# NTSB investigations: Climb rate

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 6 · 265 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA201.md): Cessna 172H · Berryville, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2026 · N2632L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command’s decision to continue the takeoff when the airplane was not airborne at midfield, and the student pilot’s likely improper technique that resulted in a lack of sufficient climb performance and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR26LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA087.md): Kitfox Series 7 · Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2026 · N775DZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from terrain during a go-around.
- [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 WPR25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA271.md): Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2025 · N45254 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB ANC25LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA100.md): Champion 7GCBC · Sutton, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2025 · N5267X · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC25LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA088.md): Cessna 180G · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2025 · N4721U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with tree-covered terrain.
- [NTSB WPR25LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA234.md): Cessna 182Q · Cashmere, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2025 · N759NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an aborted landing, while flying in tailwind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB CEN25LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA283.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Hartsburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2371V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip.
- [NTSB CEN25LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA267.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Wyoming, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 15, 2025 · N647RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a positive climb rate due to airplane’s improper takeoff configuration.
- [NTSB CEN25LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA251.md): Scott Vincin Just Acft Highlander · Mancos, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2025 · N970SV · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s reduced climb performance during takeoff in mountainous terrain, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA240.md): Cub Crafters CCK-1865 · La Garita, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2025 · N952SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
- [NTSB ERA25LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA212.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Fremont, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2025 · N260LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA102.md): Cessna 177 · Iron River, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 24, 2025 · N34284 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s collision with runway lights during takeoff due to reduced airplane climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the shifting winds during takeoff which likely developed into a tailwind.
- [NTSB ANC24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA098.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2024 · N4242Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with obstacles and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ANC24LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA090.md): Piper PA-18A 150 · Denali, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2024 · N424RD · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to the airplane’s encounter with windshear during takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC24LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA086.md): Cessna 150H · Tok, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2024 · N41WP · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with gusting winds resulting in a loss of altitude with performance insufficient to outclimb terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA083.md): Piper PA22 · Aleknagik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2024 · N4NW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN24LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA330.md): Esqual VM1 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2024 · N151GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff which resulted in the airplane settling back to the runway and the subsequent separation of the left wheel.
- [NTSB CEN24LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA265.md): Cessna 180 · Le Roy, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2024 · N7827K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR24LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA221.md): Beech B19 · Running Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2024 · N6553R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude toward rising terrain, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN24LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA246.md): Air Tractor AT-402 · Helm, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N9185K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA195.md): Luscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N37081 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA208.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Dalhart, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N9715T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight at a high density altitude, which degraded its climb performance and led an off airport landing.
- [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 ERA24LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA183.md): Aeronca 11AC · Conyers, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2024 · N3420E · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with shifting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane using more runway than anticipated, an aborted takeoff, and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure account for the potential of variable and…
- [NTSB ERA24LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA153.md): Denzil Velarde MTO Sport · Tavernier, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 24, 2024 · N291AG · Substantial damage
  > The gyroplane’s encounter with a tailwind during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA094.md): Aeronca 7AC · Valley Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 23, 2024 · N1611E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and inadvertently entering a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA041.md): Cessna 421 · Lake City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2023 · N977SM · Substantial damage
  > A landing gear collapse following an aborted takeoff due to degraded climb performance for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA24LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA007.md): Cirrus SR22 · Martinsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2023 · N253BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff while distracted by primary flight display anomaly and terrain alerts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, which…
- [NTSB ANC23LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA082.md): Helio H-295 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2023 · N713C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with windshear during initial climb out, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA335.md): Cessna 150M · Marble Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2023 · N9328U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after an encounter with windshear during takeoff which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA358.md): Cirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 3, 2023 · N420PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA322.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA374.md): Cessna A188B · Bay Port, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N8075G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff from a soft wet runway with a quartering tailwind which resulted in a lack of climb performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA066.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Tyonek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 15, 2023 · N3995Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with windshear during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA23LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA320.md): Mesnard Velocity Twin · Sandersville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2023 · N106VT · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of power in the right engine due to the right ECU injector wires being severed by the main landing gear actuator piston teeter bar as a result of a lack of clearance and protection of the wiring bundle.
- [NTSB ANC23LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA058.md): Cort J Neuman Apex · Wasilla, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2023 · N907AX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance during takeoff, which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA335.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Tyler, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2023 · N7094Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA050.md): Aviat A-1B · Matanuska Glacier, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2023 · N460JC · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with downdrafts resulting in decreased performance insufficient to outclimb rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA240.md): Cessna 140 · Cedar Mountain, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N2358V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart with a high density altitude, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an impact with trees.
- [NTSB ANC23LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA041.md): Piper PA-12 · McGrath, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N7712H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA174.md): Pool Cessna R172 · Victor, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N15188 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance at the elevated density altitude…
- [NTSB CEN23LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA108.md): Cessna 172H · Crosby, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 12, 2023 · N3238L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed soft-field takeoff procedure, which prevented the pilot from achieving adequate airspeed and a proper climb rate resulting in a collision with a moving train.
- [NTSB WPR23LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA022.md): Beech V35B · Nogales, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 20, 2022 · N50JM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to establish a positive rate of climb before retracting the landing gear when he executed an aborted landing, which resulted in a propeller strike, diminished climb performance, and the inadvertent contact with terrain.
- [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 CEN22LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA314.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Rogers, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2022 · N83552 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to establish a stabilize approach criteria during low-level maneuvering to the runway, which resulted in a hard landing and contact with a hay bale.
- [NTSB WPR22LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA116.md): Liberty Aerospace Liberty XL-2 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2022 · N552XL · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inability to climb during takeoff due to a degradation of engine performance due to high density altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR22LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA037.md): Cessna 172 · Stanley, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2021 · N8509B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed for the airplane to climb with a tailwind.
- [NTSB ERA22FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA024.md): Mooney M20J · Holly Ridge, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2021 · N3933H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/mush during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loading the airplane near its maximum allowable gross weight and near its aft cg…
- [NTSB CEN21LA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA415.md): Cessna 170B · Ozark, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2021 · N2998D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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", '01062035'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases

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