# NTSB investigations, 2017: 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 · 283 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR18WA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18WA060.md): De Havilland DHC2 · Cottage Point, Australia · Accident · 6 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 31, 2017 · VH-NOO · Destroyed
  > On December 31, 2017, at 1515 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2, VH-NOO, collided with water during takeoff initial climb near Cottage Point, Australia. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The flight was operated…
- [NTSB CEN18FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA063.md): Cessna 208 · Punta Islita, Costa Rica · Accident · 12 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2017 · TI-BEI · Destroyed
  > The flight crew's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering to exit an area of rising terrain, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's…
- [NTSB CEN18FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA061.md): Cessna 340 · Bartow, FL · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2017 · N247AT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation during takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR18WA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18WA054.md): Bell UH1H · Bredasdorp, South Africa · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 21, 2017 · ZS-HLI · Substantial damage
  > On December 21, 2017, about 1105 Coordinated Universal time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, ZS-HLI, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after liftoff from Bredasdorp fire station, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The helicopter was…
- [NTSB ERA18FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA056.md): Beech G35 · Cross City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2017 · N354WD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB GAA18CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA092.md): Piper PA28 · Mankato, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 20, 2017 · N284MK · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and subsequent go-around during which the student exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ANC18LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA016.md): Piper PA 23-250 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2017 · N40285 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to comply with published engine-out procedures and recommended airspeeds, which resulted in a lack of directional control, collision with trees, and impact with the ground; the left engine lost total power due to fuel…
- [NTSB CEN18FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA050.md): Smith Aerostar 601 · Miami, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2017 · N7529S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control while returning to the airport after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [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 WPR18FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA045.md): Beech C90 · Geneva, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2017 · N19LW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's impairment…
- [NTSB ERA18FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA046.md): Beech 58 · St. Croix · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2017 · N4494A · Destroyed
  > The non-multiengine rated pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the left engine due to detonation for reasons that could not be determined based on the…
- [NTSB WPR18LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA047.md): Cessna 172D · Auburn, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 7, 2017 · N2351U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA045.md): Piper Titan Tornado II D · Ravenna, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2017 · N2200T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of engine power during final approach for landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA18CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA067.md): Todd Foley Zenith 701 · Mount Airy, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 1, 2017 · N701TF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA18CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA066.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2017 · N744WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA18CA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA058.md): Cessna 182 · Black River Falls, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 27, 2017 · N8128M · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the high-performance airplane during the go-around in crosswind conditions.
- [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 ERA18FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA030.md): Mooney M20C · Starke, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2017 · N6894N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing was the pilot's lack of instrument currency and his self-induced pressure to complete the flight.
- [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 CEN18LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA039.md): Piper PA 12 · Dickinson, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2017 · N4040M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed during the short field takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR18FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA035.md): Cessna 152 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2017 · N24987 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness shortly after takeoff over a sparsely lit area in dark night conditions, which resulted in a rapid descent to ground impact.
- [NTSB ERA18WA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA160.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Itapolis, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 14, 2017 · PR-AAV · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER AIRCRAFT PA-25-235 airplane that occurred on November 14, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under…
- [NTSB ERA18FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA022.md): Piper PA32 · Fountain Run, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2017 · N3371W · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…
- [NTSB WPR18LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA031.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Page, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2017 · N744BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight.
- [NTSB ERA18FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA016.md): Piper PA 32 · Morrison, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2017 · N47831 · Destroyed
  > The pilots' loss of control during a missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ANC18FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA007.md): Icon A5 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2017 · N922BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to perform aggressive, low-altitude maneuvers due to his impairment from the use of multiple psychoactive substances, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR18FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA026.md): Piper PA 18-150 · Murphy, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2017 · N4393Z · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the left aileron control cable that resulted in a loss of aircraft control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspections to the aileron cable connections.
