# NTSB investigations, CA: Collision during takeoff/land

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 · 100 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR27LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27LA009.md): Cessna 172N · Knights Landing, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Investigation open · Oct 1, 2026 · N75513
- [NTSB WPR26LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA349.md): Cameron Balloons US A-400 · Angwin, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Sep 19, 2026 · N65573 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR26LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA246.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2026 · N5790S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath, which resulted in a long landing and collision with a person on the ground.
- [NTSB WPR26LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA182.md): American AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2026 · N5832L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land at night on a runway without illuminated runway lights. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to review NOTAMs for a nightly airport closure.
- [NTSB WPR26LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA170.md): Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z · Elk Grove, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2026 · N355WC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to deflate the balloon during a static display in windy conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a building. Contributing to the accident was the proximity of the balloon from structures during a static…
- [NTSB WPR25LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA219.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Hollister, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2025 · N551SG · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The departing pilot’s failure to see and avoid the landing airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a mid-air collision.
- [NTSB WPR25FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA145.md): Champion 7ECA · Cottonwood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2025 · N6310N · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s delayed response to an improper landing approach and runway overshoot, which resulted in an impact with an airport perimeter fence and trees.
- [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 WPR24LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA293.md): Cessna 152 · Amboy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2024 · N66948 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a street sign during takeoff from a road.
- [NTSB WPR24FA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA290.md): Aero Commander 200D · Novato, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 31, 2024 · N2912T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort takeoff or compensate for gusty crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR24LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA244.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Lakeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 12, 2024 · N4443X · Substantial damage
  > A collision with a deer during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR24LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA214.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Pleasant Grove, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2024 · N6793K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed recognition of the extent of the airplane’s increased takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience operating the airplane at a high gross weight.
- [NTSB WPR24LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA186.md): Grumman/Schweizer G-164D · Richvale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N6736K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA038.md): Schweizer G-164B · Richvale, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2024 · N3629Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.
- [NTSB WPR24LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA151.md): Grumman G164 · Maxwell, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2024 · N6612Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to ascertain a proper touchdown point and late decision to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a subsequent collision with vegetation.
- [NTSB WPR24FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA018.md): Beech A36 · Covelo, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2023 · N8248K · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after entering a steep banked turn for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off toward rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA217.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2023 · N6174W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper use of flaps during the takeoff sequence which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Colusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2023 · N6750K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR23LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA165.md): Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI Express · Tracy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 24, 2023 · N92734 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB WPR23LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA088.md): Cessna 180K · Agua Caliente Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2023 · N2875K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted approach, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA082.md): Cessna 172 · Watsonville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 1, 2023 · N7181A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.
- [NTSB WPR23LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA068.md): Eurocopter EC120B · Rancho Cordova, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2022 · N255SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s loss of helicopter control during landing with a crosswind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR23LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA045.md): Sikorsky UH-60A · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2022 · N160AQ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the crewmembers of the second helicopter to maintain visual separation with the first helicopter while complying with the LC controller’s instruction to go around. Contributing to the accident were the nighttime conditions and the lack of a…
- [NTSB WPR22LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA320.md): Cessna 152 · Ione, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 26, 2022 · N49430 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in impact with a fence and a tree. Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s decision to land at the unfamiliar airstrip without determining whether it was within the…
- [NTSB WPR22LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA259.md): Socata TB21 · San Marcos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2022 · N718TB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the mechanical fuel pump due to internal friction for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA153.md): Stoddard Hamilton Glasair Super II · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2022 · N90YY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on final approach, which resulted in a collision with a runway approach light.
- [NTSB WPR22LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA097.md): Mooney M20J · Paradise, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2022 · N201VJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA006.md): Bevilacqua Jeffrey L Dragonfly Mkiih · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N186JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff
- [NTSB WPR21LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA348.md): Cessna 172N · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2021 · N4977G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to an electrical issue.
- [NTSB WPR21LA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA343.md): Piper PA-24-400 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2021 · N8501P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and maintain a proper glidepath on approach which, resulted in a collision with the airport perimeter fence.
- [NTSB WPR21LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA312.md): Lake LA-4 · Lake Isabell, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2021 · N7615L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to establish a positive climb rate after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with an object.
- [NTSB WPR21FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA272.md): Mooney M20J · Dinsmore, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2021 · N4474H · Destroyed
  > The airplane’s degraded engine performance due to wear to the intake cam lobes, which diminished the airplane’s takeoff and climb performance, resulting in a subsequent collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR21LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA248.md): Dewsnup Dave Zenair CH 701 SP · Chester, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2021 · N41XY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly position of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA245.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 22, 2021 · N15381 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate flare and subsequent loss of airplane control during an aborted landing in gusting wind, which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB WPR21FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA232.md): Kitfox Series 6 · Likely, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N617Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA221.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2010 · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2021 · N2010P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare during a landing attempt in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR21LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA121.md): Cessna 150J · Lodi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 3, 2021 · N60290 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a fatigue crack in the No. 3 cylinder connecting rod shaft resulting from either preignition or detonation, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA044.md): Piper PA38 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2020 · N6380A · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA013.md): Ralph C Kimball Sea Rey · Parker Dam, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2020 · N32RK · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent encounter with water wake during the takeoff sequence that degraded the airplane’s airspeed and resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during the initial climb.
- [NTSB WPR20CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA284.md): Bell 205 · LaVerne, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2020 · N386HQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a go-around while landing in an unimproved area which resulted in a collision with debris.
- [NTSB WPR20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA259.md): Rutan Vari EZE · Kelso Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2020 · N2ZE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR20CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA275.md): Cessna A185 · Susanville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 1, 2020 · N60934 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear.
- [NTSB WPR20CA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA159.md): Grumman G164 · Maxwell, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N9716 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the runway and collided with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight…
- [NTSB WPR20CA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA127.md): FLIGHTstar 2 · Oakdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to take off through a large helicopter’s rotor wash, which resulted in his inability to gain altitude during takeoff.
- [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.
- [NTSB WPR20CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA090.md): Beech 36 · Avalon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 10, 2020 · N6056Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper approach and delayed decision to apply corrective action, which resulted in a runway overrun, impact with a berm, and a subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA055.md): Cessna 175 · Elk, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 31, 2019 · N7095M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate during an aborted simulated engine-out approach, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent cartwheel.
- [NTSB WPR19LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA233.md): Cessna 120 · Livermore, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2019 · N4237N · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fouled spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent loss of control during the initial climb.
- [NTSB WPR19LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA222.md): Zenith 601XLB · Jamul, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 15, 2019 · N662WB · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to an undetermined loss of electrical power to the engine control system. Contributing factors were the lack of a redundant system to provide for engine control should the engine control system be deprived of electrical power or fail.
- [NTSB GAA19CA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA421.md): Willie Bennett Glastar · Lompoc, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N345BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a night landing, which resulted in impact with a tree.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/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" = '490' 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/490/sequence?state=CA

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.