# NTSB investigations, NV: 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 · 78 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA189.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Empire, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 17, 2026 · N8502N · Substantial damage
  > On May 17, 2026, about 0738 PDT, a Piper PA-32-300, N8502N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Empire, Nevada. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR25LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA110.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2025 · N44KY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control after the door opened during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm that the door was properly closed before departure.
- [NTSB WPR24FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA284.md): Lockwood AIR CAM · Minden, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 20, 2024 · N2412Y · Substantial damage
  > On August 20, 2024, about 0819 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lockwood Air Cam, N2412Y, was substantially damaged when in was involved in an accident at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured, and the…
- [NTSB WPR23LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA330.md): Yamaha Fazer SAR · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2023 · N53GR · Substantial damage
  > The operator’s incorrect input into the ground station controller, resulting in a loss of control during flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA325.md): Cessna 172M · Carson City, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2023 · N4432R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR23LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA233.md): Cessna 170B · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2023 · N8223A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during takeoff.
- [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 WPR23LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA111.md): Glasair Sportsman · Cal-Nev-Ari, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 19, 2023 · N2847H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with known damage to the wing and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff on rough terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA078.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 28, 2022 · N835GC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to apply anti-torque pedal input in a sufficient, timely, and sustained manner while attempting to arrest a turn during a hover-taxi, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Contributing to the severity of the occupants’ injuries…
- [NTSB WPR22FA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA350.md): Aerovodochody L-29 Delfin · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 18, 2022 · N129MM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s in-flight incapacitation due to G-induced loss of consciousness, which resulted in a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA205.md): Bell HH-1H · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2022 · N91JK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.
- [NTSB WPR22LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA096.md): Bell 47 · Fallon, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2022 · N1023V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover which, resulted in a collision with a hangar.
- [NTSB WPR21FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA203.md): Dassault Mirage F-1 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 24, 2021 · N567EM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on approach and failure to fly a traffic pattern track consistent with a no-flap configuration. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane’s flaps to extend while in the…
- [NTSB WPR21LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA201.md): Cessna 182P · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 18, 2021 · N8488M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on approach in microburst or windshear conditions, which resulted in impact with a runway sign.
- [NTSB WPR21LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA222.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2021 · N1996T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to compensate for a downdraft during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA058.md): Air Creation Tanarg · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2020 · N912U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR20LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA216.md): Schleicher ASW27 · Ely, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N167TM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of glider control while maneuvering near a mountain ridge in downdrafts and dry microbursts at an altitude that precluded recovery.
- [NTSB WPR20CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197.md): Robinson R44 · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N7530B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA167.md): Cessna 172 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 3, 2020 · N478ER · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a soft-field takeoff and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR20CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA162.md): Bell 206 · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2020 · N401HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control in gusting wind that resulted in a loss in altitude and subsequent collision with a fence.
- [NTSB WPR20FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA031.md): Grumman AA5 · Jackpot, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 23, 2019 · N310PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while departing in dark night conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s limited experience flying in night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA263.md): Cessna 182 · Nixon, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2019 · N1891X · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control while maneuvering due to spatial disorientation after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in IMC conditions.
- [NTSB GAA19CA550](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA550.md): Pzl Okecie PZL104 · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2019 · N123T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, resulting in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA252.md): Beech C24 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N24030 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s operation of the airplane over its maximum gross weight and outside of center of gravity limits at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering and subsequent aerodynamic…
- [NTSB WPR19TA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA245.md): Bell 47G · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Aug 28, 2019 · N6064H · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated passenger’s loss of control during attempted hover operations.
- [NTSB GAA19CA447](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA447.md): Biuro Projektowe B Bogumil Ber SZD-56-2 · Sparks, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N821W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner, which resulted in glider settling into sage brush.
- [NTSB GAA19CA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA281.md): Cessna 340 · Carvers, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 3, 2019 · N5418M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to accurately assess the available runway for the takeoff, which resulted in impact with a gravel berm.