- [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 GAA18CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA035.md): Smith Aerostar 600A · Tallahassee, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 27, 2017 · N211W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect pitch control and premature landing gear retraction during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ANC18WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18WA076.md): Piper PA34 · Calgary Springbank, Canada · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 26, 2017 · C-GCCM · Substantial damage
  > On October 26, 2017, about 0952 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T airplane, C-GCCM, departed controlled flight and impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Calgary Springbank Airport (CYBW), Alberta, Canada. The flight instructor and pilot…
- [NTSB ERA18WA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA029.md): Cessna A188 · Sao Felix do Xingu, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 24, 2017 · PR-RBA · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA A188 airplane that occurred on October 24, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB CEN18LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA019.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Olton, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2017 · N502G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering during the aerial application flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.
- [NTSB ERA18WA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA017.md): Cessna 210 · Itaituba, Brazil · Accident · 5 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 22, 2017 · PT-ORU · Destroyed
  > On October 22, 2017, about 2105 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 210N, Brazilian registration PT-ORU, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it collided with terrain following a low altitude maneuver near Itaituba, Brazil. The two foreign…
- [NTSB WPR18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA014.md): American AA 1A · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N9239L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid unmarked power lines during the approach to land.
- [NTSB WPR18FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA011.md): Peterson Lancair Legacy · Bowie, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2017 · N259L · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of control due to a bird strike.
- [NTSB GAA18CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA015.md): Thomas G Parkhurst Kitfox IV · Sidney, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2017 · N37TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a loss of ground reference during landing in glaring sun conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
- [NTSB CEN18LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA015.md): Cessna 150J · Willmar, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2017 · N50609 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper conduct of the soft-field takeoff, which led to his failure to attain adequate airspeed, and the flight instructor’s subsequent improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR18LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Molokai, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2017 · N820DF · Destroyed
  > A descent and subsequent impact with open ocean waters for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ANC18FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA003.md): Cessna 210 · Russian Mission, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2017 · N8347Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA18CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA012.md): Eurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 · Canton, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N140SF · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's incorrect cyclic control during a hover, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA18WA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA015.md): Cessna U206 · Itaituba, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 11, 2017 · PT-LSC · Destroyed
  > On October 11, 2017, about 1600 universal coordinated time, a Cessna U206G, Brazilian registration PT-LSC, was destroyed when it collided with a tree during takeoff near Itaituba, State of Para, Brazil. The pilot was fatally injured, and one passenger…
- [NTSB CEN18LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA012.md): Globe GC 1A · Los Lunas, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 2017 · N90365 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of directional control during takeoff and impact with a steel culvert.
- [NTSB CEN18FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA004.md): Aero Vodochody L39C · Vernon, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2017 · N580LL · Destroyed
  > An in-flight loss of control and collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA18CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA006.md): Maule M 7 · Manokatak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2017 · N81818 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
- [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 GAA18CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA002.md): Ultralight America Spitfire II · Camarillo, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2017 · N2918A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to track the runway centerline during an attempted go-around, which resulted in impact with a hangar.
- [NTSB ERA18WA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA009.md): Zlin Z50 · Gauteng Province, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 6, 2017 · ZS-VAR · Destroyed
  > On October 6, 2017, about 1530 coordinated universal time, a Zlin Z-50L, South African registration ZS-VAR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Kitty Hawk Airport (FAKT), Gauteng Province, South Africa. The pilot was fatally…
- [NTSB ERA18FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA004.md): Cessna 401 · Salters, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2017 · N401HH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver in a non-aerobatic airplane, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane during the maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by the effects of…
- [NTSB CEN18FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA003.md): Schaffer Fisher Horizon 2 · Eden Prairie, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2017 · N428AP · Destroyed
  > An inflight loss of control and collision with terrain for undetermined reasons after a thorough examination of the airplane's flight controls was unable to confirm control continuity. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the…
- [NTSB ERA18LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA002.md): Cessna 182 · San Juan, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2017 · N9021X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from helicopters during the approach for landing, resulting in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?year=2017&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") = 2017
  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=2017

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