# NTSB investigations: Loss of lift

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 3 of 4 · 175 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC14CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA079.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Susitna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2014 · N959E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA426.md): Schleicher ASW 19B · Avoca, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2014 · N31GF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a return to his departure airport which resulted in the glider's encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA317.md): Air Tractor AT 802A · Hazelton, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 28, 2014 · N802TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff roll in variable wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN14LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA349.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Carthage, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2014 · N9185G · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inability to climb out of ground effect, which resulted from the pilot using a lower power setting than needed for takeoff due to the mechanic’s installation of the wrong engine torque gauge.
- [NTSB WPR14FA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA282.md): Piper PA 28R-180 · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2014 · N3723T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when the landing gear unintentionally extended while maneuvering at low altitude and airspeed, which increased the airplane’s drag and decreased its ability to climb over the rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR14LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA220.md): Aero Commander Callair A 9B · Gardiner, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 2014 · N7292V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his subsequent takeoff with the airplane over its allowable gross weight in high density altitude conditions, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and led to a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA14CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA220.md): Schleicher ASW 20 · Monroe, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2014 · N777LR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper selection of an off-airport landing site and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during an off airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA14LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA164.md): Farace Thomas Scott Kitfox II · Vicksburg, MS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 2014 · N438TT · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s low-level encounter with a downdraft that maximum engine power could not overcome.
- [NTSB WPR14CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA138.md): DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Wrightwood, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2014 · N624RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to maneuver the glider where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA14CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA126.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2B · Burnsville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 18, 2014 · N411SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of the spoilers, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent impact with trees.
- [NTSB ERA13CA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA420.md): Rolladen-Schneider LS 6 · Sussex, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2013 · N650DP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper selection of an off-airport landing site, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during a crosswind landing in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA13CA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA415.md): Hawker Beechcraft G36 · Edgartown, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 8, 2013 · N771WG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to achieve a proper takeoff profile prior to raising the landing gear resulting in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13CA573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA573.md): Schweizer SGS 2 33A · Hampshire, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 2, 2013 · N2668H · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate compensation for landing area conditions during an off-airport landing which resulted in a collision with an obstruction.
- [NTSB WPR13CA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA395.md): Beech C-50 · Homedale, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 1, 2013 · N212G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed action to arrest a loss of altitude on short final, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with a fence post.
- [NTSB ERA13LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA339.md): Cessna 172M · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2013 · N61929 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s loss of lift shortly after picking up a banner for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR13CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA333.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Hood River, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2013 · N2052T · Substantial damage
  > The glider encountered atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off airport landing on rough terrain.
- [NTSB WPR13CA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA325.md): Boeing E75 · Bozeman, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 14, 2013 · N5176N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn, which resulted in a loss of lift and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA13CA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA316.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Blairstown, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2013 · N1441T · Substantial damage
  > The flight's encounter with a downdraft from a ridge shortly after takeoff resulting in a loss of lift and collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB WPR13LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fielding, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2013 · N7187B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while traversing a canyon in high-density altitude and gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN13LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA371.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Campbell, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2013 · N6017E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue with the takeoff roll despite the airplane's difficulty becoming airborne The high-density altitude likely contributed to the airplane's reduced performance.
- [NTSB ERA13LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA264.md): Globe GC-1B · Williamson, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2013 · N3715K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind at high density altitude, close to gross takeoff weight, on a short turf runway with trees at the departure end.
- [NTSB ERA13CA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA272.md): Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1 · Henderson, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 12, 2013 · N81799 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of aerodynamic lift that resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA273.md): Phillips Zenith 250 · Taos, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 2013 · N250ZP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off in gusting wind conditions and the airplane’s loss of climb performance following an encounter with turbulence and downdrafts.
- [NTSB WPR13LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA217.md): Robinson R44 II · Pomeroy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2013 · N442RN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that the helicopter was properly loaded, which resulted in the helicopter being in excess of its maximum allowable gross weight and led to a loss of main rotor rpm on takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the ground…
