# NTSB investigations, AZ: Hard landing

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 · 96 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA328.md): Bell OH-58A · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Sep 3, 2026 · N480FT · Substantial damage
  > On September 3, 2026, about 0932 mountain standard time, a Bell OH-58, N480FT, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Deer Valley, Arizona. The pilots did not sustain any injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB DCA26LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA285.md): Leigh Aerosystems E100 · Douglas, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2026 · N1224E · Substantial damage
  > Degraded engine and propeller performance during hot and high-density altitude operations, which resulted in a high descent rate and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR26LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA056.md): Rotorway Exec · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2025 · C-GBZD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper securing hardware installation, which resulted in a loss of throttle control and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR25LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA189.md): American Eurocopter AS350B3 · San Luis, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2025 · N3951A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to properly recover the helicopter during an autorotative landing and the instructor pilot’s failure to intervene, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA009.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2024 · N4199M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain airspeed during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA243.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N473E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s low-speed, high-power maneuvering in high density altitude and near maximum gross weight, which resulted in an uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA183.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 6, 2024 · N7514V · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s unstabilized approach during an autorotation that resulted in hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA146.md): Robert Sterling 4P · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2024 · N78GP · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel vapor lock. Contributing to the accident was the incorrect installation of the ancillary fuel supply system components.
- [NTSB WPR24LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA116.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 21, 2024 · N755LA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing in gusty wind conditions. Contributing, was the failure of the flight instructor to intervene in a timely manner.
- [NTSB WPR24LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA029.md): Aerostar International RX 8 · Page, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 4, 2023 · N50466 · No damage
  > A hard landing after both burner pilot lights extinguished during the landing approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to relight the burner pilot lights.
- [NTSB WPR24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA006.md): Ultramagic N-300 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 3, 2023 · N27MU · No damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA238.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N28034 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA169.md): Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau Remos GX · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2023 · N76GX · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR23LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA182.md): Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2B · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N774JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing in a dust devil.
- [NTSB WPR22LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Mesa, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2022 · N252SC · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter’s rate of descent, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA106.md): Mckenzie John P Europa XS · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 19, 2022 · N523WS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA066.md): Cameron Balloons U S A-315 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2021 · N317RR · No damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain balloon control during a high wind landing, which resulted in a serious passenger injury.
- [NTSB WPR21LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2021 · N74706 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while making a clearing turn which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA186.md): Cessna 172P · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2021 · N54140 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper pitch control and landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounce and subsequent porpoised landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA150.md): Cessna 150L · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 26, 2021 · N1390Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper flare which resulted in a bounced, hard landing and loss of control in a gusting crosswind.
- [NTSB WPR21LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA053.md): Air Creation Buggy · Benson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 13, 2020 · N2764N · Substantial damage
  > The non-rated pilot’s unstable approach and failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a hard landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA005.md): Cessna 150 · Rimrock, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2020 · N22979 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR20LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA333.md): Ultramagic N500 · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 18, 2020 · N500UM · No damage
  > The balloon's encounter with unexpected windshear, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injuries.
- [NTSB WPR20CA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA293.md): Cessna 172 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2020 · N103VK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch attitude and landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructors delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR20CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA084.md): Cessna 150 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 25, 2020 · N31ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper approach and landing flare, which resulted in a stall and a subsequent hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA140.md): Bell OH 58C · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N82857 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during an aerial application flight due to thermal damage to the 1st stage gas producer turbine nozzle and an irregular fuel spray pattern due to carbon buildup of the fuel nozzle. Contributing to the accident was maintenance…
- [NTSB GAA18CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA070.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · Santa Rosa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 6, 2017 · N790AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR17LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA093.md): Schweizer 269C · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2017 · N521AR · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to separation of the throttle cable.
- [NTSB GAA17CA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA108.md): Larson Roger H RV-7 · Casa Grande, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 1, 2017 · N5897R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent application of the autopilot during short final, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR16LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA179.md): Mccluskey Challenger II · Bisbee, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2016 · N6162Y · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR16LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA156.md): Robinson R22 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2016 · N22UH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to address a low rotor rpm condition, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR15LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA249.md): Schweizer 269C - Undesignat · Mesa, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 2015 · N315TV · Substantial damage
  > The disbondment of a main rotor damper, which resulted in the degradation of its damping action and led to excessive main rotor vibrations and oscillations that caused substantial damage to the helicopter in flight and led to a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR15LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA209.md): Mooney M 20G · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2015 · N9152V · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to apply carburetor heat during the approach for landing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB GAA15LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA015.md): Ultramagic N210 · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 2015 · N210UM · Minor damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing after noting a higher-than-anticipated wind speed and the balloon's high descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA003.md): Schupp Edward W SKY Ranger II · San Manuel, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2015 · N132ES · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR15LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA099.md): Beech A36TC · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2015 · N3685W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare and loss of airplane control, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent failure of the nose landing gear.
- [NTSB WPR15CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA043.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Prescott, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 15, 2014 · N32VH · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during the autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.
- [NTSB WPR14CA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA396.md): Ultramagic N250 - NO Series · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2014 · N59EX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in downdraft and gusting wind conditions which resulted in striking trees and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR14LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA374.md): Bell 206 · Tombstone, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2014 · N64AW · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to loose “B” nut fittings and a bent tube as a result of maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the nuts during the most recent inspection.
- [NTSB WPR14CA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA350.md): Schweizer SGS 1 34 · Marana, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2014 · N7628 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection which led to the canopy opening in flight and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA259.md): Beech A23 24 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2014 · N3611Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA260.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 20, 2014 · N928PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR14TA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14TA236.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 8, 2014 · N504MP · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the decoupling of the engine’s turbine and compressor sections. Contributing to the decoupling was the excessive wear of the turbine-to-compressor coupling components due maintenance personnel’s placement…
- [NTSB WPR14CA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA227.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2014 · N223G · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent activation of the engine's mixture control during cruise flight by the pilot undergoing instruction, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot's…
- [NTSB WPR14CA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA274.md): Cessna 172 - R · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2014 · N1590W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA193.md): Kalman George Lancair 360 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2014 · N521SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR13LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA390.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Payson, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2013 · N2018R · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to an overtemperature event that thermally damaged the turbine blades and vanes, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR13CA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA375.md): Cessna 172S · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2013 · N544ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR13LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA290.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Casa Grande, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2013 · N34CT · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the ingestion of a foreign object and maintenance personnel's failure to remove shop rags before completing the installation of the air inlet barrier system.
- [NTSB WPR13TA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13TA198.md): Bell OH-58C · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Apr 12, 2013 · N119FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's delay in adding power during a recovery from a practice autorotation.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?state=AZ&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AZ' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '092' 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/092/sequence?state=AZ

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