NTSB investigations

53 cases where NTSB found Motivation/respond to pressure.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 53 cases
20084
20101
20113
20122
20135
20153
20168
20177
20185
20193
20202
20216
20222
20231
20251

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\", '02021025'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ERA25LA251Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Elberta, ALPilot’s decision to take off from a wet and unmaintained field that was unsuitable for airplane operations, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight.Jun 27, 2025 · N3228B · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E-90 · Winslow, ARThe pilot’s poor preflight decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without a functional autopilot system, which resulted in spatial disorientation and his failure to maintain aircraft control while flying in IMC during the…May 17, 2023 · N522MJ · DestroyedNTSB CEN23LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150G · Pocahantas, IAThe pilot’s landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's encounter with adverse weather conditions which led to structural icing that affected flight characteristics…Dec 20, 2022 · N2930J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA314Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 210C · Shelby, MIThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to commence the flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to…Jul 15, 2022 · N3659Y · DestroyedNTSB WPR21LA348Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Grass Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to an electrical issue.Sep 19, 2021 · N4977G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21FA286Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B16 · Truckee, CAThe first officer’s (FO’s) improper decision to attempt to salvage an unstabilized approach by executing a steep left turn to realign the airplane with the runway centerline, and the captain’s failure to intervene after recognizing the FO’s erroneous action,…Jul 26, 2021 · N605TR · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA297Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEarthstar Gull 2000 · Curtiss, WIThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions with dense fog and low clouds, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-imposed…Jun 30, 2021 · N1712L · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA293Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Porter, TXThe pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff with degraded engine performance, which resulted in an inability to climb and a subsequent forced landing. The reason for the engine’s degraded performance could not be determined based on available information.Jun 25, 2021 · N4216J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA208Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportIsrael Aerospace Industries Gulfstream G150 · Ridgeland, SCThe flight crew’s continuation of an unstable approach and the failure of the ground air brakes to deploy upon touchdown, both of which resulted in the runway overrun. Contributing was the crew’s motivation and response to external pressures to complete the…May 5, 2021 · N22ST · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21FA189Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Brownsville, TNThe student pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a rapid uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the self-induced and external…Apr 21, 2021 · N4303G · DestroyedNTSB WPR20LA194Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Imnaha, ORThe pilot’s excessively high pitch attitude and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue and…Jun 24, 2020 · N9169G · Substantial damageNTSB DCA20MA059Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s likely self-induced pressure…Jan 26, 2020 · N72EX · DestroyedNTSB GAA20CA023Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Louisville, KYThe student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplaneOct 15, 2019 · N6097G · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA150Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · New York, NYThe pilot's decision to initiate a flight into low instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in six missed approaches at two airports and a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the external pressure the…Apr 14, 2019 · N5296H · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA116Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Fellsmere, FLThe student pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation following an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the pilot and the flight school to ensure that the…Mar 5, 2019 · N556PU · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Lincolnton, NCThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA408Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Rulo, NEThe pilot's improper collective application, which resulted in low rotor rpm during the takeoff climb and a subsequent ground collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the operation.Jul 10, 2018 · N144DJ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lone Tree, COThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to fly the airplane at night in marginal weather conditions.May 12, 2018 · N507TX · DestroyedNTSB ANC18LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GC · Anchorage, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a loss of control and failure of the main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land.Mar 26, 2018 · N4844E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18CA096Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · Pixley, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight due to impending…Feb 28, 2018 · N7800S · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Starke, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing was the pilot's lack of instrument currency and his self-induced pressure to complete the flight.Nov 23, 2017 · N6894N · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA022Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Fountain Run, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…Nov 12, 2017 · N3371W · DestroyedNTSB WPR17LA212Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Glendale, CAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper decision to not refuel before the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.Sep 23, 2017 · N34BE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Winchester, NHThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…Jul 