# NTSB investigations, 2016: 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 6 · 284 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR17FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA044.md): Cessna 182 · Dabob, WA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2016 · N52388 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue a night visual flight rules into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain…
- [NTSB CEN17FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA072.md): Cessna 525 · Cleveland, OH · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2016 · N614SB · Destroyed
  > Controlled flight into terrain due to pilot spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue, mode confusion related to the status of the autopilot, and negative learning transfer due to flight guidance panel and attitude indicator…
- [NTSB WPR17LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA043.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt. Baldy, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2016 · N324RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed during a low orbiting approach over a confined mountainous area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to land in an area that did not allow for a safe exit path under conditions near…
- [NTSB ERA17WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA076.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Santa Juana, Chile · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 28, 2016 · CC-CCJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN17LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA062.md): Piper PA22 · Piedmont, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2016 · N5499Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s descent below glidepath, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines.
- [NTSB ERA17FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA074.md): Independent Technologies Epic LT · Port Orange, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2016 · N669WR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to fly a stabilized approach…
- [NTSB WPR17FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA041.md): Petrus David Wayne S90 · Fresno, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2016 · N176PA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's abnormally steep takeoff climb followed by a loss of control and rapid descent to ground impact, for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA17FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA072.md): Piper PA28 · Middlebury, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2016 · N31202 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to return to the airport following a partial or complete loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of…
- [NTSB GAA17CA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA103.md): Piper PA28 · Shreveport, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 22, 2016 · N9541W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ANC17LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA013.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Palmer, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2016 · N121MR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) during a pinnacle landing, which resulted in a main rotor stall condition, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's…
- [NTSB ERA17WA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA079.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Primavera do Leste, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 13, 2016 · PR-AJF · Destroyed
  > On December 13, 2016, about 1930 coordinated universal time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, Brazilian registration PR-AJF, was destroyed after it impacted terrain and was subject to a postcrash fire, during an agricultural spraying operation near Primavera do Leste,…
- [NTSB WPR17FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA035.md): Quest Kodiak 100 · Moab, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2016 · N772RT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA17CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA068.md): Beech A36 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 12, 2016 · N776WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inappropriate response to an emergency exit window opening in flight, which resulted in a loss of control, precautionary off-airport landing, and subsequent impact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper repair of the…
- [NTSB CEN17FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA053.md): Aircraft Mfg & Design CH601XL Slsa · Marengo, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2016 · N4218 · Destroyed
  > A loss of control in flight for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were identified during the investigation.
- [NTSB CEN17WA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA051.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Alsace, France · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2016 · HB-LSD · Destroyed
  > On December 7, 2016, at 1644 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-34-200T airplane, Switzerland registration HB-LSD, was destroyed when it collided with the terrain near Alsace, France. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane departed the Nurnberg…
- [NTSB CEN17FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA050.md): Cub Crafters PA18 · Basin, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2016 · N444GB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC17FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA009.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 7, 2016 · N88452 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at an altitude too low to allow for recovery from an intentional aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of knowledge of the stall performance characteristics of the airplane modified…
- [NTSB WPR17FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA033.md): Airborne Windsports PTY Edge XT-912-L · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2016 · N188M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.
- [NTSB ERA17FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA066.md): Fairchild SA227 · Camilla, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2016 · N765FA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to initiate and continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN17FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA046.md): Gordon Pegazair P 100 · Mt Vernon, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2016 · N129LZ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment resulting from the combination of his progressive degenerative neurologic condition and his use of alcohol.
- [NTSB WPR17FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA029.md): Bellanca 7GCAA · Glamis, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2016 · N88373 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to attempt a downwind landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a go-around and subsequent landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an…
- [NTSB ERA17FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA052.md): Ryan Navion · New Gretna, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2016 · N4976K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and in-flight weather evaluation, which resulted in an encounter with a strong cold front and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN17LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA042.md): Northwing Navajo · Daingerfield, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2016 · N360XL · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s unfamiliarity with the aircraft, which resulted in a loss of control during an unintentional takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR17FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA023.md): Cessna 172N · Moss Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2016 · N6610D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…
- [NTSB ERA17FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA050.md): Curtiss JN4 · Williamson, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2016 · N1662 · Destroyed
  > The in-flight failure of the propeller due to excessive engine vibration loads and the use of an incorrectly-sized propeller, which resulted in a fatigue crack of the leading edge strip. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate repair of the propeller…
- [NTSB GAA17CA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA061.md): Beech 95B55 · Plattsburgh, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 14, 2016 · N180GA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during a single-engine approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for the flight instructor to recover.
