No fatalities

BELLANCA 7ECA accident at Hopkinsville, KY, 28 Aug 2023

Hopkinsville, KY, United States

On August 28, 2023, a BELLANCA 7ECA operated by PRESLEY AVIATION LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Hopkinsville, KY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with helicopter wake turbulence during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with helicopter wake turbulence during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Contributed to outcomePilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Aug 2023 BELLANCA 7ECA accident near Hopkinsville, KY?

The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with helicopter wake turbulence during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Aug 2023 BELLANCA 7ECA accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Aug 2023 involved a BELLANCA 7ECA, operated by PRESLEY AVIATION LLC, at Hopkinsville, KY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with helicopter wake turbulence during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.