# NTSB investigations, 2020: 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 · 262 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB GAA21WA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA006.md): Cessna 177 · Rancador, PR, Brazil · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Dec 29, 2020 · PT-KCK · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA101.md): Beech 65-A80-8800 · Alexandria, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 29, 2020 · N134BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff with frost covering the airplane and rotating below the published rotation speed, which led to exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA21LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA088.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Cleveland, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 27, 2020 · N5939D · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA074.md): Aerostar International S-60A · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2020 · N6534A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.
- [NTSB CEN21LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA100.md): Walton Daniel J Sonex · Pecatonica, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 24, 2020 · N610DJ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, and the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and…
- [NTSB CEN21LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA096.md): Express CT · Grand Prairie, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2020 · N772BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the departure turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA095.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Morris, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2020 · N3264U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate pedal application during liftoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA091.md): Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Aledo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 17, 2020 · N102JK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an upright spin into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA070.md): SilverLight AR-1 · Heber City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2020 · N261MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to follow the procedures for takeoff in the Pilot Operating Handbook, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to receive additional training in the gyroplane.
- [NTSB CEN21LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA089.md): Piper PA28 · Bossier City, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2020 · N55168 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to conduct a flight during night instrument meteorological conditions and his loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s use of an amphetamine and his attention…
- [NTSB CEN21LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA088.md): Rans S12XL · Port Isabel, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2020 · N449JP · Substantial damage
  > An exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and aerodynamic stall following a loss of engine power during an unknown phase of flight, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA073.md): Flight Design Ctsw · Marion, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2020 · N138CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, resulting in a rejected takeoff and runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA21LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA068.md): Beech V35A · Attalla, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2020 · N5470U · Destroyed
  > A loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.
- [NTSB CEN21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA084.md): Robinson R44 · Colorado City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 10, 2020 · N7085Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
- [NTSB CEN21LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA080.md): Vans RV6 · Hitchcock, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2020 · N69HF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s impairment by the effects of ingested alcohol, which resulted in the loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA075.md): Piper PA32 · Windom, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2020 · N8178Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA070.md): Piper PA38 · Franklin, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2020 · N9879T · Destroyed
  > The impairment of both pilots from carbon monoxide exposure due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect the degraded muffler.
- [NTSB ERA21LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA058.md): Champion 7FC · Georgetown, DE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 28, 2020 · N7596B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN21LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA069.md): Globe GC1A · Ottawa, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 28, 2020 · N3318K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain attain proper pitch attitude of the airplane causing it to exceed its critical angle of attack, enter an aerodynamic stall, and subsequently impact terrain, and his poor decision making and lack of experience that led…
- [NTSB CEN21LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA067.md): Vans RV4 · Telluride, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 26, 2020 · N87LW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn from the base leg to final approach, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at a low altitude over mountainous…
- [NTSB WPR21WA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21WA063.md): Grob 120A-1 · Beer-Sheba, Israel · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 24, 2020 · 4X-DGA · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA21LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA052.md): Lancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2020 · N3UH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…
- [NTSB WPR21FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA057.md): Blevins Kamron Odyssey · Arlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 20, 2020 · N562TB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB GAA21WA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA173.md): Piper PA11 · Open Door, Argentina · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 17, 2020 · LV-YNN · Substantial damage
- [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 GAA21WA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA005.md): Beech 95B55 · Sao Pedro, SP, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 14, 2020 · PT-OOQ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR21FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA045.md): Cessna 177 · Langley, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 11, 2020 · N34633 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control while attempting to conduct an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power as a result of…
- [NTSB CEN21LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA053.md): Trick Trikes Stss · Holden, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2020 · N5152E · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN21LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA044.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Dunn Center, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2020 · N3606A · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN21LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA051.md): Cirrus SR22 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 6, 2020 · N418DE · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing with a gusting crosswind and his failure to go around and relinquish control of the airplane when directed by the instructor pilot.
- [NTSB ANC21LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA004.md): AutoGyro MTO Sport · Whitewater, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 3, 2020 · N455WM · Destroyed
  > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR21WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21WA036.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Kirkwood, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 31, 2020 · ZS-MAD · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA030.md): Cessna 210 · Lubbock, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2020 · N9622T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly into icing conditions with an airplane that was not equipped for icing, which led to structural icing and a subsequent loss of airplane control, and the pilot’s impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a cracked…
- [NTSB ERA21WA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21WA034.md): Robinson R44 · Cervinia, Italy · Accident · Class 4 · Foreign · Oct 25, 2020 · I-OLLI · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA21FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA029.md): Cessna 172 · Dunnellon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N724BC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN21FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA026.md): Grumman AA5 · Woodbranch, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N26136 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA023.md): Cessna 172 · Carefree, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N7029T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR21FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA025.md): Lancair 235 · Cordes Lakes, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N25NL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic experience in the accident…
- [NTSB ERA21LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA028.md): Bell 206 · Point Lookout, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N716VL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight, and to continue that flight into forecasted and deteriorating instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) in a helicopter that was not equipped for flight in IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s…
- [NTSB CEN21FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA025.md): Beech V35 · Slidell, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N35DC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control shortly after departure for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2020 · N31136 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA002.md): Robinson R44 · Passa Tres, Rio Claro, Brazil · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 15, 2020 · PR-ESK · Substantial damage
- [NTSB GAA21WA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA003.md): Piper PA25 · Juan Jose Rios, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 9, 2020 · XB-OKQ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA21LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA014.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Rural Hall, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2020 · N227PF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and improper recovery from an unusual attitude, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN21LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA008.md): Stephens William E Quicksilver MXL-2 Sport · Mount Vernon, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2020 · N2942A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an…
- [NTSB CEN21FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA007.md): Beech S35 · Telluride, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2020 · N4444K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during the climb to cruise flight resulting in the airplane’s impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to not climb to a higher altitude before proceeding over high terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA006.md): Capella XLS · Firth, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2020 · N7143A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing flare which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR21LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA003.md): Evolution Revo · Hawthorne, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2020 · N449WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA003.md): Socata TBM700 · Corfu, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N965DM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons during the descent to the destination airport.
- [NTSB CEN20LA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA425.md): Cessna 172N · Spring, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2020 · N75634 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during climb and subsequent impact with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?year=2020&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") = 2020
  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=2020

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