# NTSB investigations, AL: 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 ERA26FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA338.md): Reed Julian Estill RV-4 · Albertville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 15, 2026 · N469TW · Substantial damage
  > On September 15, 2026, about 0620 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-4, N469TW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Albertville, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…
- [NTSB ERA26FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA067.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Irvington, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 13, 2025 · N157WB · Substantial damage
  > On December 13, 2025, about 1145 central standard time, an American Champion Decathlon, N157WB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Roy E. Ray Airfield (5R7), Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane…
- [NTSB ERA25FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA071.md): Magni Builder M-16 · Foley, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 9, 2024 · N271BP · Substantial damage
  > The sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA349.md): Smith T Gunter Quick Silver SP II · Mobile, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 16, 2024 · N2342D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane in gusty wind conditions while flying low over water, which resulted in the floats impacting a wave and the airplane’s subsequent nose over into the water.
- [NTSB ERA24LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA083.md): Rabe Richard Exec 162F · Tuscumbia, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2023 · N60932 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB ERA24FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA055.md): Beech E95 · Elkmont, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 4, 2023 · N369BB · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during slow flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which he was unable to recover.
- [NTSB ERA23FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA175.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Chelsea, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N231SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed corrective inputs while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of multiple sedating medications.
- [NTSB ERA23LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA003.md): Destiny XLT · Oneonta, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 24, 2022 · N5065Q · Substantial damage
  > The uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA22FA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA343.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Andalusia, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 29, 2022 · N124LN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s acute incapacitation by a syncopal episode, which resulted in the helicopter departing controlled flight and colliding with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA213.md): Vans RV7 · Huntsville, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2022 · N1218B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment due to the effects of ethanol, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an impact with terrain on approach to landing.
- [NTSB ERA22LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA198.md): Cessna 310 · Selma, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 13, 2022 · N7733Q · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly rig the rudder trim system after reinstallation and pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection after recent maintenance, which resulted in an inability to adequately maintain directional control during the flight.
- [NTSB ERA21LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA345.md): Maule MXT-7-180 · Troy, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2021 · N32566 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA216.md): Cessna 172 · Gulf Shores, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2021 · N5170K · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted go-around.
- [NTSB ERA21LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA162.md): Bellanca 1730 · Bessemer, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 26, 2021 · N93638 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA21LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA068.md): Beech V35A · Attalla, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2020 · N5470U · Destroyed
  > A loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.
- [NTSB ERA20LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA314.md): Zenair CH750 Cruzer · Boaz, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2020 · N656BN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into an area of low clouds.
- [NTSB ERA20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA272.md): Piper PA 30 · Alabaster, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2020 · N7750Y · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control and lack of climb performance shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, resulting in a collision with terrain.
- [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 ERA18FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA118.md): Cessna R182 · Ashville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2018 · N3167C · Destroyed
  > Descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB GAA17CA545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA545.md): Dedeaux Gary G GN-1 · Elba, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 2, 2017 · N168BD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in his decision to abort the takeoff and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA17FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA136.md): Cessna T210 · Hayden, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2017 · N6563D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control and in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA17CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA089.md): Cessna 182 · Mobile, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2017 · N707RB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA16FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA100.md): Cessna 182 · Mobile, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2016 · N784CP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight weather planning which resulted the pilot's…
- [NTSB ERA16LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA014.md): Gross Michael E Stol CH 701 · Eufala, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2015 · N4931M · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Also causal was the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff…
- [NTSB GAA15LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA296.md): Bell 206 · Ozark, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N49660 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering, which resulted in the helicopter's skid impacting terrain, subsequent abnormal airframe vibrations, and a hard landing during the subsequent hovering autorotation.
- [NTSB ERA15FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA330.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Alabaster, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2015 · N1116C · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB GAA15CA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA198.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Eufaula, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 26, 2015 · N804EV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain direction control during takeoff, and the pilot's failure to ensure that the canopy of the airplane was secured and locked prior to departure.
- [NTSB ERA15CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA064.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Athens, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 30, 2014 · N7422W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while landing in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines while on final approach.
- [NTSB ERA14FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA120.md): Cessna 210L · Clay, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2014 · N732EJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while being vectored to intercept the localizer during night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate dispatch procedures, which did not…
- [NTSB ERA13CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA284.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Ozark, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N6881W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing.
- [NTSB ERA13LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA012.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Birmingham, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2012 · N80KW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overreliance on the autopilot system and his inability to hand-fly the airplane once the autopilot…
- [NTSB ERA12FA566](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA566.md): Mooney M20M · Crane Hill, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2012 · N1085A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control in moderate-to-heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on ADS-B for tactical weather avoidance.
- [NTSB ERA12CA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA390.md): Cessna 150H · Alabaster, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2012 · N6963S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA12FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA194.md): Strout Frank Aventura II · Laceys Spring, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2012 · N1193S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-altitude maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of the required rating to operate the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA12FA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA149.md): Aero Vodochody L39C · Rainbow City, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2012 · N16RZ · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA11LA496](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA496.md): Aero Adventure Zephyr II · Sylacauga, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2011 · N3577F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack during takeoff, which led to an in-flight loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA11FA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA391.md): Cessna 421C · Demopolis, AL · Accident · 7 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2011 · N692TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a…
- [NTSB ERA11FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA107.md): Beech 58P · Birmingham, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2011 · N48TS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA11FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA074.md): Beech A36 · Theodore, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 2010 · N1860P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at night in deteriorating weather conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing.
- [NTSB ERA10CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA185.md): Shaw Fisher FP 404 · Lillian, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 22, 2010 · N6587V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA10LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA166.md): Belcher William B II Firestar · Wetumpka, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2010 · N43341 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s in-flight loss of control as a result of previous damage to the airplane from an undetermined event.
- [NTSB ERA10FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA099.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Heflin, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2009 · N1277T · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during night, adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to attempt a flight that he was not qualified for…
- [NTSB ERA09LA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA455.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CM · St. Elmo, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2009 · N70ZZ · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA09LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA230.md): Champion 7HC · Centre, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2009 · N8560E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during climb due to an improperly installed rudder pedal control tube.
- [NTSB NYC08CA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA328.md): Hood Junior Ace · Ashville, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 30, 2008 · N1012S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare while landing. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's lack of yaw control as reported by the pilot.
- [NTSB NYC08FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA231.md): Beech 95-B55 · Jasper, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2008 · N727BC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional visual flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control in flight. Contributing to the accident was the overweight and aft-center-of-gravity condition of the…
- [NTSB MIA08CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA126.md): Taylorcraft F19 · Montgomery, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 20, 2008 · N3681T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper loading of personal belongings which resulted in rudder pedal interference.
- [NTSB NYC08FA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA157.md): Cartwright H Jr/Cottrell M RV-10 · Seale, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2008 · N210HM · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions and the pilot-in-command's lack of flight experience in the accident airplane.
- [NTSB NYC08LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA087.md): Unknown Free Bird Sportlite · McCullough, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2008 · N75474 · Destroyed
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight prior to the airplane being properly inspected and certified.

## 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" = 'AL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE 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?state=AL

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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.