- [NTSB WPR18FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA253.md): Commander 114 · Jean, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N6064C · Destroyed
  > The pilot failed to maintain adequate speed while maneuvering at a low attitude during night and entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.
- [NTSB WPR18FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA247.md): Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus T · New Washoe City, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 2, 2018 · N22XC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s delayed recovery from an inadvertent spin and/or spiral dive and an exceedance of the glider’s design limit load during recovery, which resulted in an overload failure of both wings.
- [NTSB GAA18CA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA512.md): Bell 206 · Battle Mountain, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N8052G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA123.md): Oliver Lawrence R Kitfox IV 1200 · Carson City, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 11, 2018 · N76478 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and lateral control during the go-around in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the flight instructor and the…
- [NTSB GAA18CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA125.md): Baker Victor R Kitfox · Carson City, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 9, 2018 · N377KJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-receiving-instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR18LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA082.md): Beech 95 · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 2, 2018 · N128W · Substantial damage
  > Loss of aircraft control during an unplanned go-around for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor.
- [NTSB GAA17CA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA386.md): Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI · Ely, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2017 · N31MX · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/spin.
- [NTSB GAA17CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA340.md): Sportine Aviacija LAK 12 · Reno, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N4206N · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch during an aerotow takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA17CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA287.md): Johnson Kenneth W Super CUB Sport · Austin, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 12, 2017 · N1111E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB GAA17CA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA250.md): North Wing Uum Sport X2-N · Boulder City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2017 · N366DN · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the weight-shift-control aircraft’s critical angle of attack and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and failure to maintain the proper airspeed after encountering localized turbulence during approach, which…
- [NTSB GAA17CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA033.md): Stinson 108 3 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 19, 2016 · N818C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aerial pickup towline was not entangled around the horizontal stabilizer after the banner pickup.
- [NTSB WPR16FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA178.md): Piper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2016 · N821ET · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to depart with the airplane loaded above its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to…
- [NTSB WPR16FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA172.md): Beech A36 · Sparks, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2016 · N985CA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's selection of a landing runway which, given the wind and traffic conditions, was susceptible to high crosswinds and the translation of wake turbulence across its approach path, and the controller's and pilot's failure to ensure separation from the…
- [NTSB GAA16CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA279.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2016 · N441JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's incorrect action of interfering with the flight controls and failure to comply with the flight instructor's commands, which resulted in a loss of lateral bank control and a rollover.
- [NTSB WPR16LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA069.md): Bell 47G 3B 1 · Carson City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 2016 · N1181W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR16LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA056.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2016 · N7020U · Substantial damage
  > The loss of helicopter control as a result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA16CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA026.md): Rans S-7 · Gerlach, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 21, 2015 · N272X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch and airspeed control, in conjunction with full flaps, while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in a tail-stall and subsequent impact with the ground.
- [NTSB GAA16CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA055.md): Bell 47G · Searchlight, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2015 · N73224 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.
- [NTSB WPR14FA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA369.md): Backovich George C G P 5 · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2014 · N501GP · Destroyed
  > The failure of the right wing under normal race loads due to an improper repair of the right wing spar that reduced its structural strength following a previous landing accident.
- [NTSB WPR14LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA356.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Gardnerville, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2014 · N4187W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR14GA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14GA281.md): American Eurocopter AS350B3 · Fallon, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jul 4, 2014 · N832PA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in an uncontrolled rotation and descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was a sudden shift in wind conditions and the helicopter's high power demand condition due to its load weight and operating…
- [NTSB WPR14FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA243.md): Dittenber Thomas J Auriga · Echo Bay, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2014 · N55GM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for landing to an unlit runway in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR14LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA222.md): Phillips BD 4 · Dayton, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2014 · N11DV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during the turn onto the final base leg in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a stall/spin at too low an altitude to allow recovery.

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

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