# NTSB investigations, VA: 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 · 68 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA203.md): Seamax Aircraft Ltda Seamax M-22 · Dahlgren Center, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2025 · N154RL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with a known…
- [NTSB ERA25FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA185.md): MX Aircraft Tech PTY MXS · Hampton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2025 · N530RH · Substantial damage
  > A counterweight plug that loosened during the accident flight, jammed the elevator, and resulted in loss of control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA25FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA065.md): Truitt James B Vans RV-8A · Fort Blackmore, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 4, 2024 · N627TT · Substantial damage
  > On December 4, 2024, about 1451 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-8A, N627TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Blackmore, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB ERA24FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA209.md): Rockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 5, 2024 · N690BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA23FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA103.md): Piper PA28 · Suffolk, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 7, 2023 · N592FL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and…
- [NTSB ERA23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA008.md): Cessna 172 · Newport News, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 6, 2022 · N97883 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall from which she was unable to recover.
- [NTSB ERA22LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA145.md): Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 C-2 · Abingdon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2022 · N29VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter skids while landing on a dolly at night, which resulted in the skids becoming entangled with the dolly and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue as a result of the time the accident…
- [NTSB ERA22FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA114.md): Cessna 310 · Danville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 1, 2022 · N622QT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s impairment due to exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of undetected engine exhaust penetration into the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's failure to maintain a minimum controllable airspeed after partially securing an engine after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA202.md): Cessna 172S · Martinsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2021 · N1089D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper pitch control during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a tail strike and a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA21LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA183.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Weyers Cave, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2021 · N7242F · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the rudder control system, which resulted in failure of the rudder control assembly and the pilot’s loss of control during a go-around.
- [NTSB ERA20LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA305.md): Piper PA20 · Luray, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2020 · N7323K · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA097.md): Aviastroitel AC 4C · Front Royal, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 9, 2020 · N912ES · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA20CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA072.md): Beech 23 · Norfolk, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 7, 2020 · N24690 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain airplane control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during the go-around.
- [NTSB WPR19TA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA142.md): Zenair Zenith CH 701 · Marion, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 30, 2019 · N396PH · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain control following a bounced landing and his decision to fly the airplane without proper training.
- [NTSB ERA19FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA036.md): Titan Tornado 1 · Louisa, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2018 · N38FD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the airplane's exceedance of its critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA18LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA233.md): Cessna 172 · New Kent, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 26, 2018 · N1537U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around.
- [NTSB DCA18IA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18IA269.md): DJI Phantom · Blacksburg, VA · Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2018 · FA3HCWCR4X · Minor damage
  > the drone pilot's incorrect control inputs due to insufficient knowledge of the aircraft flight manual procedures. Contributing to the incident was the close proximity of the observers, and the decision to conduct a demonstration near the observers in a…
- [NTSB ERA18FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA187.md): Robinson R44 · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2018 · N616HS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA18FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA150.md): Piper PA28 · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2018 · N6177W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA18FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA127.md): Cessna 525 · Crozet, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 16, 2018 · N525P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control while operating in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate an airplane after consuming alcohol and his resulting…
- [NTSB GAA18CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA060.md): Hughes 300 · Woodlawn, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 22, 2017 · N9685F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inappropriate descent profile during landing with a quartering gusting tailwind, which resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm.
- [NTSB ERA18FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA006.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Front Royal, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 2017 · N90866 · Destroyed
  > The tow plane pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the glider instructor's diversion of attention away from the tow airplane which resulted in his delay in…
- [NTSB GAA17CA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA540.md): Cessna 172 · Lynchburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N5396D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in an aborted go-around, an aerodynamic stall, and a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA17FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA274.md): Bell 407 · Charlottesville, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2017 · N31VA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, leading to a high rate of descent to the ground with a right spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent and recurrent training in vortex ring state recognition…
- [NTSB ERA17LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA229.md): Aviat A-1C-180 · Dillwyn, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2017 · N272WY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of a grass airstrip that was of insufficient length for landing, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA17CA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA216.md): Cessna 172 · Emporia, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2017 · N2460A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for landing and his improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA165.md): Ganjoo Amit Sonex · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2017 · N212AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat appropriately, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice.
- [NTSB GAA17CA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA241.md): American AA 1 · New Market, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2017 · N5690L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in an impact with trees.
- [NTSB ERA16CA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA239.md): Piper PA 22-160 · Harrisonburg, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 2, 2016 · N8130D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA16CA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA211.md): Piper PA-28 · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2016 · N9297J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA235.md): Cessna 182P · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N58625 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing in variable direction and gusting wind conditions, resulting in a landing off the side of the runway and impact with a drainage culvert.
- [NTSB ERA16LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA179.md): Taylorcraft BC12 D · Critz, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 7, 2016 · N43363 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while on final approach, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA167.md): Sewell William K Zodiac 601 · Clarksville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 29, 2016 · N601BZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane drifting to the left of the runway and impacting trees.
- [NTSB GAA16CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA110.md): Piper PA32RT · Melfa, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 19, 2016 · N3046H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusting crosswind during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, impact with a structure, and subsequent postimpact fire.
- [NTSB GAA16CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA094.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 Eaglet · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 1, 2016 · N112TE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff which resulted in impact with the ground.
- [NTSB GAA16CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA066.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 5 · West Point, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2015 · N28295 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly a traffic pattern following an aborted instrument landing in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference to the runway, an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA046.md): U-Fly-It Aerolite 103 · Midland, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA15LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA257.md): Piper PA28 · Galax Hillsville, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2015 · N43503 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA15FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA215.md): Beech 95 B55 (T42A) · Saltville, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 2015 · N5816S · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s flight into developing rain showers and updrafts, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s continued flight into forecast adverse weather conditions, and his reliance on…
- [NTSB ERA15FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA170.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Orange, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N32396 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA15CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA059.md): Hiller OH 23B · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 24, 2014 · N6057 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hovering in gusting crosswind conditions resulting in the student pilot's loss of control of the helicopter. Contributing was the delayed remedial action of the flight instructor.
- [NTSB ERA15CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA012.md): Schweizer SGS 2 33A · Waynesboro, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 4, 2014 · N3619T · Substantial damage
  > The glider's inadvertent encounter with low altitude wind shear.
- [NTSB ERA14CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA367.md): Cessna 162 · Winchester, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2014 · N6004U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted landing.
- [NTSB ERA14LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA302.md): Bailey Robert Moyes Dragonfly · Melfa, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2014 · N286A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain roll control during the initial takeoff and his decision to take off with only partial power applied.
- [NTSB ERA14CA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA320.md): Fairchild M 62C(PT-23A) · Petersburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 22, 2014 · N60418 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was the changing wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA185.md): Cessna 205A · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 8, 2014 · N4862U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA006.md): Cessna 340A · Hampton Roads, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2013 · N4TK · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation in low-visibility conditions while maneuvering during a missed approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ineffective use of the onboard GPS equipment.
- [NTSB ERA13FA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA385.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Danville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2013 · N9089N · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain control and climb the airplane during a go-around maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to provide adequate oversight of the student pilot by ensuring that the cockpit was free of…
- [NTSB ERA13CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA090.md): American AA-5 · Hot Springs, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 20, 2012 · N5813L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to land in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA12FA583](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA583.md): Cessna 150M · Fredericksburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2012 · N66246 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.

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

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