# NTSB investigations: Climb capability

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 4 · 184 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA266.md): Maule M-4-180V · Creede, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N489LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s performance capabilities in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR26LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA234.md): Piper PA-12 · Dixie, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2026 · N3013M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain.
- [NTSB ANC26LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA031.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Lapeer, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 23, 2026 · N44690 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a takeoff attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, runway excursion, and on ground collision with an object. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to…
- [NTSB CEN26LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA169.md): Luscombe 8E · Meeker, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2026 · N1398K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain climb performance and clearance from terrain due to the airplane’s encounter with windshear during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR26LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA087.md): Kitfox Series 7 · Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2026 · N775DZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from terrain during a go-around.
- [NTSB WPR26LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA048.md): Aviat A1 · Evanston, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2025 · N96WJ · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with downdrafts in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight through mountainous terrain in marginal weather conditions.
- [NTSB ANC25LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA085.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2025 · N232KT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA271.md): PZL Swidnik PW-5 · Kerrick, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2025 · N4426Z · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA231.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Lockport, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2025 · N8834H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate planning for the high density altitude conditions which resulted in reduced airplane performance, climb capability, and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA315.md): Cessna 172P · Kooskia, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2024 · N54829 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to descend into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA095.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2024 · N808PT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately compensate for shifting wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA307.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Basin, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2024 · N233WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue performing a high-performance takeoff in a full throttle and low-rotor-rpm condition, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA226.md): Champion 7GCBC · Eatonville, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2024 · N3464D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR24LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA207.md): Piper J3C-65 · Scheelite, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 19, 2024 · N3627N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent entry to a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA230.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Hope Mills, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N33563 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine performance due to carbon fouling of three spark plugs that, when combined with the airplane’s high gross weight condition, resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA127.md): Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Heber, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 21, 2024 · N644CC · Substantial damage
  > Reduced takeoff performance for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC24LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA021.md): Cessna 172 · Huasna, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2024 · N8907B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA24LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Winokur, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N469GB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the unseating and subsequent failure of the No. 4 piston connection rod bushing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA093.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Garey, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 23, 2024 · N2618W · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the loosening of the B-nut, a loss of engine power at a low altitude, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA069.md): Aero Commander 100 · Texarkana, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2023 · N4104X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to attempt a go-around with full flaps extended, which resulted in decreased climb performance and led to a collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR24FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA014.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Williams, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2023 · N6192J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight airplane performance…
- [NTSB ANC23LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA077.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N95250 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; loss of airplane control; and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA074.md): Piper PA-18-150 · St. Mary's, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N109T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight characteristics resulting in a loss of airplane control during takeoff…
- [NTSB CEN23LA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA386.md): Silverlight AR-1 · Granbury, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2023 · N57AR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN23LA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA346.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Halstad, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2023 · N45453 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s attempt to rotate the airplane without sufficient airspeed which resulted in a lack of climb performance and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt the takeoff with a tailwind.
- [NTSB WPR23FA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA296.md): Cessna T206H · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N918KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB ANC23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA045.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N1132Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA263.md): Cessna 182G · Gunnison, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2023 · N3289S · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly into an area of unsuitable terrain which the airplane was unable to exit, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with 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 ANC23LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA009.md): Beech 77 · Lihue, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 15, 2022 · N991AB · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s exceedance of its critical angle of attack after encountering a downdraft during departure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA342.md): Cessna 152 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2022 · N48918 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with a microburst during initial climb that resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent collision with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN22LA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA412.md): Zenith 750 · Silex, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2022 · N1949H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA22LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA345.md): Luscombe 8A · Ephratah, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2022 · N1358K · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN22LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA336.md): Beech A36 · Ray, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2022 · N60ED · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s early rotation on takeoff, which resulted in insufficient airspeed and an inability to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees.
- [NTSB ERA22LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA312.md): Flightstar Flightstar II SC · Russell, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2022 · N6116U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to climb over trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR22FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA164.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2022 · N321PF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.
- [NTSB WPR22LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA090.md): Textron TTX Inc. T240 · Ravendale, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 28, 2022 · N420WT · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance and inspection of the engine induction system, which resulted in the separation of the right induction tube from the turbocharger compressor outlet and the subsequent loss of engine power during departure.
- [NTSB WPR21FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA330.md): Cessna TU206F · Bernard, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2021 · N922MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the flight into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees an terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA293.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Porter, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2021 · N4216J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff with degraded engine performance, which resulted in an inability to climb and a subsequent forced landing. The reason for the engine’s degraded performance could not be determined based on available information.
- [NTSB ERA21LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA236.md): Maxson Phil Zodiac CH601XL · Winder, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2021 · N601MX · Substantial damage
  > Pilot’s inadequate supervision of the pilot rated passenger’s actions, which led to a high descent rate and collision with obstacles.
- [NTSB ERA20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA272.md): Piper PA 30 · Alabaster, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2020 · N7750Y · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control and lack of climb performance shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, resulting in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA307.md): Vans Vans RV 6 · Imperial, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2020 · N327WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his decision not to utilize all available runway during high density altitude operations which led to an inflight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA205.md): Beech 23 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2020 · N8868M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain a climb after an attempted takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a forced landing on a road and subsequent landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB CEN20LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA203.md): Magni Magni M 16 · Cape Girardeau, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N316MG · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to take off with inadequate runway remaining, and his subsequent failure to attain proper airspeed, which resulted in the gyroplane’s descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA174.md): Cessna T240 · Gonazales, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2020 · N25HE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to retract the speedbrakes during a delayed go-around attempt, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR20LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA017.md): Cessna 205 · Red Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2019 · N8326Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly configure the flaps for an aborted landing, which resulted in degraded climb performance and impact with vegetation at the end of the runway.
- [NTSB CEN19LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA297.md): Piper J3C · Independence Charter Township, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2019 · N98278 · Substantial damage
  > The reduction in climb performance for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the loss of performance.
- [NTSB WPR19LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA223.md): Beech 35 · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2019 · N5410D · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inability to maintain altitude during the initial climb due to a degradation in the airplane’s performance as a result of high-density altitude conditions at the time of takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate…
- [NTSB CEN19LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA173.md): Just Highlander · Quinlan, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2019 · N324SB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to depart with minimal runway available and his improper soft-field takeoff procedure, which resulted in impact with trees due to a slow airspeed and settling effect during climb out.
- [NTSB GAA18CA575](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA575.md): Piper PA28 · Spokane, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 29, 2018 · N40825 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to climb and its subsequent collision with trees.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01061010'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases

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