# NTSB investigations, PA: 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.

Page 1 of 2 · 57 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA272.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Lititz, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 20, 2025 · N819MA · Substantial damage
  > On July 20, 2025, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian airplane, N819MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The pilot was the sole person on board and was fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB ERA25LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA137.md): Beech A36TC · Lititz, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2025 · N347M · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff due to his distraction by the opening of the cabin door, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/mush condition at too low of an…
- [NTSB ERA23LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA381.md): Boeing B75 · Erwinna, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2023 · N46Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in a crosswind.
- [NTSB CEN23LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA348.md): Cessna 172 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2023 · N860TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB ERA22LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA312.md): Flightstar Flightstar II SC · Russell, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2022 · N6116U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to climb over trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA22FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA137.md): Beech 35 · Hilltown Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 24, 2022 · N6129V · Destroyed
  > The pilots’ exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while practicing maneuvers during an instructional flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA22LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA069.md): K Copters 47G-2 · Lancaster, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 20, 2021 · N210JB · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to ensure a positive transfer of aircraft control, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA018.md): Z-Hi-Max 1400 · Benton, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2021 · N668CL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control and encounter with an aerodynamic stall during a planned low-altitude turn toward the airport after takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA20CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA057.md): Cub Crafters CC11 · Palmyra, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2019 · N718CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain lateral control during a go-around, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA19FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA275.md): Vans RV 8 · Stroudsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2019 · N7TL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA19FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA243.md): Poberezny Acro Sport II · Jersey Shore, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2019 · N43032 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to conduct low altitude aerobatic maneuvers which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA19FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA240.md): Beech F33 · Hatboro, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N4082S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB GAA19CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA266.md): Ryan John Steffey Subsonex · Latrobe, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2019 · N224P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while attempting to secure the canopy, which opened shortly after takeoff and resulted in the airplane impacting the ground and the main landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN18FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA144.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Williamsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2018 · N451TD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing before the flight and his subsequent loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions during a diversion to an alternate airport after…
- [NTSB GAA18CA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA083.md): Michael Adamczyk Zenith CH750 · Franklin, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 9, 2017 · N750AD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s excessive application of aft stick during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to this accident was the pilot’s inexperience in the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA18LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA019.md): Maurer Elmo A V Star SA900 · Erwinna, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2017 · N21EM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA269.md): Rose Herbert D Pietenpol AIR Camper · Tower City, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2017 · N709HR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to fainting as a result of complications from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
- [NTSB GAA17CA536](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA536.md): Menzimer Gary Ray Firestar · Westfield, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2017 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane without recent flight training and his inadvertent application of left electric rudder trim before flight and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB GAA17CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA406.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Wilkes-Barre, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2017 · N2336J · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to maintain helicopter altitude during hover flight instruction, which resulted in the helicopter skid contacting a crack in the runway and a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB ERA17CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA177.md): Reupert Mark Avid Flyer · Reedsville, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2017 · N532SE · Substantial damage
  > The sport pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA17FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA153.md): Howard DGA 15P · Monongahela, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2017 · N4476N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA17CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA030.md): Kolb Fire FLY · West Middlesex, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2016 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA17CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA026.md): Piper PA 28 · Latrobe, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2016 · N9097U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane’s wing striking the ground while the pilot was maneuvering to realign with the runway.
- [NTSB ERA16LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA077.md): Beech A36 · Myerstown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2015 · N4314S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during climbout due to his distraction with raising the landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA16FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA064.md): Beech A36 · Farmington, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…
- [NTSB ERA16CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA060.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · Monongahela, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 6, 2015 · N639ME · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate securing of the wheeled fire extinguisher's cover which resulted in it being blown off of the fire extinguisher and ingested into the helicopter's fenestron during takeoff, resulting in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB GAA16CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA045.md): Schweizer 269C 1 · Mount Pocono, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2015 · N21496 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to remove the tension applied to the cyclic before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control and the tail rotor striking the ground.
- [NTSB ERA16LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA010.md): Murray Blair L Free Bird Classic · Kylertown, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2015 · N176FB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach for landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.
- [NTSB ERA15LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA366.md): Cessna 172 · Bally, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2015 · N347SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during low-level aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to attempt the low-level aerobatic maneuvers and his impairment due to psychiatric conditions and the medications he…
- [NTSB GAA15CA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA243.md): Cessna 172 · New Enterprise, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2015 · N8404X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA15FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA298.md): Mchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1 · Montrose, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2015 · N428YT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA15CA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA148.md): Mooney M20R · West Mifflin, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2015 · N93TK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, which resulted in a bounce and loss of control during landing, followed by a runway excursion, and collision with terrain during an attempt to abort the landing.
- [NTSB ERA14LA450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA450.md): Barger Jerry L Challenger II · Clarion, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2014 · N4017C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff with the airplane's center of gravity aft of its limit and led the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and experience an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.…
- [NTSB ERA14CA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA410.md): Bertagna John Just Highlander · Birdsboro, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 27, 2014 · N61148 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing resulting in loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB ERA14CA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA234.md): Sam R Peachey Just Aircraft Highla · Roxbury, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2014 · N209SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA14FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA077.md): Piper PA-30 · Biglerville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2013 · N8372Y · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA13FA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA412.md): Joseph Bender Mustang II · Smoketown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2013 · N691LB · Destroyed
  > The pilot/owner/builder's failure to abort the takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's total lack of experience in the accident airplane and his lack of flying experience in the 3 1/2…
- [NTSB ERA13LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA366.md): Interstate S-1B1 · Lititz, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2013 · N46336 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to control the airplane’s pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to set the trim in accordance with the pretakeoff checklist and the…
- [NTSB ERA13FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA026.md): Aerospatiale AS 355 · Erwinna, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2012 · C-FXGM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in subsequent spatial disorientation, uncontrolled descent, and impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA12CA587](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA587.md): Buckeye 582 Dream Machine · North Huntingdon, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 29, 2012 · N7508D · Substantial damage
  > The operation of a powered parachute by a noncertificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the climb following an aborted landing.
- [NTSB ERA12CA523](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA523.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-1B · Bedford, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2012 · N9858L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing and subsequent go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to shutoff the carburetor heat during the attempted go-around and the weight at which the airplane was…
- [NTSB ERA12CA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA418.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-1C · West Chester, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2012 · N9675U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA12CA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA389.md): Buckeye Breeze · Lower Burrell, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2012 · N786DS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the powered parachute, which resulted in a collision with trees during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight training.
- [NTSB ERA12CA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA403.md): Luscombe 8E · Selinsgrove, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2012 · N2052K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA12LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA373.md): Faltin John R Rotorway Exec 162F · Smoketown, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 2012 · N8707E · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control during a post-maintenance test flight due to improper tracking of the helicopter’s main rotor blades by the pilot/aircraft builder.
- [NTSB ERA12CA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA357.md): Hughes TH-55 · Pittsfield, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2012 · N74914 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB ERA12CA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA248.md): JDT MiniMax · Gap, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 21, 2012 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA11FA463](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA463.md): Quad City Ultralight Challenger II · Ransom Township, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2011 · N6613Z · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of overall flight experience and lack of experience in the same make…
- [NTSB ERA11CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA340.md): Mooney M-20G · Monroeville, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2011 · N6936N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA11FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA299.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Benezette, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2011 · N7603D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/cases.md?state=PA&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" = 'PA' 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=PA

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