NTSB investigations

152 cases where NTSB found Maximum weight.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 152 cases
20089
20096
201010
201112
201210
201311
201410
201512
201612
201711
201811
201910
20206
20213
20227
20236
20243
20253

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\", '01061035'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB WPR25LA308Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportThomas Graham Teenie Two · Chehalis, WAThe pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight, which degraded its climb performance and led to a subsequent off airport landing.Sep 11, 2025 · N311TS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA231Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Lockport, LAThe pilot’s inadequate planning for the high density altitude conditions which resulted in reduced airplane performance, climb capability, and subsequent forced landing.Jul 1, 2025 · N8834H · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportTextron 208B · Nome, AKThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s inadequate airspeed management due to workload and degraded situation awareness and his improper inputs leading up to and during the aerodynamic…Feb 6, 2025 · N321BA · DestroyedNTSB CEN25LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and poor preflight inspection and decision-making, which led to a takeoff attempt above the airplane’s certified maximum takeoff weight with snow-contaminated wings, resulting in a rejected takeoff at an airspeed…Dec 27, 2024 · N753MB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, ORThe pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA194Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLanni Charles T Skyranger II · Breaux Bridge, LAThe pilot’s decision to depart with the airplane over maximum gross weight, which reduced the climb performance and resulted in a collision with a tree.May 11, 2024 · N122LF · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · McCook, NEThe pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum…Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23FA074Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · St. Mary's, AKThe 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…Sep 13, 2023 · N109T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IAThe pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb.Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA280Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · DestroyedNTSB CEN23LA202Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Wright, LAThe pilot's decision to takeoff with the airplane overloaded which resulted in the airplane settling and subsequently impacting terrain.May 25, 2023 · N6699Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA161Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff above the airplane’s maximum gross weight, a CG forward of the limit, and a tailwind component that prevented the airplane from climbing above trees.Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA020Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 100 · New Smyrna Beach, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff and corresponding stall/mush. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s operation of the airplane above the maximum specified gross weight.Oct 13, 2022 · N3885X · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA422Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of…Sep 17, 2022 · N709RD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA387Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSea & Sky Krucker Cygnet · Emily, MNThe pilot’s operation of the weight-shift control aircraft over its design gross weight and his decision to take off with the engine operating at less than the specified takeoff rpm, which resulted in degraded takeoff and climb performance. Contributing to…Aug 28, 2022 · N505DB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A-1A · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the critical angle of attack, subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane…Aug 15, 2022 · N26HV · Substantial damageNTSB ANC22FA066Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Arctic Village, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart in turbulent and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.Aug 11, 2022 · N3937M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA262Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Cresson, TXThe pilot's failure to complete proper preflight performance planning and his operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer's specified weight and balance limitations, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain altitude and an impact with…Jun 21, 2022 · N7361K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA287Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Newport, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstructed terrain during takeoff.Jun 20, 2022 · N42022 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21FA377Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Lansing, WVThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid trees and terrain after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane outside of…Sep 26, 2021 · N3342L · Substantial damageNTSB ANC21LA071Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Tyonek, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and adequate airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane above its maximum allowable gross weight.Aug 15, 2021 · N4226H · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA292Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KYThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA301Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLake LA4 · Rawlins, WYThe pilot’s decision to depart despite a known mechanical trim malfunction and with a high-density altitude and the airplane at or above its maximum gross weight.Aug 25, 2020 · N93AB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to take off in an airplane over maximum gross weight and with a tailwind, which prevented the airplane from climbing.Jul 25, 2020 · N716RL · DestroyedNTSB ERA20LA207Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Wurtsboro, NYA loss of control after takeoff due to the pilot’s improper use of ballast weight. