# Final NTSB investigations: Ground handling 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 · 85 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA260.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Emerson, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2026 · N224RH · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to verify the loading hose had been disconnected before taking off and the failure of the loader to disconnect the fuel hose from the helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA26LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA264.md): Cessna 172 · Greensboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2026 · N7764G · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s improper decision to leave the airplane with the engine running, which resulted in the airplane rolling forward and impacting a hangar.
- [NTSB CEN26LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA205.md): Vans RV4 · Conroe, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2026 · N292M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA26LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA194.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4 · Chapmansboro, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2026 · N409AE · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the volunteer fire department personnel to properly monitor and secure a stretcher, which resulted in it rolling into the helicopter’s tail rotor.
- [NTSB WPR26LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA114.md): American Champion 8GCBC · Carefree, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2026 · N636DB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot reported that he landed the tailwheel equipped airplane at a backcountry airstrip, and while taxiing on rough terrain, the tailwheel spring failed and the tailwheel assembly separated from the airplane. The pilot shut down the airplane and exited to…
- [NTSB ERA26LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA085.md): Burkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 26, 2025 · N103T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field.
- [NTSB WPR26LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA042.md): Cessna 150 · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 9, 2025 · N6495T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper starting procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.
- [NTSB CEN23FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA359.md): Vans RV14 · Virden, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 12, 2023 · N6161 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an upset of the airplane, and a loss of control from which the…
- [NTSB DCA23LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA191.md): Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW · New York, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 25, 2023 · N337JB · No damage
  > Electrical sparking caused by a faulty connection between the aircraft and ground power unit resulting in a serious injury to a ground service agent.
- [NTSB DCA23LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA109.md): Embraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Montgomery, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 31, 2022 · N264NN · Minor damage
  > The ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion…
- [NTSB ERA22FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA036.md): Vans RV4 · Chattahoochee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N479JJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy before takeoff, allowing the canopy to open and then separate in flight, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined based on the…
- [NTSB CEN21LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA310.md): Aeronca 11AC · Wapakoneta, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2021 · N9149E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure resulting in the unoccupied airplane’s unintended movement and subsequent impact with a hangar.
- [NTSB CEN21LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA212.md): Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H · Norris City, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 10, 2021 · N567VF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper positioning of the helicopter on the landing pad, and his failure to monitor and control the helicopter as fuel and chemical product were loaded, which led to the helicopter tipping and sliding off the landing pad, and subsequently…
- [NTSB WPR21LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA149.md): Luscombe 8A · Port Townsend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 29, 2021 · N28461 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.
- [NTSB WPR21LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA155.md): Aerostar International RX 8 · St. George, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 29, 2020 · N9051Y · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon and a member of the ground crews entanglement with a tether rope, which resulted in a serious injury when they fell to the ground after the balloon unexpectedly ascended.
- [NTSB ERA20CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA303.md): Zenith CH601 · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2020 · N354DM · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA20LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA237.md): Piper PA46 · Titusville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2020 · N89MA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of directional control during landing due to the fracture of the steering horn bolts, which rendered the nosewheel steering ineffective and resulted from the airplane being towed over the left turn limits at an undetermined time before the accident.
- [NTSB CEN20CA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA233.md): Piper J3C-65 · Mount Victory, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2020 · N25702 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning, and his failure to secure the airplane prior to hand-starting the engine.
- [NTSB WPR20CA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA127.md): FLIGHTstar 2 · Oakdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to take off through a large helicopter’s rotor wash, which resulted in his inability to gain altitude during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN20CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA087.md): Vans RV8 · Columbus, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2020 · N7736T · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.
- [NTSB CEN20CA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA047.md): Cessna 182 · Robstown, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 30, 2019 · N3473U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to set the friction lock on the throttle before hand propping the engine, which allowed the airplane to move forward and impact a credit card machine. Contributing to the accident was the malfunction of the parking brake for reasons that…
- [NTSB DCA19CA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA223.md): Bombardier CL 600 2C10 · Chicago OHare, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Sep 11, 2019 · N710SK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > the tug driver's inability to maintain visual contact with the wing walkers and lack of situational awareness during pushback.
- [NTSB WPR19FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA252.md): Beech C24 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N24030 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s operation of the airplane over its maximum gross weight and outside of center of gravity limits at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering and subsequent aerodynamic…
- [NTSB DCA19CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA186.md): Boeing 757 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2019 · N57852 · Substantial damage
  > failure of the ground crew to maintain clearance from the parked airplane during pushback.
- [NTSB DCA19CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA168.md): Boeing 737-8H4 · Pittsburgh, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N8608N · Substantial damage
  > a provisioning truck that impacted the airplane resulting in substantial damage.
