# 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 · 88 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 ERA24FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA103.md): Grumman American Avn. GA-7 · Coatesville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N887CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and his subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual maintenance inspection, during which maintenance…
- [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 ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA045.md): Bearhawk Patrol · Hanover Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 29, 2022 · N964RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to unlatch his seatbelt during flight, which allowed him to exit the airplane and impact the tail, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [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 ERA22LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA304.md): Arion Lightning · Indiana, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N326AL · Substantial damage
  > The airplane pilot’s inadvertent encounter with rotor wash/turbulence during short final approach, which resulted in a loss of control in flight.
- [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 ERA21LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA357.md): Enstrom F28 · Toughkenamon, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 8, 2021 · N51789 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB ERA21FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA334.md): North American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 20, 2021 · N52900 · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…
- [NTSB ERA21LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA271.md): Cessna 150 · Bentleyville, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 28, 2021 · N22307 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor and student pilot’s inadequate preflight performance planning which resulted in a takeoff attempt with insufficient available runway, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA253.md): Vans RV6 · Buckingham, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N74MS · Substantial damage
  > An exhaust system leak that resulted in failure of the oil quick drain, a loss of oil lubrication, an in-flight fire, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA191.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 23, 2021 · N4055N · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA171.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Palmyra, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 3, 2021 · N577DD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper judgment to attempt a flight while impaired by medications, which resulted in the helicopter’s abnormal ground contact, loss of control, and collision with terrain.
- [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 ERA20LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA052.md): Beech 55 · Grove City, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2019 · N9404Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of the airplane’s available fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power to the left engine, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while on final approach to the runway.
- [NTSB ERA19LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA285.md): Enstrom F28 · Bloomsburg, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2019 · N380SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper forward airspeed and power during final approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and impact with terrain.
- [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 ERA19LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA061.md): Cessna P210 · Myerstown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2018 · N731LT · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [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 ERA18FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA122.md): MD Helicopter 600 · Smethport, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2018 · N602BP · Destroyed
  > The helicopter pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during power line construction work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking and becoming entangled with a wire and a subsequent dynamic rollover and collision with terrain.…
- [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 ERA18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA032.md): Piper PA 34-220T · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2017 · N263DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly an airplane with a known oil leak, which led to a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind, which led to his attempted go-around and…
- [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 ERA17LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA328.md): Piper J3C · Hanover Township, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N38365 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain roll control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
- [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 ERA17FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA232.md): Morrisey 2150A · Honesdale, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N917JL · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of two psychoactive substances, which led to his impaired decision to attempt to takeoff after engine issues became evident.
- [NTSB ERA17FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA223.md): Slip Stream Genesis · Linesville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N3449 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [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 ERA16FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA143.md): Robinson R44 · Canadensis, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2016 · N776JM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.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 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=PA

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