- [NTSB GAA17CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2016 · N744JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA17LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA041.md): Beech 36 · Ormond Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2016 · N3089A · Destroyed
  > A loss of aircraft control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the flight controls that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB GAA17CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA057.md): Piper PA18 · Mouth of The Big Susitna River, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 7, 2016 · N62744 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off with a gusting quartering tailwind and his subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN17LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA037.md): Johnson Kenneth R Stol CH 801 · Royalton, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2016 · N801KJ · Destroyed
  > The loss of control during approach for reasons that could not be determined due to postimpact fire damage.
- [NTSB ERA17LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA032.md): Bell OH 58C · Cameron, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2016 · N139RD · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of a main rotor blade due to fatigue cracks. Contributing to the failure of the main rotor blade was the absence of guidance to the operator to inspect an area of the main rotor blade known to be susceptible to fatigue cracks and the…
- [NTSB GAA17CA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA198.md): Aeros 2 · Blountstown, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 29, 2016 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's decision to fly the weight-shift-controlled aircraft without having received training in the aircraft type, which resulted in his loss of aircraft control shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA17LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA031.md): Haddow William H Pitts Special S 1 · New Bern, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2016 · N27832 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of biplane control during aerobatic maneuvers for reasons that could not be determined because a portion of the biplane's flight control system was not recovered and could not be tested.
- [NTSB ANC17FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA003.md): Cessna 172 · Palmer, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2016 · N6353E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.
- [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 CEN17FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA028.md): Aviat A-1C-180 · Clarksville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2016 · N377MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN17WA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA086.md): Mooney M20K · Saarbrucken, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 27, 2016 · N400MW · Substantial damage
  > On October 27, 2016, about 0946 UTC, a Mooney M20T, N400MW, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted on the runway at the Saarbrucken-Ensheim Airport (EDDR), Saarbrucken, Germany. The pilot on board was fatally injured and the airplane was…
- [NTSB CEN17LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA027.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Hereford, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2016 · N8525G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cotton crop while maneuvering during agricultural application operations, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN17FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA026.md): Roe Cleo Wittman Tailwind W10 · Pearland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2016 · N557CL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate training…
- [NTSB CEN17LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA032.md): Boeing A75N1 (PT17) · Ingleside, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2016 · N48182 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper yaw and roll control during takeoff, which resulted in excessive adverse yaw upon liftoff.
- [NTSB GAA17CA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA040.md): Piper PA 20S · Arcadia, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2016 · N7329K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch and power control during landing in a straight float-equipped airplane on grass in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB GAA17CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA034.md): Yakovlev YAK · Tracy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2016 · N38YK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unstabilized approach and delayed application of full throttle for a go-around, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB WPR17LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA015.md): Ryan W Gross Arion Lighting · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2016 · N235SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff/initial climb due to his inexperience in the airplane make and model and his refusal to obtain training in the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN17FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA024.md): Beech C23 · Osage Beach, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2016 · N20087 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control while maneuvering shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's attempt to climb with the flaps fully extended.
- [NTSB ERA17FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA027.md): Nanchang CJ6 · Blackshear, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2016 · N10EB · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The Bama 3 pilot's failure to properly conduct an overshoot maneuver and his premature climb before he was clear of the lead airplane, Bama 1, which lead to a midair collision
- [NTSB GAA17CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA035.md): Piper PA 28 · Fresno, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 19, 2016 · N5541F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone.
- [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 ERA17LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA024.md): Cessna 172 · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2016 · N1827Y · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve and the noncertificated pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being overloaded, both of which led to the airplane's inability to attain a positive climb rate.…
- [NTSB GAA17CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA030.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Paragould, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2016 · N4218E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to avoid electrical wires during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB CEN17FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA016.md): Makela RV-4 · Oregonia, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2016 · N2626C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in the collision with a zipline.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?year=2016&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 year(c."eventDate") = 2016
  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?year=2016

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