- [NTSB DCA19CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA079.md): Airbus A320 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jan 28, 2019 · N220FR · Substantial damage
  > loss of control of the tug by the driver during pushback operations as a result of the contaminated ramp, angle of the towbar, and the airplane engines being at idle thrust.
- [NTSB DCA19CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA035.md): Bombardier CL 600 2B19 · New York, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Dec 1, 2018 · N202PS · Substantial damage
  > the captain initiating a cross bleed start while under tow.
- [NTSB DCA18CA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA272.md): Boeing 757 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2018 · EI-LBT · No damage
  > The ground service employee's inadvertent fall near the nose wheel during pushback.
- [NTSB ERA18LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA170.md): Bell OH 58A · Raleigh, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2018 · N303HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detach ground handling equipment from the helicopter before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in the subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB DCA18CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA042.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD 88 · Detroit, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 12, 2017 · N924DL · Substantial damage
  > failure of the flight crew to confirm the left engine throttle lever was at idle during engine start.
- [NTSB DCA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA074.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 19, 2017 · N740SW · No damage
  > The provisioning agent's lack of situational awareness while stepping from the airplane to the provisioning van. Contributing to the accident was the provisioning vans failed switch.
- [NTSB DCA18CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA001.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Chicago, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 2, 2017 · N930WN · Substantial damage
  > the mechanical failure of the tugs fuel governor, which made it difficult for the ramp agent to stop the tug. Contributing to the accident was the lack of guidance on how ground personnel were to handle vehicle malfunctions.
- [NTSB WPR17LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA207.md): Cessna 208B · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N786WW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA520](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA520.md): Cessna 680 · Wilmington, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2017 · N378QS · No damage
  > The passenger’s inadvertent slip on the airplane's air stairs during deplaning, which resulted in a broken ankle.
- [NTSB ERA17LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA243.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B 15 · Murfreesboro, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2017 · N3282P · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.
- [NTSB DCA17CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17CA072.md): Boeing 737 76N · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 12, 2017 · N7822A · No damage
  > the catering agent's lack of situational awareness when exiting the airplane that resulted in a serious injury.
- [NTSB GAA17CA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA135.md): Hughes OH 6A · Price, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 8, 2017 · N6640Z · Substantial damage
  > The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.
- [NTSB CEN16LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA342.md): Fairchild M 62A-3 · Madison, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2016 · N47164 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and his improper use of flaps during takeoff, which degraded the airplane's climb performance and resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB DCA16CA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA207.md): Boeing 737 3H4 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N368SW · Substantial damage
  > the tug operators excessive speed during pushback.
- [NTSB GAA16CA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA308.md): Cessna 208 · Fort Dodge, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2016 · N750Z · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew's failure to install the tail stand prior to passenger boarding, which resulted in a tail strike.
- [NTSB DCA16CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA139.md): Bombardier CL 600 2B19 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 29, 2016 · N961SW · Substantial damage
  > The tug driver's failure to comply with the wing walkers direction to stop, which resulted in the towed airplane colliding with N961SW.
- [NTSB DCA16CA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA133.md): Boeing 737 76Q · San Diego, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 14, 2016 · N565WN · No damage
  > the ramp agents failure to keep his right hand at a safe distance from the underside of the moving belt.
- [NTSB GAA16CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA162.md): Piper PA24 · Homestead, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2016 · N55UA · Substantial damage
  > The pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB CEN16LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA008.md): Beechcraft A36 · Dallas, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2015 · N55674 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper navigation onto a vehicle service road while taxiing and his subsequent distraction while looking at an airport diagram, which led to the airplane impacting a fence post.
- [NTSB CEN15CA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA410.md): Piper PA-17 · Delphi, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2015 · N4653H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.
- [NTSB GAA15LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA225.md): Ultramagic N250 - NO Series · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2015 · N57EX · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that the passengers remained secure in the basket during deflation after landing, which resulted in a passenger falling out of the basket and sustaining a serious injury when a wind gust caught the envelope and tipped the basket…
- [NTSB ERA15IA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15IA206.md): Cessna 525B · Teterboro, NJ · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 3, 2015 · N784JS · Minor damage
  > The overstress fracture of the nose landing gear actuator (NLG) attachment lug during tow operations, which resulted in the collapse of the NLG.
- [NTSB WPR14LA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA346.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2014 · N758SW · Substantial damage
  > The disconnection of baggage carts that subsequently collided with the parked airplane following the tug driving over a dip in the roadway.
- [NTSB ERA14CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA176.md): Cessna 172B · Mt Olive, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 22, 2014 · N8988B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
- [NTSB ERA14LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA111.md): Gates Learjet 35A · Ft. Lauderdale, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 2014 · N979RF · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the ground power unit was disconnected from the airplane via hand signals from the lineman providing ground services before taxiing, which resulted in an injury to the lineman.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?status=final&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."completionStatus" = 'Completed'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '080' 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/080/sequence?status=final

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