# NTSB investigations, CA: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA300.md): Zaklad Szybowcowy Jezow PW-6U · Floriston, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Aug 7, 2026 · N17YC · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR25LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA005.md): Rotorsport Cavalon · Chico, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2024 · N726CA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA245.md): Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2023 · N26DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA225.md): Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 · Tahoe Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2022 · N536LS · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent water ditching.
- [NTSB WPR22LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA150.md): Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2022 · N212NM · Substantial damage
  > The gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.
- [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 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 GAA19CA504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA504.md): Cessna 182 · Oakland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2019 · N58628 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's premature full retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his subsequent improper decision to turn with a minimal climb gradient, which resulted in an off-airport landing and a landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB WPR17LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA136.md): Cessna 310R · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2017 · N87297 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain adequate airspeed after a loss of power to the right engine while maneuvering in the pattern to return to the airport. Contributing to the accident were the loss of power to the right engine for reasons that could not be…
- [NTSB GAA17CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA368.md): Schempp-Hirth Discus 2B · Bishop, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2017 · N21TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering over rising mountainous terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR17LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA043.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt. Baldy, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2016 · N324RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed during a low orbiting approach over a confined mountainous area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to land in an area that did not allow for a safe exit path under conditions near…
- [NTSB GAA16CA489](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA489.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G109 · Emigrant Gap, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2016 · N909G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inappropriate decision to continue the flight into higher elevation under high-density altitude conditions, which degraded the glider's climb performance and resulted in impact with trees short of the intended runway.
- [NTSB GAA16CA465](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA465.md): Cessna TR182 · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2016 · N738GK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove the carburetor heat during the attempted go-around in high…
- [NTSB WPR16LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA096.md): DG Flugzeugbau DG 800B · Clements, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2016 · N800YG · Substantial damage
  > The motorglider pilot's decision to perform an in-flight engine start with insufficient altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing and collision with trees after the engine did not start. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction by the…
- [NTSB GAA15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA028.md): Let L23 - NO Series · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N381BA · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent deployment of the air brakes during initial climb, resulting in a loss of lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify and remediate the cause.
- [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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR12LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA104.md): Beech G18 · Hollister, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2012 · VH-NWB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent hard landing, loss of directional control, and ground loop.
- [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 WPR11FA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA415.md): Cessna 172M · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2011 · N5155Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s misjudged approach and landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was a lack of airspeed due to a blocked pitot tube.
- [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 WPR10CA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA389.md): Let L 33 Solo · Adelanto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 6, 2010 · N315BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to make it to the airport as a result of his inadequate planning for the gusting headwinds.
- [NTSB WPR09CA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA344.md): Schweizer SGS 1-26A · Lake Riverside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 14, 2009 · N2701Z · Substantial damage
  > A loss of lift which necessitated a forced landing in a field.

## 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" = '500' 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/500/sequence?state=CA

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