# NTSB investigations: NONE: Loss of control in flight

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA282.md): Pzl-Bielsko B1-PW-5 · Briggs, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 6, 2026 · N105WS · Substantial damage
  > On August 6, 2026, about 1538 central daylight time, a PZL-Bielsko B1-PW-5 glider, N105WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Briggs, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB CEN24LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA219.md): Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 · Chouteau, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N8667R · Minor damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider while landing. Contributing to the accident was the unclear communications between the student pilot and instructor.
- [NTSB WPR24FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA072.md): Kubicek BB85Z · Eloy, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 14, 2024 · N4961D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to open the rapid deflation valve during flight as a means of descending, which resulted in the deflation of the envelope and hard impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA255.md): Avia Stroitel AC-5M · North Plains, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N40233 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the motor glider, which resulted in an inflight overstress separation of the right wing during a high-speed, high-wing-load spiral dive recovery. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately manufactured wing…
- [NTSB CEN22FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA197.md): Cessna 172 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 11, 2022 · N73670 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA22LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA129.md): Lindstrand Balloons 60X · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 11, 2022 · N377LX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot applicant’s delayed reaction to the balloon's increased rate of descent, which resulted in impact with a light pole.
- [NTSB ERA21LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA244.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Sanford, ME · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2021 · N7776S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA074.md): Aerostar International S-60A · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2020 · N6534A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.
- [NTSB WPR20LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA216.md): Schleicher ASW27 · Ely, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N167TM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of glider control while maneuvering near a mountain ridge in downdrafts and dry microbursts at an altitude that precluded recovery.
- [NTSB ERA20CA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA116.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Huntsville, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 1, 2020 · N296BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain glider control and his exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA20FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA097.md): Aviastroitel AC 4C · Front Royal, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 9, 2020 · N912ES · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR19LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA191.md): Bolkow Phoebus · Alvord Desert, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2019 · N112AJ · Destroyed
  > Pilot’s failure to properly respond to a slack towline during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control of the glider.
- [NTSB GAA19CA447](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA447.md): Biuro Projektowe B Bogumil Ber SZD-56-2 · Sparks, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N821W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner, which resulted in glider settling into sage brush.
- [NTSB WPR18FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA178.md): Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Aguila, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 23, 2018 · N7880 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while attempting a thermal climb at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude that precluded recovery.
- [NTSB CEN18FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA217.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Moose, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2018 · N317BA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's encounter with atmospheric conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control near terrain that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the operator's published tour flight…
- [NTSB WPR18LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA163.md): North Wing Pulse · Mountain Home, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 2018 · N62073 · Substantial damage
  > The hang glider's encounter with a developing vortex or dust devil while maneuvering during an airshow routine, which resulted in a loss of control at an altitude that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's preexisting and worsening…
- [NTSB GAA17CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA368.md): Schempp-Hirth Discus 2B · Bishop, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2017 · N21TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering over rising mountainous terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA17CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA340.md): Sportine Aviacija LAK 12 · Reno, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N4206N · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch during an aerotow takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN17LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA181.md): AS+ AC 4 · Blair, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2017 · N358R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control due to his diverted attention as he attempted to close the canopy that opened during initial climb.
- [NTSB GAA17CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA262.md): Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB70Z · Park City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 22, 2017 · N245DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during landing.
- [NTSB CEN17LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA118.md): Thunder & Colt Airborne Amer AX10 180 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2017 · N709TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed reaction to the balloon’s increased rate of descent during an attempted landing, which resulted in impact with a power line.
- [NTSB CEN16FA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA308.md): Pzl-Bielsko SZD 55-1 · Channahon, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2016 · N551DR · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot's failure to maintain adequate pitch control while being towed and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed control after releasing from the towline, which resulted in the glider exceeding its critical angle of attack and an…
- [NTSB GAA16CA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA244.md): Schleicher ASW 19 · Frankton, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2016 · N19VT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack on final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA15LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA367.md): Schleicher ASW 19B · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N27XX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain glider control while attempting to land.
- [NTSB DCA15MA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15MA019.md): Scaled Composites 339 · Koehn Dry Lake, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Oct 31, 2014 · N339SS · Destroyed
  > Scaled Composites' failure to consider and protect against the possibility that a single human error could result in a catastrophic hazard to the SpaceShipTwo vehicle. This failure set the stage for the copilot's premature unlocking of the feather system as a…
- [NTSB ERA14CA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA274.md): Schweizer SGS 1 34 · Middletown, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2014 · N7638 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA219.md): Pzl-Swidnik PW 5 · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2014 · N77FZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider during the landing flare which resulted in a stall and hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR14FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA181.md): Aero Tek Zuni · Aguila, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 2014 · N22DA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the glider after the tow cable separated prematurely due to an incomplete engagement of the cable in the control tow release system due to a missing spring.
- [NTSB CEN13CA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA336.md): Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B · Corona, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2013 · N62TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while ridge-soaring in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN12LA659](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA659.md): Lindstrand Balloons 210S · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2012 · N608RR · Minor damage
  > The failure of the balloon envelope parachute vent to properly seat, which resulted in the uncontrolled descent of the balloon. The reason the vent did not properly seat during the accident flight could not be determined because the vent operated properly…
- [NTSB CEN12CA608](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA608.md): Rolladen-Schneider OHG LS3-A · Navasota, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2012 · N27UP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for landing area conditions during an off-airport landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA12LA528](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA528.md): Schleicher ASW-19 · Dansville, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2012 · N438AS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain glider control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine.
- [NTSB WPR11CA435](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA435.md): Aerostar International S-60A · Park City, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2011 · N7154E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon during the landing on uneven ground.
- [NTSB WPR11LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA317.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Bigfork, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2011 · N591CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA11CA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA323.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Wurstboro, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2011 · N2656H · Substantial damage
  > The flying pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision while landing with a gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the flight instructor and pilot under evaluation…
- [NTSB CEN11FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA259.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Boulder, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2011 · N633BG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA11CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA087.md): Schweizer SGS 1-23D · Aberdeen, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 11, 2010 · N91896 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver (spin) resulting in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA10CA477](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA477.md): Beam-Walter RS-15 · Windsor, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 27, 2010 · N29WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate installation and preflight inspection of the right rudervator assembly, which resulted in a loss control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA09CA485](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA485.md): Bell 206L-3 · White Plains, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 26, 2009 · N22ZA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to disconnect the ground power unit prior to takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA09CA434](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA434.md): Let L13 · Sparta, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 1, 2009 · N66FL · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR09CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA479.md): Schleicher ASK-21 · Jean, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2009 · N63JJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider during the initial climb due to an inadvertent encounter with wind.
- [NTSB MIA08CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA176.md): Cameron ZL-60 · Anderson, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 31, 2008 · N61ZL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of the balloon burners.
- [NTSB DEN08LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA127.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus A · Midlothian, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2008 · N47JD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an incapacitating cardiac event. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor decision to fly with known serious medical issues.
- [NTSB NYC08CA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA236.md): Glasflugel Standard Libelle · Front Royal, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 29, 2008 · N184W · Substantial damage
  > Aircraft control was not maintained during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was turbulence and inadvertent flight into adverse weather.

## 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 x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('00000')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '240'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/cases?engine=00000

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