# NTSB investigations: Illicit drug 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 · 67 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN24LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA332.md): Apex CROSS-5X · Columbus, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2024 · N223CL · Substantial damage > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff. - [NTSB ERA24LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA297.md): Buckeye Dream Machine · Bainbridge, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2024 · UNREG · Destroyed > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use. - [NTSB CEN24FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA215.md): Piper PA28 · Clinton, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2024 · N1039X · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s or flight instructor’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector valve between the Left Tank and Off… - [NTSB WPR24FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA080.md): Swanson R/Swanson S RV-6 · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 30, 2024 · N30AK · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a separated fuel line and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's medical condition and the effects of multiple impairing substances. - [NTSB DCA23LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA109.md): Embraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Montgomery, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 31, 2022 · N264NN · Minor damage > The ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion… - [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 WPR22FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA240.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Boulder City, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 3, 2022 · N343BH · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane by exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering in a turning climb at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot was unable to… - [NTSB WPR22FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA073.md): Mooney M20C · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight. - [NTSB ERA21LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA283.md): Bailey N Moyes Dragonfly · Charlestown, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N346FL · Substantial damage > The passenger’s decision to continue an unstable approach while at low altitude and in proximity to a known obstacle, which resulted in a collision with power lines. - [NTSB WPR21FA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA242.md): Cameron Balloons US O-120 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 26, 2021 · N158NM · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of impairing, illicit drugs. - [NTSB CEN21LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA107.md): Hawker Beechcraft G58 · Credit, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 4, 2021 · N325GC · Destroyed > A loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an emergency descent with one engine inoperative and inadvertent collision with transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to respond appropriately to the… - [NTSB CEN21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA084.md): Robinson R44 · Colorado City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 10, 2020 · N7085Z · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol. - [NTSB WPR20FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA049.md): Cessna 182 · Goodyear, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 22, 2019 · N3371U · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines due to his impairment from cannabis. - [NTSB WPR20FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA018.md): Cessna 150 · Brawley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2019 · N7158X · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to perform a flight while impaired by the effects of alcohol and cocaine, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the flight. - [NTSB WPR20FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA015.md): Mooney M20J · American Falls, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2019 · N201BJ · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an aerodynamic stall following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB WPR19FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA148.md): Robinson R44 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which… - [NTSB WPR19FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA143.md): Top Dog TopDog Ultralight · Creswell, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 12, 2019 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The non-certificated pilot's loss of control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was his lack of training in the aircraft and his impairment from illicit drugs. - [NTSB ERA19FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA155.md): Bellanca 1730 · Henderson, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 23, 2019 · N9693E · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack at a low altitude, in the airport traffic pattern, following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing… - [NTSB CEN19FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA120.md): Piper PA28 · Lake, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 13, 2019 · N4890L · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s loss of control while flying in dark night instrument meteorological weather conditions with convective activity, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its structural limitations and experiencing an in-flight breakup.… - [NTSB WPR18FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA244.md): Cessna 150 · Redding, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2018 · N7990F · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to properly configure the wing flaps for… - [NTSB ERA17FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA232.md): Morrisey 2150A · Honesdale, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N917JL · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of two psychoactive substances, which led to his impaired decision to attempt to takeoff after engine issues became evident. - [NTSB WPR17LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA126.md): Hy-Tek Hurricane · Redcrest, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The noncertificated pilot's impairment from methamphetamine and alcohol use, which precluded the pilot from maintaining control of the airplane after a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. - [NTSB CEN17FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA164.md): Bellanca 17 31ATC · Boonville, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 2017 · N787TV · Substantial damage > The pilot's impairment, due to his use of a combination of psychoactive drugs and a vision deficiency in his left eye, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate altitude during final approach to landing and subsequent collision with power lines. - [NTSB WPR17FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA074.md): Quicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to identify and correct his construction error of a critical structural component, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of multiple… - [NTSB WPR17FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA057.md): Beech 300 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 2017 · N385KA · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by the effects of a combination of psychoactive substances. - [NTSB CEN16FA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA370.md): Piper PA 11 · Arcanum, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2016 · N4910M · Substantial damage > The student pilot's reckless flying attitude and use of multiple psychoactive drugs, which likely impaired his ability to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. - [NTSB