# NTSB investigations, NC: 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 2 · 87 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA323.md): Mooney M-20 · Stanfield, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2026 · N3706N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing on uneven terrain.
- [NTSB ERA26LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA219.md): Rainbow Cheetah XLS · Knightdale, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · May 27, 2026 · N146RC · Substantial damage
  > On May 27, 2026, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a special light sport Rainbow Cheetah XLS airplane, N146RC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Knightdale, North Carolina. The flight instructor and student pilot were…
- [NTSB ERA26LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA138.md): Glasflugel Kestrel · Little Switzerland, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2026 · N9919 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of thermal lift during a glider flight, which resulted in a collision with trees during a landing approach to a diversionary airport.
- [NTSB ERA25LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA188.md): Cessna 172RG · Louisburg, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 23, 2025 · N6386V · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to identify and remediate water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA24LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA311.md): Champion 7ECA · Beaufort, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N9581S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA289.md): Cessna 172 · Lewiston Woodville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2024 · N46118 · Substantial damage
  > The obstruction of the engine’s cooling system by foreign object debris (residential-type insulation), which resulted in smoke, an elevated oil temperature, and a subsequent off-airport landing on unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA240.md): Aero Commander Callair A-9B · Zebulon, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N7650V · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA24LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA179.md): Cessna R172 · Rocky Mount, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2024 · N3FR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and mechanic’s failure to identify and completely eliminate the water and debris contamination present in the airplane’s fuel system before embarking on the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA24LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA151.md): Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H · Ellenboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 4, 2024 · N3505W · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system.
- [NTSB ERA24FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA078.md): Piper PA46R-350T · Mooresville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2023 · N539MA · Substantial damage
  > A missing induction clamp, which allowed the induction hose to the left side intercooler to become disconnected, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to an overly rich fuel/air mixture.
- [NTSB ERA23LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA310.md): Piper PA-28-140 · New London, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2023 · N98134 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the No. 4 cylinder’s stuck exhaust valve.
- [NTSB ERA23FA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA273.md): Mooney M20R · Southport, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N13LV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly a known unairworthy airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB ERA23FA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA238.md): Beech V35 · Rougemont, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 21, 2023 · N272S · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The source of the oil starvation could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA23LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA218.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Greenville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 5, 2023 · N180LR · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate maintenance by the operator and maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB ERA23LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA009.md): Swensen Fisher Celebrity · Greensboro, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2022 · N655WP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic’s failure to remove excess sealant from the header fuel tank after recent maintenance, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inflight decision making…
- [NTSB ERA22LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA258.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D1 · Pittsboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2022 · N44374 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot, and flight instructor’s, inadequate preflight inspection, during which they failed to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA22LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA169.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Smithfield, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2022 · N471BL · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to set the correct engine timing after the replacement of a cylinder head and exhaust camshaft before the accident flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA22LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA130.md): Piper PA32R · Washington, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2022 · N114BR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA21LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA368.md): Hughes 369 · Ash, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2021 · N420AT · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to corrosion and erosion damage to the engine’s compressor section components.
- [NTSB ERA21LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA297.md): Cessna 150 · Arden, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2021 · N3059X · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate inspection of the throttle control cable assembly, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight.
- [NTSB ERA21LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA188.md): Cessna A188 · Dover, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2021 · N731TB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a shift of a crankshaft main bearing, which resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent overheating and failure of the engine crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the hard touchdown during the forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA112.md): Cessna U206 · Denton, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 23, 2021 · C-GWAS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
- [NTSB ERA21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA075.md): Kolb Firestar · Durham, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2020 · N7094T · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a degraded fuel primer check valve.
