# NTSB investigations: Mental/emotional state

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA255.md): Cessna 172M · Lafayette, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2026 · N6814H · Substantial damage
  > The passenger’s abrupt manipulation of the flight controls during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB CEN26LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA057.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Weatherford, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2025 · N701SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot being in a rush and failing to note the wind direction and speed.
- [NTSB WPR25LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA110.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2025 · N44KY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control after the door opened during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm that the door was properly closed before departure.
- [NTSB DCA25LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA114.md): Airbus Industrie A319 · Houston, TX · Occurrence · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 2, 2025 · N837UA · No damage
  > The failure of the cabin crew to activate the evacuation alarm and to maintain coordinated communication with the flight crew following the cabin crew’s decision to command an evacuation, which resulted in an engine running during the initial evacuation.…
- [NTSB WPR23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Colusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2023 · N6750K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR23LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA154.md): Cessna T337G · Upland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2023 · N38C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly a nonstandard traffic pattern, which resulted in an unstable approach.
- [NTSB WPR22FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA338.md): Czech Sport Piper Sport · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2022 · N126WK · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare due to the passenger’s excessive control inputs, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA22LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA228.md): Cessna 172M · Lancaster, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N20459 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to relinquish the controls when ordered by the instructor.
- [NTSB CEN22LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA043.md): Cessna 172P · Wheeling, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 21, 2021 · N99715 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the student pilot’s self-induced pressure to land after being admonished by the controller.
- [NTSB WPR21LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA269.md): Cessna 172R · Petaluma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N996RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing following a partial loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and hampered visual function.
- [NTSB ERA19FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA134.md): Hogan Innovator · Calhoun, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 23, 2019 · N257AR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the airplane's second test flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot allowing external pressures to guide his decision to fly the airplane when he…
- [NTSB GAA19CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA138.md): Cessna 172RG · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 13, 2019 · N5223V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear position light because his iPad was blocking his view of it and his feeling of being rushed during the approach and…
- [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003.md): Piper J3C · Fancy Gap, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2018 · N38811 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.…
- [NTSB GAA18CA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA461.md): Cessna 152 · Oak Harbor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N152LT · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR18FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA075.md): Cessna 152 · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2018 · N93316 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA053.md): Cessna T210M · Oldenburg, IN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2017 · N761YZ · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 4 piston, which resulted in an attempted forced landing in dark night conditions and a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's situational…
- [NTSB ERA18FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA005.md): Bryant C Crosby BC Ultra PUP · Bardstown, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2017 · N484HC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to initiate a flight in an airplane he had never flown and with no currency in any airplane nor a medical certificate, which resulted in his loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's psychiatric…
- [NTSB CEN17FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA138.md): Beech V35 · Union City, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2017 · N2053Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper recovery from a spin.
- [NTSB WPR17FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA029.md): Bellanca 7GCAA · Glamis, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2016 · N88373 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to attempt a downwind landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a go-around and subsequent landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an…
- [NTSB GAA17CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA030.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Paragould, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2016 · N4218E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to avoid electrical wires during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB WPR16FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA014.md): Piper PA 28R-180 · Morongo Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2015 · N4972J · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's improper inflight decision-making to attempt to outclimb clouds along his planned route rather than reverse course, which resulted in his inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, spatial disorientation, and…
- [NTSB ERA15LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA366.md): Cessna 172 · Bally, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2015 · N347SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during low-level aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to attempt the low-level aerobatic maneuvers and his impairment due to psychiatric conditions and the medications he…
- [NTSB ERA15FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA330.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Alabaster, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2015 · N1116C · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN15LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA122.md): Cessna 172F · Routt County, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2015 · N8368U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain.
- [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 WPR14CA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA391.md): Piper PA 31T - II · Oakland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 24, 2014 · N774MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the checklist and reported stress.
- [NTSB ERA14CA452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA452.md): Cessna 172S · Naples, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2014 · N21670 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR14FA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA355.md): Thomas C Sikes Loehle 5151 Mustang · Chehalis, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2014 · N73144 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was that pilot’s psychiatric disease, which…
- [NTSB ERA14FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA288.md): Piper PA-46-500TP · White Plains, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2014 · N5335R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion). Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart and his decision to depart in low-ceiling and…
- [NTSB WPR14TA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14TA149.md): Bell OH-58A · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 27, 2014 · N497E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a mission at night with known en route weather conditions below operating minimums, likely due to self-induced pressure, and then continue flight beyond the alternate landing airport as weather conditions deteriorated, which…
- [NTSB ERA14FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA044.md): Focke-Wulf FWP 149D · Kenansville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2013 · N132FW · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA14FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA027.md): Cessna 172R · Nashville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2013 · C-GRJH · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway during an attempted approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s mental state, his…
- [NTSB WPR13LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA186.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Silver Peak, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2013 · N205KT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incapacitation due to sleeping pills, which led to the airplane impacting terrain in an autopilot-controlled descent following a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR13FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA058.md): Piper PA-28-160 · Tacna, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2012 · N5076W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to acute psychosis with paranoid thoughts.
- [NTSB CEN12FA611](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA611.md): Fairley Gooch Lancair IV · Winnsboro, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2012 · N1126V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of engine power during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the difficult-to-operate fuel selector valve and the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical…
- [NTSB CEN12FA606](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA606.md): Cessna 421B · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2012 · N69924 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident were the unlatched nose cargo door, the pilot’s diverted attention, and the pilot's mental ability to handle the emergency…
- [NTSB WPR12LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA263.md): Cessna A185F · Winnett, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2012 · CG-ZVF · Substantial damage
  > A momentary loss of engine power, which led to an emergency descent at night during which the airplane collided with a wire. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination and operation did not reveal any…
- [NTSB CEN11FA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA433.md): Klemp Gregory J Challenger II · Neshkoro, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2011 · N12911 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a cold seizure as a result of a broken fan V-belt. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's interference with the flight controls during the forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR11LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA272.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Hogeland, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2011 · N3661B · Substantial damage
  > Collision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR11FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA248.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Astoria, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2011 · N511FS · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's distraction and anxiety from a reported failure of the airplane's electrical system.
- [NTSB WPR11FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA103.md): Cessna T206H · Stanwood, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2011 · N142HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not confirm retraction of the landing gear before landing on water as a result of distraction. Contributing to the accident was the pilot coping with the death of a close family member in the days before the accident, which resulted in a…
- [NTSB ERA10CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA289.md): Cessna 172N · Sterling, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2010 · N6371D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to the passenger’s panicked condition.
- [NTSB CEN10LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA216.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Madison, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2010 · N5425P · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the flight with known physiological impairment and his use of unapproved sedating medication, both of which likely impaired his ability…
- [NTSB CEN09CA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA359.md): Hiller UH-12E · Stringtown, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 11, 2009 · N34SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's preoccupation with personal affairs.
- [NTSB WPR09FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA116.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2009 · N8810P · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…
- [NTSB MIA08LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA166.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche P2002 Sierra · Woodbine, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2008 · N494ES · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's degraded emotional/mental state due to stress.
- [NTSB ANC08FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08FA133.md): Cessna 182 · Juneau, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2008 · N9350X · Destroyed
  > The 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 was the…

## 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", '020225'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020225/cases

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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.
