# Major NTSB investigations: 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 ERA25MA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25MA171.md): Bell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJ · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Preliminary report · Apr 10, 2025 · N216MH · Destroyed
  > On April 10, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jersey City, New Jersey. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title…
- [NTSB ANC25MA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25MA018.md): Textron 208B · Nome, AK · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Feb 6, 2025 · N321BA · Destroyed
  > The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s inadequate airspeed management due to workload and degraded situation awareness and his improper inputs leading up to and during the aerodynamic…
- [NTSB CEN24MA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24MA111.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Feb 10, 2024 · N130CZ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…
- [NTSB WPR23MA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23MA113.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Stagecoach, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Feb 25, 2023 · N273SM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the disengagement of the autopilot for undetermined reasons, as…
- [NTSB DCA22MA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22MA193.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Freeland, WA · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 4, 2022 · N725TH · Destroyed
  > The in-flight unthreading of the clamp nut from the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator barrel due to a missing lock ring, which resulted in the horizontal stabilizer moving to an extreme trailing-edge-down position rendering the airplane’s pitch…
- [NTSB DCA20MA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20MA059.md): Sikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CA · Accident · 9 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 26, 2020 · N72EX · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s likely self-induced pressure…
- [NTSB CEN20MA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20MA044.md): Piper PA 31T · Lafayette, LA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Dec 28, 2019 · N42CV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN19MA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19MA312.md): Convair 440 · Monclova, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Major · Final report · Sep 11, 2019 · N24DR · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with trees, and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s fatigue due to the overnight flight schedule.
- [NTSB CEN19MA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19MA190.md): Textron B-300 · Addison, TX · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Jun 30, 2019 · N534FF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control following a reduction of thrust in the left engine during takeoff. The reason for the reduction in thrust could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to conduct the airplane…
- [NTSB DCA19MA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19MA086.md): Boeing 767 · Trinity Bay, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Feb 23, 2019 · N1217A · Destroyed
  > The inappropriate response by the first officer as the pilot flying to an inadvertent activation of the go-around mode, which led to his spatial disorientation and nose-down control inputs that placed the airplane in a steep descent from which the crew did…
- [NTSB WPR18MA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18MA087.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Peach Springs, AZ · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Major · Final report · Feb 11, 2018 · N155GC · Destroyed
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain during an approach to land in gusting, tailwind conditions in an area of potential downdrafts and turbulence.
- [NTSB CEN17MA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17MA183.md): Learjet 35A · Teterboro, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · May 15, 2017 · N452DA · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's (PIC) attempt to salvage an unstabilized visual approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the PIC's decision to allow an unapproved second-in-command to act as pilot flying, the…
- [NTSB CEN15MA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15MA290.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Frisco, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jul 3, 2015 · N390LG · Destroyed
  > Airbus Helicopters' dual-hydraulic AS350 B3e helicopter's (1) preflight hydraulic check, which depleted hydraulic pressure in the tail rotor hydraulic circuit, and (2) lack of salient alerting to the pilot that hydraulic pressure was not restored before…
- [NTSB DCA15MA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15MA029.md): Embraer EMB-500 · Gaithersburg, MD · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Dec 8, 2014 · N100EQ · Destroyed
  > the pilot's conduct of an approach in structural icing conditions without turning on the airplane's wing and horizontal stabilizer deice system, leading to ice accumulation on those surfaces, and without using the appropriate landing performance speeds for…
- [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 ERA14MA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14MA060.md): Fairchild SA227-AC · La Alianza, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2013 · N831BC · Destroyed
  > The flight crew's excessive elevator input during a rapid descent under night lighting conditions, which resulted in the overstress and breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was an initial loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be…
- [NTSB DCA13MA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13MA081.md): Boeing 747-400 BCF · Bagram, Afghanistan · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Apr 29, 2013 · N949CA · Destroyed
  > National Airlines' inadequate procedures for restraining special cargo loads, which resulted in the loadmaster's improper restraint of the cargo, which moved aft and damaged hydraulic systems Nos. 1 and 2 and horizontal stabilizer drive mechanism components,…
- [NTSB ANC13GA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13GA036.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Final report · Mar 31, 2013 · N911AA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control. Also causal was the Alaska Department of Public Safety's punitive culture and…
- [NTSB DCA12FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12FA051.md): Convair 440 - NO Series · San Juan, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Mar 15, 2012 · N153JR · Destroyed
  > the flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after shutting down the right engine due to an in-flight fire in one of the right augmentors. The failure to maintain airspeed resulted in either an aerodynamic stall or a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454.md): North American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NV · Accident · 11 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 16, 2011 · N79111 · Substantial damage
  > The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate…
- [NTSB ERA10MA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10MA188.md): Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2010 · N855HW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt the flight into approaching adverse weather, resulting in an encounter with a thunderstorm with localized instrument meteorological conditions, heavy rain, and severe turbulence that led to a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN10MA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10MA088.md): Gates Learjet 35A · Prospect Heights, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2010 · N720RA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR09MA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09MA159.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Butte, MT · Accident · 14 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Mar 22, 2009 · N128CM · Substantial damage
  > (1) the pilot's failure to ensure that a fuel system icing inhibitor was added to the fuel before the flights on the day of the accident; (2) his failure to take appropriate remedial actions after a low fuel pressure state (resulting from icing within the…
- [NTSB DCA09MA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA09MA027.md): Bombardier DHC-8-402 · Clarence Center, NY · Accident · 50 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Feb 13, 2009 · N200WQ · Destroyed
  > The captain’s inappropriate response to the activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover. Contributing to the accident were (1) the flight crew's failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the…
- [NTSB ERA09MA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09MA157.md): Cessna 206H · Quebradillas, PR · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2009 · N118ME · Destroyed
  > The pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break up while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09MA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09MA117.md): Sikorsky S-76C · Morgan City, LA · Accident · 8 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 2009 · N748P · Destroyed
  > (1) the sudden loss of power to both engines that resulted from impact with a bird (red-tailed hawk), which fractured the windshield and interfered with engine fuel controls, and (2) the subsequent disorientation of the flight crewmembers, which left them…
- [NTSB MIA08MA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08MA051.md): Cessna 525 · West Gardiner, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2008 · N102PT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control.
- [NTSB ANC08MA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08MA038.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Kodiak, AK · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2008 · N509FN · Substantial damage
  > The failure of company maintenance personnel to ensure that the airplane's nose baggage door latching mechanism was properly configured and maintained, resulting in an inadvertent opening of the nose baggage door in flight. Contributing to the accident were…

## 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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c."investigationClass" = 'Class 1' OR c."caseType" = 'Major - Launch')
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '240' 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/240/sequence?major=1

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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.