- [NTSB ERA21LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA047.md): American Legend AL3 · Greenville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 16, 2020 · N30BX · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s collision with a bird during initial climb, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA042.md): Republic RC3 · Advance, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 16, 2020 · N451E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA20LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA127.md): Piper PA23 · Albemarle, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N335W · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to ensure that the electric fuel pumps were on before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of power on both engines during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA20LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA062.md): Piper PA32RT · Fletcher, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 28, 2019 · N27GB · Destroyed
  > A failure of two of the oil pump drive gear’s teeth, which resulted in a loss of engine oil lubrication, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA19LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA257.md): Cirrus SR22 · Burnsville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2019 · N404PE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s reliance on latent satellite weather imagery for tactical weather avoidance, which resulted in flight into thunderstorms and a loss of control. Also causal was an engine overspeed during the uncontrolled descent, which resulted in catastrophic…
- [NTSB GAA19CA439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA439.md): Cessna 172 · Manteo, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2019 · N78658 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA19LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA159.md): Zenair Zodiac CH601 · Angier, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2019 · N61PG · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to partial interruption of the fuel supply for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA19TA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA051.md): Cessna E162 · Franklin, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N70252 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in applying carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during descent due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB ERA18LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA202.md): Cessna 150 · Matthews, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2018 · N1193Y · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a solo flight without an endorsement to do so and to perform an off-airport landing based on a perceived performance issue with the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of training and…
- [NTSB ERA18TA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA059.md): Cessna 172 · Union Mills, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Dec 24, 2017 · N91SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA18LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA026.md): Piper PA28 · Bladenboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2017 · N8758N · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the presence of an insect nest in the carburetor heat control box that prevented the pilot’s application of carburetor heat from restoring engine power.
- [NTSB ERA17LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA215.md): Beech B23 · Ocean Isle Beach, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2017 · N4023T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector between the left and right fuel tank positions, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing into trees.
- [NTSB ERA17TA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17TA196.md): Ernest T Christley Zenith Zodiac 601XL · Sanford, NC · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 29, 2017 · N167EZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of a threaded metal rod of insufficient strength to connect the fuel tank selector handle to the fuel valve, which resulted in his inability to switch fuel tanks and a subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA17LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA045.md): Cessna 150 · Snow Hill, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2016 · N23473 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB ERA16LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA162.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008 · Burgaw, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2016 · N588TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to activate the airplane’s alternator, which resulted in an eventual loss of electrical power to the engine’s fuel pumps, fuel starvation, and a total loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s use of an incomplete checklist.
- [NTSB ERA16FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA108.md): Beech A36 · Marshville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2016 · N61WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was his failure to have a properly secured shoulder harness at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB GAA16CA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA099.md): Davis Michael J MD Special · Wallace, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 21, 2015 · N141MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA066.md): Raytheon A36 · Fayetteville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2015 · N3241N · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's application of an unapproved sealant to the engine case halves during engine overhaul, contrary to manufacturer's instructions, which resulted in lubrication restriction due to a bearing shift and the subsequent internal failure of the…
- [NTSB ERA16LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA041.md): Woodrow Larry W Sonex · Morganton, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2015 · N7035Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner’s inadequate maintenance inspection following a propeller strike, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight propeller separation due to propagation of fatigue cracks in the crankshaft.
- [NTSB ERA16LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA040.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Jefferson, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2015 · N334CM · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident test run of the engine.
- [NTSB ERA16CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA011.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Salisbury, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2015 · N300KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent switching of the fuel selector to the "off" position on final approach, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA15LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA092.md): Beech V35B · Long View, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2015 · N246JT · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the lower rear crankshaft counterweight snap rings by unknown maintenance personnel, which resulted in the separation of the counterweight and a subsequent total loss of engine power during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA15IA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15IA024.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lexington, NC · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2014 · N242MB · Minor damage
  > Maintenance personnel's improper tightening of the crankcase through bolt nuts during reassembly of the engine at the last overhaul, which resulted in the failure of the crankshaft and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA14LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA411.md): Cessna 150L · Creedmoor, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2014 · N1741Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion.
- [NTSB ERA14CA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA349.md): Pekola James W Ridge Runner III · Andrews, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2014 · N39ZT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to open the fuel tank valves during the preflight examination of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA14CA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA335.md): Alexander Schleicher K 7 · Mocksville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2014 · N9156 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to install an additional cushion to elevate his passenger and his failure to insure the cushion would not interfere with the control stick movement resulting in limited movement of the elevator in flight and collision with a fence during…
- [NTSB ERA14LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA338.md): Lawson Ronald S Explorer · East Bend, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2014 · N6663K · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power likely due to a failure of a rotary valve shaft seal and the pilot’s failure to detect and diagnose the impending failure during the preflight inspection.

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

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