CEN16FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA114.md): Ohlgren RV 6A · Abilene, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2016 · N419B · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of central… - [NTSB ERA16FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA064.md): Beech A36 · Farmington, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of… - [NTSB CEN16FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA054.md): Cessna 140 · Keytesville, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2015 · N90123 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to operate in dark night conditions with low clouds, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of methamphetamine, which impaired his… - [NTSB CEN15LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA306.md): Air Creation Clipper 582 · Clark, SD · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the weight-shift control aircraft during initial climb due to his impairment from ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. - [NTSB CEN15FA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA291.md): Champion 7BCM · Portland, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2015 · N10497 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s ostentatious low-altitude aerobatic display, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin when he exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and drugs. - [NTSB WPR15LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA193.md): Bell 47G 5 · Salinas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 2015 · N4427F · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by high-dose opioid use. - [NTSB CEN15FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA232.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 16, 2015 · N9032P · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff due to his impairment from marijuana. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired decision to fly after using a disqualifying drug. - [NTSB WPR15FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA010.md): Cessna 170B · Yerington, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2014 · N3558C · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The failure of the Savannah pilot to maintain awareness of the position of the Cessna while attempting a join up maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the impaired decision-making of the Savannah's pilot due to the combined effects of licit and illicit… - [NTSB CEN14LA485](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA485.md): Cismowski Tierra II · Montevideo, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2014 · N622MC · Substantial damage > The pilot's impaired judgment due to the use of marijuana, which led to his improper decision to fly the airplane over its maximum gross weight and his subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff with gusting wind conditions. - [NTSB WPR14FA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA348.md): Cliff Starduster II SA300 · Placerville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2014 · N411TM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal… - [NTSB CEN14FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA339.md): North American/Aero Classics P 51D · Durango, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2014 · N1451D · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to compensate for the high-performance airplane's tendency to enter a torque roll during the initial climb, which resulted in the airplane entering a torque roll and the subsequent loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover.… - [NTSB CEN14LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA316.md): Grazhopper Trike · Ottawa, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2014 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to operate the powered-parachute at low altitude through mist in a confined area while he was impaired by multiple sedating medications, which resulted in his loss of control of the parachute and subsequent impact… - [NTSB ERA14FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA162.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Safety Harbor, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2014 · N8309L · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to cocaine use. - [NTSB ERA14FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA073.md): Raytheon 390 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2013 · N50PM · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering the airplane in the traffic pattern at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the use of illicit drugs. - [NTSB ANC13FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13FA090.md): Champion 7ECA · Sutton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2013 · N9624S · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of marijuana, which likely degraded his psychomotor… - [NTSB CEN13FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA420.md): Champion 7KCAB · Oak Ridge, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2013 · N2978G · Substantial damage > The private pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing agricultural operations turns low to the ground, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the private pilot’s impairment due to his… - [NTSB WPR13FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA083.md): Luscombe 8A · Oceano, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2013 · N45923 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and his improper decision to begin a low-level maneuver at an altitude that was not sufficient for recovery before ground impact. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from marijuana use. - [NTSB ERA13FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA096.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Leesburg, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2012 · N78WM · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of power in both engines during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of prescription and illicit drugs, which likely impaired… - [NTSB WPR13FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA022.md): Behne Glasair III · Byron, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2012 · N655DB · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall and subsequent spin. - [NTSB WPR12LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA442.md): Air Creation Tanarg · Safford, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2012 · N2751N · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in high wind conditions and his failure to adjust the trim appropriately. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s nonstandard modified wing configuration. - [NTSB CEN12FA571](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA571.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Milner, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2012 · N7774P · Substantial damage > The student pilot's impairment from alcohol, marijuana, and hypoxia, which adversely affected his ability to maintain control of the airplane. - [NTSB CEN12LA466](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA466.md): Toman Jack JR Skystar Kitfox 4 · Cross Lake, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2012 · N602JT · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana. - [NTSB CEN12LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA368.md): Mooney M20F · Hooker, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2012 · N6455Q · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures, which resulted in an… - [NTSB ERA12FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA130.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2011 · N7408Z · Substantial damage > The pilot's in-flight loss of control during climb after a banner pickup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012020/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", '02012020')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012020/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.