# NTSB investigations: Aircraft loading event NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 2 · 84 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB DCA26WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26WA076.md): Boeing 737 · Leeds, United Kingdom · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 8, 2025 · G-JZHT · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA25LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA266.md): Cessna T337G · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2025 · N289 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power to one of the airplane’s two engines. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s loading of the airplane beyond its maximum gross… - [NTSB ERA25LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA079.md): Air Tractor AT504 · Big Cypress, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2024 · N8516V · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to depart with cargo outside of the designated baggage compartment, which resulted in the cargo interfering with the rudder control system. - [NTSB DCA25WA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25WA054.md): Boeing 737 · Perth, Australia · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 1, 2024 · VH-XZK · No damage - [NTSB DCA24WA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24WA257.md): Boeing 737 · Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea · Incident · Class 4 · Foreign · Jul 23, 2024 · P2-PXB · No damage - [NTSB WPR24FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA215.md): Cessna 182 · Big Creek, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 28, 2024 · N6210A · Substantial damage > The pilot’s delayed decision to go around after descending below the recommended abort altitude with a slight tailwind and an over-gross-weight airplane, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to… - [NTSB CEN24FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA028.md): Piper PA46 · McCook, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damage > The pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum… - [NTSB ANC23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA074.md): Piper PA-18-150 · St. Mary's, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N109T · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight characteristics resulting in a loss of airplane control during takeoff… - [NTSB CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb. - [NTSB ERA23LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA315.md): Head Balloons AX8-88 · Guilford, CT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2023 · N4522E · No damage > The pilot’s inadequate supervision of the boarding process and the ground crewmember’s failure to immediately let go of the balloon after it began an inadvertent climb. - [NTSB ERA23FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA280.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,… - [NTSB WPR23FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA188.md): Cessna T182T · Albany, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2023 · N665B · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to conduct flight into an area of icing in an airplane that was prohibited from such conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall/spin, and the pilot’s spatial disorientation… - [NTSB ERA23LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA161.md): Piper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff above the airplane’s maximum gross weight, a CG forward of the limit, and a tailwind component that prevented the airplane from climbing above trees. - [NTSB DCA23WA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23WA184.md): Boeing 767-300F · Derby, United Kingdom · Occurrence · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 4, 2023 · N370UP · No damage - [NTSB ERA22FA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA422.md): Wren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2022 · N709RD · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of… - [NTSB ERA22FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA218.md): Cessna 172 · Altha, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 3, 2022 · N6413B · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which… - [NTSB DCA22WA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22WA120.md): Boeing 737 · Almeria, Spain · Incident · Minor injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 26, 2022 · EI-ENK · No damage - [NTSB ERA22FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA024.md): Mooney M20J · Holly Ridge, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2021 · N3933H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/mush during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loading the airplane near its maximum allowable gross weight and near its aft cg… - [NTSB ERA22FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA009.md): Cessna P210 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2021 · N128EE · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to ensure that his seat was properly secured before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an installed secondary seat stop, and the airplane’s aft… - [NTSB ANC20LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA077.md): Cessna 180 · Kenai, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2020 · N9712G · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to place a passenger and baggage in the rear baggage compartment, which resulted in an aft center of gravity, an increase in directional instability, and affected the pilot’s ability to maintain directional control, resulting in… - [NTSB CEN20LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA305.md): Piper PA28 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2020 · N716RL · Destroyed > The pilot’s improper decision to take off in an airplane over maximum gross weight and with a tailwind, which prevented the airplane from climbing. - [NTSB ERA20LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA207.md): Quad City Challenger · Wurtsboro, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2020 · N850RW · Substantial damage > A loss of control after takeoff due to the pilot’s improper use of ballast weight. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight. - [NTSB ANC19LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA054.md): Piper PA 18 · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2019 · N7071B · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to perform a takeoff with an overweight float-equipped airplane, which resulted in diminished climb performance. - [NTSB CEN19LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA242.md): Icon A5 · Lake, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N663BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to operate the airplane in exceedance of the airplane manufacturer’s operating limitations, which led to an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue attempting the takeoff… - [NTSB CEN18LA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA383.md): Piper PA46 · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N747DA · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to attempt to take off in an overweight airplane in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb, an aborted takeoff, and a subsequent runway excursion. - [NTSB GAA18CA534](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA534.md): Robinson R44 · Girdwood, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N99645 · Substantial damage > The fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading. - [NTSB CEN18LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA344.md): Cessna 172 · Addison, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N893JA · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper flap setting for takeoff and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the overgross state of the airplane. - [NTSB ANC18FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA055.md): De Havilland DHC-2 · Willow, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N9878R · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during departure climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center… - [NTSB CEN18WA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA279.md): Cessna 150 · Tortola, British Virgin Islands · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 18, 2018 · N66778 · Substantial damage - [NTSB GAA18CA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA371.