# NTSB investigations: Takeoff distance

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 · 67 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC25LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA120.md): Piper PA-18-150 · St Mary's, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2025 · N3797Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind, from a short off-airport strip, which degraded the climb performance of the airplane and led to impact with trees at the end of the strip.
- [NTSB ANC25LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA095.md): Helio H-395 · Pilot Point, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2025 · N44344 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate takeoff performance planning, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
- [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 ANC23LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA073.md): Cessna A185F · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N124UA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed go-around decision with insufficient runway remaining.
- [NTSB WPR23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA334.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2023 · N6834W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command’s inadequate preflight planning for the high density altitude and relative humidity conditions and his failure to recognize the need to reject the takeoff, allowing the student pilot to execute an abnormally long takeoff roll and apply…
- [NTSB WPR23LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA329.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Kanab, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2023 · N33094 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA282.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Elko, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N4149J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate airplane performance before taking off from a significantly shorter runway than originally planned for.
- [NTSB CEN23LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA309.md): Piper J3C-65 · Princeton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2023 · N41317 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to attempt a takeoff from an unimproved field which resulted in an impact with an obstacle.
- [NTSB WPR23LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA266.md): Piper PA-12 · Judith Gap, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N4135M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off on a soft field that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with a pole and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA229.md): Cessna 172 · South Bethlehem, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 11, 2023 · N1596E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff in a tailwind when the full runway in the opposite, headwind direction was available.
- [NTSB CEN22LA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA394.md): Piper PA28 · Liberty, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 24, 2022 · N1815J · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s improper decision to take off without adequate airspeed which resulted in degraded performance and a collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN22LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA287.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Newport, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2022 · N42022 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstructed terrain during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN22LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA130.md): Raytheon Hawker 800XP · Aspen, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 21, 2022 · N99AP · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s decision to takeoff in tailwind conditions that were consistently above the airplane’s tailwind limitation, which resulted in a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff. Contributing was the flight crew’s use of the instantaneous wind…
- [NTSB ERA21LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA271.md): Cessna 150 · Bentleyville, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 28, 2021 · N22307 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor and student pilot’s inadequate preflight performance planning which resulted in a takeoff attempt with insufficient available runway, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.
- [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 ERA21FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA194.md): Beech C23 · Middleburg, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 28, 2021 · N6009U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to depart from a soft grass runway with a tailwind, which resulted in an increased takeoff distance and subsequent impact with trees during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA21FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA148.md): Beech C23 · Purcellville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 4, 2021 · N67013 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to depart from the short turf runway with a tailwind.
- [NTSB WPR21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA110.md): Dassault FALCON900EX · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2021 · N823RC · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer’s specified weight and balance limitations and with an improper trim setting, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate during the attempted takeoff. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN21LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA029.md): Cessna 172 · Geuda Springs, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N5910A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s takeoff performance from an off-airport field which resulted in an aborted takeoff and impact with a fence and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the delayed aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR20LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA289.md): Beech A36 · Redding, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2020 · N1550G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize the airplane’s inadequate takeoff performance given the length of the available runway and to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN20LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA321.md): Piper PA28R · Seiling, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2020 · N9765C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incorrect takeoff performance calculations and delayed aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN20TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20TA088.md): Cessna 170 · Valley Center, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Feb 16, 2020 · N170RH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane passed the point where he had anticipated the liftoff would occur.
- [NTSB CEN20CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA052.md): Piper PA28R · Onaga, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 31, 2019 · N3849T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane at a high gross weight from a short, turf runway, which degraded its climb performance and led to a delayed aborted takeoff, a runway excursion, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20TA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20TA031.md): Beech 36 · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Dec 6, 2019 · N408P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer's specified weight and balance limitations, which resulted in a failure of the airplane to become airborne, an aborted takeoff, and subsequent…
- [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 GAA19CA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA281.md): Cessna 340 · Carvers, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 3, 2019 · N5418M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to accurately assess the available runway for the takeoff, which resulted in impact with a gravel berm.
- [NTSB WPR18LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA275.md): Piper PA-32RT · Malad, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2018 · N24BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to identify that he was not utilizing the full runway for takeoff, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB GAA18CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA078.md): Cessna 172 · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2017 · N4801D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing with too little runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB GAA17CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA232.md): Cessna 172 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 11, 2017 · N92873 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN17LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA029.md): Beech 100 · Jeffersonville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2016 · N411HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, his decision to take off knowing the airplane was over its gross takeoff weight, and his failure to abort the takeoff after he realized that the airplane was not accelerating as expected, which resulted in a runway…
- [NTSB ANC16LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA071.md): Helio H-295 · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2016 · N68857 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off from a wet, snowy airstrip and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA477](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA477.md): Pacific Aerospace 750XL · Warrenton, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2016 · N750SS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to set the wing flaps for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, an aborted takeoff, and a runway overrun.
- [NTSB ERA16FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA257.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Esperance, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2016 · N2241Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance and performance planning, which resulted in the airplane being over gross weight. Also causal were the pilot's decision not to use the entire runway for takeoff, his premature liftoff, and his failure to…
- [NTSB ERA16CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA218.md): Piper PA32 · Block Island, RI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2016 · N44255 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the airplane’s subsequent collision with obstacles during an attempted go-around.
- [NTSB GAA16CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA185.md): Piper PA 22-160 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2016 · N8842D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a runway over-run and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN15LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA405.md): Piper PA-36-375 · Elmwood, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2015 · N1057E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane near its maximum gross weight from a runway that did not have sufficient length for the airplane to achieve a normal takeoff and positive climb rate after liftoff.
- [NTSB CEN15LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA335.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Virden, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2015 · N502LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed during takeoff with the airplane near its maximum gross weight and with a quartering tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN15LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA276.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Branch, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2015 · N5035R · Substantial damage
  > An exceedance of the airplane's takeoff/climb capability, which resulted in a stall during initial climb at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
- [NTSB CEN13LA581](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA581.md): Cessna 172 · Rio Vista, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2013 · N8878B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after an excessive takeoff run from a grass airstrip, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and loss of…
- [NTSB ERA13LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA380.md): Piper PA46R-350T · Cat Cay, Bahamas · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2013 · N720JF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s attempt to rotate the airplane before obtaining sufficient airspeed and his improper pitch control during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and subsequently experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low…
- [NTSB CEN13CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA042.md): Luscombe 8E · West Bend, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 3, 2012 · N2368K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot‘s failure to maintain clearance from power lines at the end of the short runway, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent nose-over of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA13CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA027.md): Cessna 182P · Maryville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 16, 2012 · N1264S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and his subsequent delayed decision to perform a go-around, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to clear obstacles.
- [NTSB CEN12LA678](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA678.md): Infinity 2003 · Merrill, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2012 · N70319 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from midfield, resulting in a collision with trees at the departure end of the field.
- [NTSB ERA12LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA314.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lake Wales, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2012 · N746RA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to depart from an intersection with insufficient runway remaining for takeoff, which resulted in a rejected takeoff and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA12LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA250.md): Piper PA46 · Wellington, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2012 · N21EP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN12CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA264.md): Air Tractor AT-301A · Cheyenne Wells, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2012 · N7306C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC11CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA106.md): Piper PA-12 · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 23, 2011 · N78564 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off uphill into rising terrain.
- [NTSB ANC11CA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA105.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Bethel, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 17, 2011 · N82907 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC11CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA102.md): Cessna 180 · Ambler, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2011 · N9019C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ANC11CA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA083.md): Cessna 180A · Igiugig, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 20, 2011 · N26CZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off in a variable wind, resulting in a shallow climb and collision with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/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", '01061025'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases

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