# NTSB investigations, AZ: 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 4 · 153 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA240.md): Beech 300 · Chinle, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 5, 2025 · N534AW · Destroyed
  > On August 5, 2025, about 1245 mountain daylight time, a Beech 300, N534AW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chinle, Arizona. The pilot, co-pilot and two medical crew members were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB WPR24FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA185.md): Rans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N518D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA030.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Willcox, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N4011R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in collision with an object.
- [NTSB WPR24FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA112.md): Holmes William B AIR Creation Twin · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 17, 2024 · N4425L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control and subsequent collision with a mesquite tree on approach to land.
- [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 WPR24FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA052.md): Remos Remos GX · Taylor, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 6, 2023 · N449RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff with frost covering the airplane’s wings, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR23LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA348.md): Champion 7KCAB · Benson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2023 · N998B · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA335.md): Cessna 150M · Marble Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2023 · N9328U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after an encounter with windshear during takeoff which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA334.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2023 · N6834W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command’s inadequate preflight planning for the high density altitude and relative humidity conditions and his failure to recognize the need to reject the takeoff, allowing the student pilot to execute an abnormally long takeoff roll and apply…
- [NTSB WPR23LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA162.md): Cessna R182 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2023 · N4166C · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR23LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA013.md): Piper PA-30 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2022 · N7746Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR22FA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA361.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Sahuarita, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 28, 2022 · N74349 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control following a separation of the aileron carry-through cable.
- [NTSB WPR22FA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA348.md): Trom Wayne Vans RV6A · Aztec, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 16, 2022 · N646RV · Destroyed
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to turn away from a suitable emergency landing surface, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed as the…
- [NTSB WPR22LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA199.md): Bearhawk Bearhawk · Holbrook, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 6, 2022 · N22LD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB ANC22FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA030.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 15, 2022 · N7516G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing approach.
- [NTSB WPR22FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA073.md): Mooney M20C · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.
- [NTSB WPR22FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA067.md): Vans RV6 · Show Low, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 22, 2021 · N6000Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an aborted landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR22FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA012.md): Rockwell 112 · Three Points, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2021 · N112LS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR21LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2021 · N74706 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while making a clearing turn which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA288.md): Borom Long-EZ · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 27, 2021 · N966EZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and to retract the speed brake during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct a flight review in an…
- [NTSB WPR21FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA266.md): Beech C90 · Wikieup, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N3688P · Destroyed
  > The failure and separation of the left wing’s outboard section due to a fatigue crack in the lower spar cap. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s decision to repair the wing spar instead of replacing it as recommended by the aircraft manufacturer.…
- [NTSB WPR21FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA227.md): Covey Tri Quickie · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N8054Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the reduced airplane performance due to high density…
- [NTSB WPR21LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA166.md): Cessna 140 · Williams, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2021 · N2506N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in night visual meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA118.md): American AA-1B · St Johns, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 24, 2021 · N30JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate with a demonstrated crosswind velocity above the airplane’s performance capabilities which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA077.md): Bell 47D · Marana, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 1, 2021 · N74823 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 WPR21LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA023.md): Cessna 172 · Carefree, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N7029T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR21FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA025.md): Lancair 235 · Cordes Lakes, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N25NL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic experience in the accident…
- [NTSB WPR20LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA211.md): Bell UH1H · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2020 · N623PB · Destroyed
  > A flight control malfunction due to either a hydraulic hardover or a flight control stiffness event, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR20CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA205.md): Beech 23 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2020 · N8868M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain a climb after an attempted takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a forced landing on a road and subsequent landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB WPR20FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA079.md): Piper PA28 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 24, 2020 · N3672K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon with rising terrain, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering away from rising terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA034.md): Mooney M20C · Flower Pot, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2019 · N5557Q · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing was…
- [NTSB GAA19CA546](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA546.md): Mooney M20M · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2019 · N1085W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch control during takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action.
- [NTSB GAA19CA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA511.md): Piper PA28 · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 25, 2019 · N8619W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper pitch and lateral control during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to relinquish control of the airplane to the instructor.
- [NTSB GAA19CA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA424.md): Cessna 172 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N1079M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.
- [NTSB GAA19CA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA375.md): Cessna 172 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2019 · N606JA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing…
- [NTSB GAA19CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA162.md): Cessna 172 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 2, 2019 · N9404F · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in the left main landing gear impacting a runway sign.
- [NTSB GAA19CA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA133.md): Denney Kitfox IV Speedster · Page, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 8, 2019 · N995BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during the landing flare, which resulted in the left wing striking a tree.
- [NTSB WPR18FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA266.md): Beech 33 · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2018 · N2031D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR18LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA262.md): Cessna 172 · St. Johns, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N734FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning before takeoff in the high density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane being unable to maintain sufficient airspeed to continue to climb.
- [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 GAA18CA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA313.md): Cessna 172 · Payson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2018 · N780JA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a short-field takeoff in high-density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA274.md): Piper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2018 · N430PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA253.md): Cessna 172 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2018 · N99141 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR18LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA121.md): Airborne Windsports PTY XT-912-L · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2018 · N107PW · Substantial damage
  > An inflight loss of control due to failure of the weight-shift-control aircraft's wing assembly.
- [NTSB WPR18FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA119.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power…
- [NTSB GAA18CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA193.md): Piper PA28 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 1, 2018 · N297PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper selection of the flap setting during a go-around, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [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 WPR18LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA031.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Page, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2017 · N744BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight.
- [NTSB WPR18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA014.md): American AA 1A · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N9239L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid unmarked power lines during the approach to land.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?state=AZ&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" = 'AZ' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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?state=AZ

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