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.Jun 5, 2020 · N850RW · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Pineville, LAThe airplane’s inability to gain sufficient airspeed after takeoff due to it being at or over its maximum gross weight, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at or over its maximum…May 31, 2020 · N6461J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FA072Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36TC · Corona, CAThe pilots’ failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a fence at the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the airplane being at or over the maximum gross takeoff weight and the inappropriate elevator trim tab setting.Jan 22, 2020 · N36TT · DestroyedNTSB ANC20LA015Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 200 · Unalaska, AKThe pilot’s improper decision to takeoff downwind and to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center of gravity limits, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the inadequacy of the…Jan 16, 2020 · N547LM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28R · Onaga, KSThe 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.Dec 31, 2019 · N3849T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20TA031Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBeech 36 · Spring Branch, TXThe 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…Dec 6, 2019 · N408P · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20FA022Accident · 9 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC12 · Chamberlain, SDThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent, low-altitude aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in reduced static longitudinal stability and his…Nov 30, 2019 · N56KJ · DestroyedNTSB CEN20FA001Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Lansing, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during final approach, which resulted in a loss of control and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude, and his decision to operate the airplane outside of the approved weight and balance envelope.Oct 3, 2019 · N700AQ · Substantial damageNTSB ANC19LA054Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Beluga, AKThe pilot’s decision to perform a takeoff with an overweight float-equipped airplane, which resulted in diminished climb performance.Sep 23, 2019 · N7071B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA252Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C24 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s operation of the airplane over its maximum gross weight and outside of center of gravity limits at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering and subsequent aerodynamic…Sep 8, 2019 · N24030 · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA456Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA46 · Sparta, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a sign and terrain. Contributing to the need to abort the takeoff was the pilot's improper decision to take off with the…Jul 27, 2019 · N12KW · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19LA242Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIcon A5 · Lake, MIThe pilot's improper decision to operate the airplane in exceedance of the airplane manufacturer’s operating limitations, which led to an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue attempting the takeoff…Jul 27, 2019 · N663BA · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA339Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · San Benito, TXThe pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane near its maximum allowable gross takeoff weight and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jun 13, 2019 · N103CK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA124Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Kerrville, TXThe pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow the one-engine inoperative checklist and maintain the airplane's minimum…Apr 22, 2019 · N501CE · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA060Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 36 · Williams, AZThe pilot's failure to attain a sufficient climb rate during initial climb in high-density altitude conditions with the airplane near its forward center of gravity and maximum gross weight limits, which resulted in an impact with trees.Nov 14, 2018 · N264PC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA383Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Santa Teresa, NMThe pilot's decision to attempt to take off in an overweight airplane in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb, an aborted takeoff, and a subsequent runway excursion.Aug 31, 2018 · N747DA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA238Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2 32 · Morrisville, VTThe pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the glider outside of its published weight…Aug 29, 2018 · N17970 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA205Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177 · San Diego/El Cajon, CAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, which lead to the airplane's poor climb performance, and a subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.Jul 28, 2018 · N3477T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA299Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Columbia, ILThe airplane's inability to climb due to reduced engine power as a result of insufficient compression in all cylinders and fouled spark plugs in the No. 2 cylinder while operating near its maximum gross weight.Jul 28, 2018 · N624FL · Substantial damageNTSB ANC18FA055Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Willow, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during departure climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center…Jul 19, 2018 · N9878R · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA276Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Batavia, OHThe pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight due to his failure to perform preflight weight and balance calculations, which affected the airplane’s takeoff performance, and his subsequent decision to abort the takeoff with…May 8, 2018 · N377ES · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA119Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power…Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA077Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CAThe pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations before departing on the flight, which resulted in his operation of the helicopter outside of its published weight and balance limitations and a subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · DestroyedNTSB WPR18LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Skyforest, CAThe pilot’s failure to establish the proper airspeed after departure and to maintain adequate clearance from a ridgeline in high-density and downdraft conditions and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an…Jan 17, 2018 · N5562Q · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA061Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Bartow, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation during takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 24, 2017 · N247AT · Destroyed