# NTSB investigations, MA: 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 ERA26FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA329.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Ludlow, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 6, 2026 · N7653F · Destroyed
  > On September 5, 2026, about 2105 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N7653F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ludlow, Massachusetts. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB ERA26FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA011.md): Socata TBM 700 · Dartmouth, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 13, 2025 · N111RF · Substantial damage
  > On October 13, 2025, at about 0815 eastern daylight time, a Socata TBM 700C2, N111RF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured and an automobile…
- [NTSB ERA25FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA230.md): Mooney M20F · Beverly, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 19, 2025 · N9573M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to return to the airport which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the improperly installed No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug by maintenance personnel,…
- [NTSB ERA24FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA088.md): Beech 95-B55 (T42A) · Leyden, MA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 14, 2024 · N7345R · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin from which the airplane was not recovered. Contributing to the accident were the overall effect of the flight instructor’s use of multiple…
- [NTSB ERA22LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA270.md): Burrill Steven E A Plane · Middleboro, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 11, 2022 · N51324 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA22LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA043.md): Piper PA-28-236 · Orleans, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N2186U · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering over water in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA21LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA177.md): Forisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II · Worcester, MA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2021 · N61EF · Substantial damage
  > Binding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn.
- [NTSB ERA21LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA122.md): Piper PA46 · Leicester, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 2, 2021 · N221ST · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the minimum airspeed for flight in icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of elevator control during approach due to ice accumulation.
- [NTSB ERA19TA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA278.md): Cessna 208 · Pepperell, MA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Sep 20, 2019 · N895SF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control when the airplane encountered a downdraft during landing approach, which resulted in a subsequent hard landing and gear collapse.
- [NTSB ERA19FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA107.md): Cessna 172 · Mansfield, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2019 · N224TA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA18FA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA251.md): Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 · Woburn, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N2536T · Destroyed
  > The pilots' loss of control during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA18LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA175.md): Aircraft Mfg & Development CH 2000 · Newburyport, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 2018 · N239AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for existing crosswind conditions during the final approach and landing flare, which led to the airplane drifting left of the runway, and his delayed decision to go around, which resulted in the airplane touching…
- [NTSB GAA17CA557](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA557.md): Bellet James J Vans RV 8 · Orange, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 26, 2017 · N184SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to remove the engine cowl plugs during preflight, which resulted in excessive engine cylinder head temperatures during climb and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA17FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA117.md): Lavender Alan P Sonex · Methuen, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2017 · N315AL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly secure oil and fuel line fittings during maintenance, which resulted in an inflight engine fire, and his subsequent loss of control while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention…
- [NTSB GAA16CA515](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA515.md): Cessna 172 · Pittsfield, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 25, 2016 · N73101 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate and runway alignment during the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane touching down left of the runway and impacting a ditch.
- [NTSB ERA16LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA115.md): Beech 95 C55 · Plymouth, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 2016 · N482S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA16FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA023.md): Mooney M20M · Worcester, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2015 · N243CW · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a fatigue failure of the engine's crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA15CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA101.md): Cessna 150L · Stow, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 15, 2015 · N5443Q · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action in response to the student pilot's improper go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall, and impacting a parked airplane.
- [NTSB ERA13FA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA372.md): Aeronca 7AC · Taunton, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2013 · N83863 · Destroyed
  > The pilot/owner’s inadequate preflight inspection and inadequate pretakeoff check of the flight controls, which resulted in a takeoff with the rudder gust lock installed. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-rated passenger’s failure to detect that the…
- [NTSB ERA13LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA270.md): Maule BEE DEE M-4-210 · Cuttyhunk, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2013 · N9807M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA13CA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA210.md): Cessna 172N · Stow, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2013 · N739CK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA12FA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA540.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Falmouth, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2012 · N221DV · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s poor control of the airplane during the approach.
- [NTSB ERA12LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA145.md): Piper PA-24-180 · Brewster, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 2012 · N7648P · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA11CA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA235.md): Robinson R22 · Marlboro, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 10, 2011 · N791SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA10LA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA488.md): Schulman Mosquito XEL · Halifax, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2010 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control while hovering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s limited experience operating the helicopter make and model.
- [NTSB ERA10FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA414.md): Cessna 172 · Orange, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2010 · N21363 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots did not maintain control of the airplane during a flight in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA10CA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA393.md): Maule M-7-260 · Onset, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2010 · N3188L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA09CA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA401.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Bedford, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2009 · N211SH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action while conducting hover practice with a student pilot, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over when it contacted the ground.
- [NTSB ERA09CA553](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA553.md): Champion 7GCAA · Ware, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2009 · N1879G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing.
- [NTSB NYC08FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA324.md): Cessna 402 · Vineyard Haven, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2008 · N770CA · Destroyed
  > A loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB MIA08FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA163.md): Beech G35 · South Easton, MA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2008 · N4615D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while attempting to execute an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument currency.
- [NTSB NYC08FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA218.md): Dehavilland DHC6 · Hyannis, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2008 · N656WA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to remove the flight control lock prior to takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to issue an airworthiness directive making the manufacturer's previously-issued flight control lock service…

## 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" = 'MA' 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=MA

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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.