# Directional control

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft oper/perf/capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0106) › [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010620) › Directional control
- NTSB code: 01062020
- Cases: 3958
- In the probable cause: 3826
- Fatal cases: 86
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 217 / 224
- 2009: 236 / 240
- 2010: 218 / 229
- 2011: 230 / 240
- 2012: 245 / 250
- 2013: 181 / 185
- 2014: 199 / 201
- 2015: 179 / 183
- 2016: 244 / 245
- 2017: 226 / 236
- 2018: 244 / 247
- 2019: 209 / 211
- 2020: 187 / 195
- 2021: 187 / 195
- 2022: 195 / 206
- 2023: 194 / 214
- 2024: 195 / 205
- 2025: 168 / 175
- 2026: 72 / 77

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 2,804 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 393 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 142 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 83 cases
- [Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090): 70 cases
- [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 68 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 57 cases
- [Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096): 46 cases
- [Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094): 36 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 27 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 98 cases
- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 82 cases
- [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b): 74 cases
- [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 66 cases
- [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180): 64 cases
- [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 59 cases
- [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f): 56 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 41 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 40 cases
- [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150): 38 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 3,104 cases
- [Crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040) (Environmental issues): 645 cases
- [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 537 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 202 cases
- [Tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015) (Environmental issues): 187 cases
- [Delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025) (Personnel issues): 159 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 146 cases
- [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 140 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 127 cases
- [Sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015) (Environmental issues): 115 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA315), Sep 10, 2026: Progressive Aerodyne Searey (N80515), DeQuincy, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff after encountering a wind gust. Contributing to the accident was nearby convective activity.
- [NTSB CEN26LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA304), Sep 1, 2026: Piper PA-28-161 (N47899), Hudson Oaks, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the rejected takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff after the…
- [NTSB CEN26LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA307), Aug 29, 2026: Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A) (N41362), Midland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA26LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA315), Aug 25, 2026: Piper PA-22-150 (N6157D), Rural Retreat, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB CEN26LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA297), Aug 17, 2026: Aeroprakt Manufacturing SP Zoo A22LS (N22FC), Searcy, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN26LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA298), Aug 15, 2026: Rotor Effects M24 Plus (N91JL), Waelder, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper execution of rejected takeoff procedures, which resulted in loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA26LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA282), Jul 27, 2026: American Champion 7GCBC (N291CA), Sanford, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB ERA26LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA279), Jul 23, 2026: Beech A23-24 (N3661Q), Middlefield, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA26LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA276), Jul 17, 2026: Christen Industries Pitts S-2 (N7RN), Porter Center, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ERA26LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA272), Jul 10, 2026: Cessna 170B (N1838C), Hartwell, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to compensate for the gusty and variable wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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