13, 2017 · N210MX · DestroyedNTSB GAA17CA401Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, INThe pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…Jul 7, 2017 · N3203D · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA325Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Ellington, CTThe pilot’s unstabilized approach and failure to go around in rainy, gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to land due to the deteriorating weather conditions.Jun 1, 2017 · N6193B · Substantial damageNTSB ANC17LA025Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's decision to depart into an area of degraded visual meteorological and flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.May 23, 2017 · N207CH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart on and continue a flight over mountainous terrain into forecast instrument metrological conditions, icing, and hazardous wind conditions that exceeded the airplanes performance capabilities and resulted in an…Oct 15, 2016 · N8718X · DestroyedNTSB GAA16CA355Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRainbow Sky Reach Bushcat · Cairo, NEThe pilot's decision to fly into deteriorating weather conditions, leading to a precautionary off airport soft field landing which resulted in a nose gear collapse and the airplane to nose over.Jul 4, 2016 · N321WL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16FA212Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Wishek, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…Jun 9, 2016 · N6223W · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16FA211Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Houston, TXThe pilot's improper go-around procedure that did not ensure that the airplane was at a safe airspeed before raising the flaps, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and spin into…Jun 9, 2016 · N4252G · Substantial damageNTSB ANC16FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Skagway, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the…May 7, 2016 · N94TH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…Mar 26, 2016 · N911GF · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLiberty Aerospace Liberty XL · Orlando, FLA failure of the right brake for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the flight after experiencing a braking anomaly due to his perceived need for an…Feb 21, 2016 · N568XL · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA116Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Durant, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, resulting in a porpoise.Jan 29, 2016 · N5101P · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA041Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32RT-300T · Bakersfield, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct and continue the flight despite forecast and en route instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which were not conducive to safe operation under visual flight rules. Also causal to the accident was the…Dec 19, 2015 · N36402 · DestroyedNTSB WPR16LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210K · Boise, IDThe pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management due to distraction and self-induced pressure, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to conduct the descent checklist, which…Oct 13, 2015 · N8273M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA354Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Moneta, VAThe pilot's premature retraction of the wing flaps and his subsequent failure to maintain pitch control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident…Sep 13, 2015 · N2835X · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFocke-Wulf FWP 149D · Kenansville, NCThe pilot’s loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the…Nov 17, 2013 · N132FW · DestroyedNTSB ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…Apr 3, 2013 · N3101H · DestroyedNTSB ANC13GA036Accident · 3 fatalClass 1Final reportEurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control. Also causal was the Alaska Department of Public Safety's punitive culture and…Mar 31, 2013 · N911AA · DestroyedNTSB ERA13LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2 · Danville, PAThe pilot’s decision to conduct a straight-in approach to the helipad, which resulted in the main rotor blade impacting a construction crane flag marker. Contributing to the accident was the erroneous information about the construction crane’s operation time…Feb 14, 2013 · N481LF · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Yeehaw Junction, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the copilot's improper evaluation of the weather…Feb 14, 2013 · N104DR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA055Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Jackson, MSThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in his failure to note the water in the fuel tank due to condensation, which subsequently shut down the engine in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…Nov 13, 2012 · N717RL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA424Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Bedford, INThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to return home.Jul 8, 2012 · N8733V · Substantial damageNTSB ANC11FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Juneau, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to reach his destination.Jul 24, 2011 · N7304S · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11CA236Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Millville, NJThe pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during the go-around.Apr 10, 2011 · N6338F · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLearjet 25 · Houston, TXThe flying pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point in low-visibility conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was mission pressure to land at that airport.Mar 4, 2011 · XA-TWH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA105Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Greenbush, METhe pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for moderate turbulence and not equipped with deicing systems. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…Jan 4, 2010 · N5118J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPartenavia P.68C · Gainesville, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during an instrument-landing-system (ILS) approach. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision to initiate the ILS approach with weather below the published minimums, and the pilot's…Nov 7, 2008 · N681KW · Substantial damage