- [NTSB WPR13LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA209.md): Cessna 172N · Henderson, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2013 · N3483E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, including operating in excess of the maximum certified gross weight and center of gravity limits at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain a positive rate of climb after…
- [NTSB WPR13CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA218.md): Schleicher ASW-27 · Middletown, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2013 · N503CW · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a forced landing on rough terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA199.md): Ryan Navion · Broomfield, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2013 · N4276K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision to take off at a high density altitude and in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC13CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA028.md): Cessna 185B · Flat, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2013 · N2550Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR13CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA068.md): Robinson R22 · Logan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 15, 2012 · N393LE · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the wet landing surface.
- [NTSB CEN13CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA079.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Boulder, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2012 · N9929J · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot's inability to locate an area of thermal lift.
- [NTSB WPR13FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA061.md): Piper PA28 · Aurora, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2012 · N8314E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain while maneuvering in a remote mountainous region. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the remote mountainous area in high-density altitude conditions with the…
- [NTSB WPR13CA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA019.md): Quicksilver Mfg MXL II Sport · Live Oak, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 20, 2012 · N187AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to compensate for turbulent conditions, which resulted in a loss of altitude.
- [NTSB WPR13LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA007.md): Schleicher ASH25M · Kamuela, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 2012 · N513WK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider after it encountered atmospheric conditions while maneuvering where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain during the subsequent approach to land.
- [NTSB WPR12LA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA426.md): Bell 206 - B · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2012 · N222GR · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm while maneuvering in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a precautionary landing and subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB CEN12LA578](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA578.md): Destiny XLT · Hart, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2012 · N1674A · Substantial damage
  > The partial deflation of the powered parachute canopy when the pilot flew the aircraft into an area with gusty wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were the modifications that changed the flying characteristics of the parachute.
- [NTSB WPR12CA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA351.md): Robinson R22 · Monticello, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 11, 2012 · N7135J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling and subsequently colliding with the ground. Contributing to the accident was that the pilot had insufficient altitude to…
- [NTSB ERA12CA462](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA462.md): Infinity Infinity 2003 · Wilmore, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2012 · N5627G · Substantial damage
  > A loss of lift on initial climb for unreported reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground.
- [NTSB WPR12CA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA304.md): Schempp Hirth Nimbus II · Redmond, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2012 · N96132 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of aerodynamic lift that resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB WPR12LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA283.md): Stinson 108 · Stanley, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2012 · N773C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to takeoff at a density altitude outside of the airplane’s takeoff performance envelope, with a tailwind, and near the airplane’s maximum gross weight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb…
- [NTSB WPR12CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA278.md): Schweizer SGS 1-36 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2012 · N3617U · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR12CA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA288.md): Dg-Flugzeugbau DG-500MB · Richland, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2012 · N505JL · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the spoilers to retract because the right wing spoiler’s lower plate became jammed, which resulted in the glider not having enough lift to make it to the runway surface.
- [NTSB WPR12FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA274.md): Cessna 172 · Veneta, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2012 · N5781A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude to clear trees during the initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN12LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2012 · N744JS · Substantial damage
  > The sudden decrease in headwind during takeoff in a gusty wind and near a passing train, which resulted in a loss of lift and main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter near its maximum performance…
- [NTSB CEN12LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA331.md): Baldwin Skybolt · Stuttgart, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 30, 2012 · N24EB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane’s overweight takeoff from an airstrip with a high density altitude and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR12CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA157.md): Fisher HP-14 Sailplane · Nampa, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2012 · N990 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incorrect positioning of the wing flaps during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of lift and hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA12TA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12TA251.md): Bell 407 · Delray Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Mar 23, 2012 · N31PB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper response to a simulated engine failure and the instructor’s delayed and improper remedial action.
- [NTSB CEN12CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA131.md): Infinity Power Parachutes Classic 2002 · Alanson, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 11, 2012 · N3902V · Substantial damage
  > The powered parachute’s encounter with a downdraft/windshear during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of lift.
- [NTSB WPR12CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA072.md): Schweizer SGS 1-26B · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 28, 2011 · N8641R · Substantial damage
  > The glider's encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight.
- [NTSB WPR11CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA411.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 28, 2011 · N5840V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate altitude to clear a ridgeline while maneuvering over a mountainous area.
- [NTSB WPR11CA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA342.md): Schleicher ASW-27 · Preston, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2011 · N78AB · Substantial damage
  > The glider's impact with crops during the off-airport landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/cases.md?page=4

## 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."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '500')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/cases?page=3

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