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Hutchinson, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 20, 2018 · N3169D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR18FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA119.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · Destroyed > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power… - [NTSB WPR18FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations before departing on the flight, which resulted in his operation of the helicopter outside of its published weight and balance limitations and a subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff. - [NTSB CEN17LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA350.md): Embraer EMB 120ER · Greeley, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2017 · N121CZ · Substantial damage > The bus driver's failure to maintain clearance from the standing airplane during dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the airport's lack of an escort for the bus. - [NTSB ERA17LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA261.md): Cessna 172 · Danbury, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2017 · N612DF · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight, which likely reduced… - [NTSB GAA17CA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA398.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N62FA · Substantial damage > The helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck. - [NTSB ANC17LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA033.md): Piper PA 12 · Skwentna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2017 · N4018H · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to properly secure the external load, which resulted in the load shifting during flight, interference with the water rudder cable, and a subsequent loss of control - [NTSB GAA17CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA347.md): Aeronca 11AC · Watervliet, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2017 · N9404E · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff over maximum gross weight from a turf runway in high density altitude conditions and the airplane’s inability to attain a climb rate and subsequent collision with trees. - [NTSB DCA17WA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17WA127.md): Boeing 747 · Glasgow, United Kingdom · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Mar 30, 2017 · LX-VCF · No damage > The United Kingdom AAIB has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Boeing 747 airplane that occurred on March 30, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIB's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as… - [NTSB WPR17LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA064.md): Beech A36TC · Stevensville, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2017 · N3803J · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to conduct a takeoff with a tailwind on an upsloping runway in an overweight airplane, which resulted in the airplane having insufficient energy to climb out of ground effect. - [NTSB ERA17FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA106.md): Beech C23 · Winder, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2017 · N24695 · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning and operation of the airplane outside its center of gravity envelope, which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering. - [NTSB DCA17WA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17WA054.md): Boeing 737 · Sydney, Australia · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 17, 2016 · ZK-TLK · No damage > The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a BOEING 737 airplane that occurred on December 17, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's… - [NTSB WPR16FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA178.md): Piper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2016 · N821ET · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to depart with the airplane loaded above its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to… - [NTSB CEN16LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA310.md): Piper PA-11 · Indianola, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb. - [NTSB CEN16LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA284.md): Texas Helicopter OH 13H/M74A · Minonk, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2016 · N10009 · Substantial damage > Failure of the truck driver to ensure that he had adequate clearance to pass under the helicopter and the failure of the loader to park in a safer area for reloading operations. - [NTSB CEN16LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA089.md): Cessna 208B · Grand Forks, ND · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2015 · N617ST · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and center of gravity, which resulted in the tail striking the ground. - [NTSB GAA16LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA046.md): U-Fly-It Aerolite 103 · Midland, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA15LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA190.md): Mooney M20C · Winchester, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2015 · N9680M · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate weight and balance and performance planning, including his decision to take off with more passengers than permitted, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an… - [NTSB DCA15LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15LA011.md): Boeing 737 330 · Lanai, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2014 · N301KH · Substantial damage > the improper loading and securing of the cargo pallets, which shifted on departure, resulting in substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead. - [NTSB ERA14LA450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA450.md): Barger Jerry L Challenger II · Clarion, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2014 · N4017C · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff with the airplane's center of gravity aft of its limit and led the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and experience an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.… - [NTSB WPR14FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA362.md): Cessna 177B · Neihart, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2014 · N34880 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '010' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.