# NTSB investigations, CA: Off-field or emergency landing

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 7 · 304 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA268.md): Piper PA-18 · Colusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N7590K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and in-flight decision making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR26LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA263.md): Schleicher ASW-27 · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 15, 2026 · N920KB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to see and avoid a piece of loose wire in a field during an off-airport landing in a glider, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to maintain a safe position behind the tow airplane…
- [NTSB WPR26LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA240.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2026 · N501CR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR26LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA173.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2026 · N143AW · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR26LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA158.md): Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI · Williams, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Apr 13, 2026 · N77UK · Substantial damage
  > On April 13, 2026, about 1051 Pacific standard time, an experimental Alexander Schleicher GMBH and Co., Ash 31 Mi Glider, N77UK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Williams, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The…
- [NTSB WPR26LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA071.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 23, 2025 · N272HM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional deployment of the airframe parachute system due to task-saturation in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR26LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA065.md): Cessna 150F · Temecula, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2025 · N8155S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR25LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA292.md): Cessna 182N · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Sep 23, 2025 · N766EE · Substantial damage
  > On September 23, 2025, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, N766EE, a Cessna 182N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fallbrook, California. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB WPR25LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA261.md): Piper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 17, 2025 · N8150J · Substantial damage
  > On August 16, 2025, about 1737 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8150J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB WPR25LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA175.md): Cessna 182P · Hyampom, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2025 · N78720 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and a subsequent impact with terrain during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR25FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA146.md): Cessna 177RG · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2025 · N52156 · Substantial damage
  > An improperly tightened B-nut fitting at the fuel flow divider, which resulted in a fuel leak and loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect and correct the discrepancy.
- [NTSB WPR25LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA095.md): Quicksilver Aeronautics L-S2S · Geyserville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 17, 2025 · N14QK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the coolant cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to overheating and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA073.md): Cessna 150D · Temple City, CA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 6, 2025 · N5943T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s unfamiliarity with the fuel quantities the fuel measuring dip stick measured and inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR25LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA069.md): Sling Sling LSA · Carson, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 22, 2024 · N519CV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a prolonged slip against warnings specified in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA011.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Corcoran, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2024 · N243LA · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper manipulation of the condition lever during flight, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA310.md): Cessna 177B · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2024 · N177SX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach, which resulted in a collision with rocky terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA287.md): Pitts S1 · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 25, 2024 · N42JF · Destroyed
  > The total loss of engine power at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR24LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA261.md): Aeronca 11AC · Winchester, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2024 · N86270 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.
- [NTSB WPR24LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA193.md): Cessna A185F · Monument Hills, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N8WF · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR24LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA181.md): Cessna 172P · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2024 · N9567L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin, with insufficient altitude for recovery. The student pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack which resulted in a…
- [NTSB WPR24LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA154.md): Cessna 172G · Lakeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 16, 2024 · N4448L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of carburetor ice.
- [NTSB WPR24LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA114.md): Mooney M20K · Farmington, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N38RK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning that resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR24LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA067.md): Bell 206B · El Centro, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 24, 2023 · N111PM · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment between the flex plate and the forward driveshaft coupling.…
- [NTSB WPR24LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA023.md): Vans RV-12 · Novato, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2023 · N28BS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR23LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA361.md): Gleim James M MG-1 · Madera, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2023 · N126GM · Substantial damage
  > An emergency landing on uneven terrain that resulted in the loss of directional control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA239.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Alturas, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N6430P · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to the failure of the right magneto distributor gear and the pilot’s decision to conduct a test flight with known mechanical issues.
- [NTSB WPR23LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA181.md): Steven Radenbaugh JA35 Superstol · Moorpark, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N799CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight with a possible mechanical malfunction.
- [NTSB WPR23LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA156.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2023 · N8376W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during an extended ground delay before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB WPR23LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA118.md): Bell UH-1B · Orland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2023 · N234SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR23LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA098.md): Cessna T210N · Murrieta, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 27, 2023 · N4758C · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during the turn from base to final for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to not maintain traffic pattern altitude, which resulted in the off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA094.md): Piper PA28R · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2023 · N57355 · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the No. 2 piston connecting rod bearing due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR23FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA073.md): Cessna 150A · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 22, 2022 · N7032X · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the No. 1 piston connecting rod bearing journal due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA316.md): Cessna 150H · Vacaville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 24, 2022 · N22507 · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve.
- [NTSB WPR22LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA242.md): Cessna 120 · San Carlos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 28, 2022 · N2056V · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR22LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA219.md): Cessna TR182 · Davis, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2022 · N756EG · Destroyed
  > An in-flight fire during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR22LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA126.md): Cessna T210L · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2022 · N94001 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent collision with a fence during landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA115.md): Cessna 182D · Desert Camp, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2022 · N8814X · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA061.md): Moul Willis RV-3 · Bermuda Dunes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2021 · N9YY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR22LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA007.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · San Juan Baptista, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2021 · N87R · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA005.md): Beech B36TC · Los Banos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2021 · N7220B · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the No. 4 connecting rod bolt nut during a recent overhaul.
- [NTSB WPR21LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA342.md): Beech 58 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2021 · N162DF · Substantial damage
  > The fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR21LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA326.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Del Mar, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 24, 2021 · N2843T · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a forced landing on an interstate highway and subsequent collision with vehicles.
- [NTSB WPR21LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA271.md): Vans RV6 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 15, 2021 · N468AC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR21FA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA228.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Truckee, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N89423 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA194.md): Cessna 210 · Lake Arrowhead, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2021 · N7350E · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a malfunction of the fuel flow manifold valve.
- [NTSB WPR20CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA273.md): Schweizer SGS233 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2020 · N7547 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR20LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA225.md): Vans RV 8 · Grimes, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2020 · N508CM · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined.
- [NTSB WPR20LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA133.md): Cessna 177 · Lodi, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 29, 2020 · N3386T · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the no. 4 cylinder connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR20LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA126.md): Cessna 152 · Corona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2020 · N6306P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR20LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA101.md): Cessna 210 · Needles, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N123CE · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons due to a lack of available evidence.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?state=CA&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" = 'CA' 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" = '440' 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/440/sequence?state=CA

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