# NTSB investigations: CG/weight distribution 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 · 66 cases ## Latest cases - [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 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 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 ANC22LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA035.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Yakutat, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 24, 2022 · N703TH · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to determine the actual weight and balance of the airplane before departure, which resulted in the airplane being operated outside of the aft center of gravity limits and the subsequent aerodynamic stall on final approach. Contributing to… - [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 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 ANC20LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA077.md): Cessna 180 · Kenai, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2020 · N9712G · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to place a passenger and baggage in the rear baggage compartment, which resulted in an aft center of gravity, an increase in directional instability, and affected the pilot’s ability to maintain directional control, resulting in… - [NTSB WPR20CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA185.md): Vans RV 6 · Clovis, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2020 · N1407W · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s aft center of gravity at the time of the accident. - [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 GAA19CA535](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA535.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Turkey, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N602SS · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. - [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 WPR19MA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19MA177.md): Beech 65-A90 · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · 11 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Jun 22, 2019 · N256TA · Destroyed > The pilot’s aggressive takeoff maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control at an altitude that was too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident were (1) the operation of the airplane near its aft center of gravity… - [NTSB CEN19LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA176.md): Kolb Kolb Twinstar TSP 1 · Hector, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2019 · N217JM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s operation of the airplane outside of the center of gravity limits, which resulted in an adverse aerodynamic condition and subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s incorrect calculations of the airplane’s CG limits. - [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 WPR18FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA237.md): Champion 7KCAB · Descanso, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,… - [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 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. - [NTSB ANC17LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA033.md): Piper PA 12 · Skwentna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2017 · N4018H · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to properly secure the external load, which resulted in the load shifting during flight, interference with the water rudder cable, and a subsequent loss of control - [NTSB ANC17FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA026.md): Arctic S 1B2 · Salcha, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2017 · N57AT · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in high winds, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to load the… - [NTSB ERA17FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA106.md): Beech C23 · Winder, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2017 · N24695 · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning and operation of the airplane outside its center of gravity envelope, which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering. - [NTSB WPR16FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA178.md): Piper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2016 · N821ET · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to depart with the airplane loaded above its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to… - [NTSB ERA16LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA301.md): Means Rober C Rotorway Exec · Iron Station, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2016 · N48KM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground while hovering, which resulted in separation of the forward section of the right skid tube with counterweight attached, a sudden center of gravity (CG) shift outside the normal operating… - [NTSB CEN16LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA310.md): Piper PA-11 · Indianola, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb. - [NTSB WPR16LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA150.md): Beech 65 A90 · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2016 · N256TA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow prescribed spin… - [NTSB ERA16FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA097.md): Brook Aaron D Lancair IV P · Albany, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2016 · N401PT · Destroyed > The pilots' failure to maintain control during a takeoff attempt in a high-performance airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilots' decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight and with an aft center of gravity and their lack of… - [NTSB CEN16LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA089.md): Cessna 208B · Grand Forks, ND · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2015 · N617ST · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and center of gravity, which resulted in the tail striking the ground. - [NTSB GAA16LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA046.md): U-Fly-It Aerolite 103 · Midland, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA15FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA359.md): Boatright Waylon RV10 · Alma, GA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2015 · N122WK · Destroyed > The noncertificated pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in his overweight, improperly-loaded airplane in dark night conditions at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident… - [NTSB ANC15FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA071.md): Dehavilland DHC 3T · Iliamna, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2015 · N928RK · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to depart in dark night, visual meteorological conditions over water, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to determine the airplane's… - [NTSB CEN15LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA402.md): Viking Dragonfly · Freeport, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2015 · N24TL · Substantial damage > The airplane’s degraded climb performance due to its being over its maximum gross weight and a hole in the engine exhaust. - [NTSB ERA15LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA357.md): Beech V35B · Wilmington, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2015 · N789WF · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in a sudden pitch up during the attempted takeoff, the pilot’s subsequent loss of directional control, and an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB GAA15CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA205.md): Boeing B75N1 · Shelter Island, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2015 · N5820V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over. - [NTSB ERA15LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA282.md): North American Navion · Waynesboro, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2015 · N91418 · Substantial damage > The pilot's early rotation of the airplane and his failure to attain a positive climb rate during takeoff with the airplane near its aft center of gravity limit from a runway with little margin for error. - [NTSB CEN15FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA190.md): Cessna 414A · Bloomington, IL · Accident · 7 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2015 · N789UP · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the… - [NTSB ERA14FA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA461.md): Eagle R&D Helicycle · Gallatin, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 2014 · N7062U · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to fly the improperly balanced helicopter at high speed and low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's depression and resulting degradation of executive… - [NTSB ERA14LA450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA450.md): Barger Jerry L Challenger II · Clarion, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2014 · N4017C · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff with the airplane's center of gravity aft of its limit and led the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and experience an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.… - [NTSB WPR14FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA362.md): Cessna 177B · Neihart, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2014 · N34880 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over… - [NTSB ERA14CA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA397.md): Raytheon G36 · Milton, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 20, 2014 · N636TM · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an attempted takeoff over the airplane's maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience in the aircraft… - [NTSB ERA14CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA408.md): Day William L Minicoupe · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2014 · N853WD · Substantial damage > The pilot/owner/builder's improper weight and balance calculations, which rendered the airplane uncontrollable in the pitch axis. - [NTSB ERA14FA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA343.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · North Captiva Island, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2014 · N297AS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to secure the cargo in the cargo compartment, which resulted in a weight shift that led to the center of gravity exceeding its aft limit during a go-around attempt and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Also causal to the accident were the… - [NTSB ERA14LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA330.md): Zubair S Khan Raven · Mattituck, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2014 · N79ZR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to ensure that the airplane was loaded within its calculated center of gravity limits, which resulted in longitudinal instability and a subsequent unrecoverable stall. - [NTSB CEN13IA563](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13IA563.md): Pilatus PC-12/47E · Austin, TX · Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2013 · N617BG · Minor damage > The pilot’s improper weight and balance calculations, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its weight and center-of-gravity limits and led to a loss of pitch control during takeoff, and the operator’s failure to obtain required weight information and to… - [NTSB DCA13MA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13MA121.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · 10 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2013 · N93PC · Destroyed > The operator's failure to determine the actual cargo weight, leading to the loading and operation of the airplane outside of the weight and center of gravity limits contained in the airplane flight manual, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing… - [NTSB ERA13LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA252.md): Beech A36 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 23, 2013 · N8225T · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being loaded in excess of its maximum gross weight at an aft center of gravity for a takeoff with a quartering tailwind and high-density altitude conditions, all of which degraded the… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/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", '01061040')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.