# NTSB investigations: Maximum weight

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 · 152 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA308.md): Thomas Graham Teenie Two · Chehalis, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2025 · N311TS · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [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 ANC25MA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25MA018.md): Textron 208B · Nome, AK · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Feb 6, 2025 · N321BA · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN25LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA074.md): Cessna 560 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 27, 2024 · N753MB · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR25LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN24LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA194.md): Lanni Charles T Skyranger II · Breaux Bridge, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 11, 2024 · N122LF · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN24FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA028.md): Piper PA46 · McCook, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [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 CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA23FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA280.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · Destroyed
  > The 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,…
- [NTSB CEN23LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA202.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Wright, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2023 · N6699Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff with the airplane overloaded which resulted in the airplane settling and subsequently impacting terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA161.md): Piper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA23LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA020.md): Aero Commander 100 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 13, 2022 · N3885X · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA22FA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA422.md): Wren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2022 · N709RD · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA22FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA387.md): Sea & Sky Krucker Cygnet · Emily, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2022 · N505DB · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR22FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA304.md): Aviat A-1A · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 15, 2022 · N26HV · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ANC22FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA066.md): Piper PA-12 · Arctic Village, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2022 · N3937M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart in turbulent and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA262.md): Cessna P210N · Cresson, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2022 · N7361K · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [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 ERA21FA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA377.md): Beech C23 · Lansing, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 26, 2021 · N3342L · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ANC21LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA071.md): Piper PA-14 · Tyonek, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 15, 2021 · N4226H · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA21LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA292.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR20LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA301.md): Lake LA4 · Rawlins, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2020 · N93AB · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN20LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA305.md): Piper PA28 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2020 · N716RL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off in an airplane over maximum gross weight and with a tailwind, which prevented the airplane from climbing.
- [NTSB ERA20LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA207.md): Quad City Challenger · Wurtsboro, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2020 · N850RW · Substantial damage
  > A 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.
- [NTSB CEN20LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA199.md): Piper PA28 · Pineville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N6461J · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR20FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA072.md): Beech B36TC · Corona, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 22, 2020 · N36TT · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ANC20LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA015.md): Beech 200 · Unalaska, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 16, 2020 · N547LM · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [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 CEN20FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA022.md): Pilatus PC12 · Chamberlain, SD · Accident · 9 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 30, 2019 · N56KJ · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN20FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA001.md): Socata TBM 700 · Lansing, MI · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 3, 2019 · N700AQ · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ANC19LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA054.md): Piper PA 18 · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2019 · N7071B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a takeoff with an overweight float-equipped airplane, which resulted in diminished climb performance.
- [NTSB WPR19FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA252.md): Beech C24 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N24030 · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB GAA19CA456](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA456.md): Piper PA46 · Sparta, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N12KW · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN19LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA242.md): Icon A5 · Lake, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N663BA · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB GAA19CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA339.md): Air Tractor AT502 · San Benito, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 13, 2019 · N103CK · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN19FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA124.md): Beech 58 · Kerrville, TX · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2019 · N501CE · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB GAA19CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA060.md): Beech 36 · Williams, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 14, 2018 · N264PC · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN18LA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA383.md): Piper PA46 · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N747DA · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA18FA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA238.md): Schweizer SGS 2 32 · Morrisville, VT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2018 · N17970 · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR18LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA205.md): Cessna 177 · San Diego/El Cajon, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2018 · N3477T · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN18LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA299.md): Piper PA28 · Columbia, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2018 · N624FL · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ANC18FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA055.md): De Havilland DHC-2 · Willow, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N9878R · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB GAA18CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA430.md): Robinson R44 · Okawville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA18CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA276.md): Cessna 172 · Batavia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 8, 2018 · N377ES · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR18FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA119.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR18FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR18LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA069.md): Mooney M20E · Skyforest, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2018 · N5562Q · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN18FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA061.md): Cessna 340 · Bartow, FL · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2017 · N247AT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation during takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/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", '01061035'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases

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