# NTSB investigations, IA: 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 CEN26LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA274.md): Cessna A188B · Algona, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 29, 2026 · N731CQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN26LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA154.md): Enstrom F-28F · Oelwein, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 29, 2026 · N942MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the hover taxi with a quartering tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN25LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA172.md): Golden Circle Air T-Bird · Dallas Center, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 5, 2025 · N7192M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate roll control of the light sport airplane while on final approach to the airstrip with a crosswind.
- [NTSB CEN24LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA355.md): Just SuperStol · Mount Vernon, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2024 · N874FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA240.md): Taylorcraft BC-65 · Sibley, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 15, 2023 · N23679 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach resulting in the airplane inadvertently exceeding the critical angle of attack and entering an inadvertent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN23LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA205.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Larchwood, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N5038E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB CEN21FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA320.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Muscatine, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 14, 2021 · N2801T · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight under a thunderstorm, where he encountered reduced visibility due to heavy precipitation, resulting in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN21FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA299.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lamoni, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 1, 2021 · N123RE · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around after a bounced landing, which resulted in impact with terrain and a postimpact fire.
- [NTSB CEN20CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA064.md): Guimbal Cabri G2 · Independence, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 21, 2020 · N715RK · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering to land, which resulted in impact with an airplane and a hangar.
- [NTSB CEN18LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA288.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Milford, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2018 · N3169H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a flight control system malfunction were observed.
- [NTSB CEN18LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA137.md): Quicksilver GT 400 · Maxwell, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 5, 2018 · N2433Z · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane, which resulted in a loss of airplane control when the pilot encounter a wind gust.
- [NTSB GAA17CA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA436.md): Bell 47G 3B · Toterville, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2017 · N47AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering at low altitude with low airspeed and a tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN17FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA249.md): Flight Design Ctsw · Monticello, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2017 · N62JN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly with his large dog in the two-seat, light sport airplane, and the dog's likely contact with the flight controls during landing, which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall when the…
- [NTSB GAA17CA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA338.md): Piper PA 28 · Estherville, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N33764 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain crosswind correction during a go-around in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN17FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA147.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Oxford, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2017 · N9179J · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot receiving instruction to recover from the practice stall before the airplane entered a spin and the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot receiving instruction and delayed remedial action to recover the airplane.
- [NTSB GAA16CA501](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA501.md): Piper PA28R · Ottumwa, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2016 · N3803T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during a simulated engine failure and landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN16FA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA361.md): Piper PA 46-310P · Chariton, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2016 · N465JM · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN15LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA344.md): Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT · Humboldt, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2015 · N315LK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA15CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA138.md): Quicksilver MXL II Sport · Ute, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA008.md): Piper PA46 · Dubuque, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2014 · N9126V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN14LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA281.md): Offchiss Edward R Avid Flyer · Lamoni, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2014 · N111ED · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing.
- [NTSB CEN13LA463](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA463.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Vinton, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2013 · N83702 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's operation of the helicopter at high gross weight and high density altitude while still in ground effect, which reduced the efficiency of the rotor system and the amount of lift produced, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to…
- [NTSB CEN13FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA122.md): Bell Helicopter 407 · Clear Lake, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2013 · N445MT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB CEN13CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA087.md): Cessna 150F · Red Oak, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 20, 2012 · N8000S · Substantial damage
  > The loss of control while landing due to the solo student pilot's delay to execute a go-around and his improper control inputs during a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN12LA602](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA602.md): Aero Vodochody L39C · Davenport, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2012 · N139GS · Destroyed
  > The loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.
- [NTSB CEN12LA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA453.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Britt, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2012 · N4843J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during an agricultural application operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distracted attention due to personal cell phone use during flight operations.
- [NTSB CEN12CA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA402.md): Schweizer TH55A/269A · Grinnell, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2012 · N488MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind during a hovering maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and directional control.
- [NTSB CEN12LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA167.md): Crain Jac A BD-4 · Clarinda, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2012 · N215BD · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN11LA569](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA569.md): Fairchild M-62 · Madrid, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2011 · N53956 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level flight along a river, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN11FA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA507.md): Sikorsky UH-34D · Wilton, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2011 · N3880J · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate performance planning by the pilot that resulted in reduced climb capability while transitioning to an out-of-ground effect hover with a left pedal turn.
- [NTSB CEN11LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA066.md): Gearn Geary D Swearingen SX300 · Milford, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2010 · N3ZX · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN11CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA065.md): Welch Thomas RV9 · Sac City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 3, 2010 · N475TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control while landing with a gusting wind.
- [NTSB CEN11FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA040.md): Beech 95-B55 (T42A) · Clarion, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2010 · N784CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN10CA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA565.md): North American AT-6 · Blakesburg, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2010 · N77TX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive airspeed during the landing, which resulted in his decision to perform an intentional ground loop to avoid a runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN10LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA401.md): Klemme William H Zenith CH 701 · Iowa Falls, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N701KC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the model of airplane.
- [NTSB CEN10FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA320.md): Beech A36 · Lidderdale, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6036U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to initiate the flight in marginal weather conditions and his loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB CEN10FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA119.md): Piper PA-31T · Forest City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2010 · N250TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during final approach.
- [NTSB CEN10LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA103.md): Cessna 177RG · Cedar Rapids, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2010 · N53120 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while flying an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in actual instrument conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09CA533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA533.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Whittemore, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2009 · N5003C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's lack of preflight planning and remedial action with resulted in the airplane's inability to climb out of ground effect.
- [NTSB CEN09LA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA527.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Corning, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2009 · N802LL · Destroyed
  > The in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the unpressurized airplane at an altitude requiring supplemental oxygen without having any oxygen available.
- [NTSB CEN09CA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA344.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Murray, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 6, 2009 · N43524 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CHI08CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA218.md): Cessna T188C · Marion, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 28, 2008 · N3419J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not maintaining airspeed while performing an aerial application maneuver and the inadvertent stall he encountered. Contributing to the accident was the gust of wind during the maneuver.
- [NTSB CHI08CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA205.md): Howell FW2C80TR · Washington, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2008 · N92FW · Substantial damage
  > The low airspeed and proper climb rate not attained by the pilot during takeoff and the inadvertent stall by the pilot.
- [NTSB CHI08FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA150.md): Socata TBM 700 (850) · Iowa City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2008 · N849MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to depart with a preexisting tailwind and failure to abort takeoff. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the failure to properly restrain (FAA-required) the child passenger.

## 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" = 'IA' 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=IA

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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.