mean seal level and proceeded south toward Quabbin Reservoir. Upon reaching the reservoir, he turned north toward the airport. Shortly thereafter, while in straight and level flight, the engine lost all power. The pilot established best glide speed and attempted to restart the engine without success. Realizing he could not reach the airport, and considering the local roadway traffic, tree coverage, and powerlines, he decided, the safest option was to ditch the airplane in the reservoir. During the approach, the airplane struck trees before touching down on the surface of the water. The airplane subsequently began to sink, and the pilot egressed through the sliding canopy. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and wings. The wreckage was recovered and 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 engine power (total) during enroute defining event
- Ditching during enroute
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 8, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: ORE Orange MA at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from KORE, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KORE 012252Z AUTO 26009KT 230V300 10SM CLR 15/M06 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP098 T01501056
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA26LA198.