# Action/decision - Type: NTSB finding subcategory - Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › Action/decision - NTSB code: 0204 - Cases: 7288 - In the probable cause: 6975 - Fatal cases: 1568 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0204/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0204/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0204 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 481 / 500 - 2009: 436 / 446 - 2010: 534 / 543 - 2011: 597 / 602 - 2012: 536 / 544 - 2013: 432 / 437 - 2014: 416 / 430 - 2015: 332 / 337 - 2016: 351 / 367 - 2017: 355 / 367 - 2018: 336 / 346 - 2019: 301 / 316 - 2020: 295 / 309 - 2021: 325 / 369 - 2022: 333 / 371 - 2023: 325 / 362 - 2024: 268 / 296 - 2025: 219 / 234 - 2026: 103 / 112 ## Sections - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020410): 4,052 cases, 3,901 in the probable cause - [Info processing/decision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020415): 3,679 cases, 3,485 in the probable cause - [Action/decision, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020400): 56 cases, 50 in the probable cause ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 981 cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 718 cases - [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 408 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 333 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 332 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 321 cases - [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 311 cases - [Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095): 307 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 242 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 237 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 124 cases - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 105 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 102 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 96 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 88 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 88 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 77 cases - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 74 cases - [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22): 73 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 62 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 1,955 cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 663 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 564 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 551 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 477 cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 439 cases - [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 439 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 398 cases - [Descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040) (Aircraft): 395 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 269 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA26LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA323), Sep 1, 2026: Mooney M-20 (N3706N), Stanfield, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing on uneven terrain. - [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 ERA26LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA314), Aug 21, 2026: Cessna 421 (N28RH), Fulton, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The misfuelling of the airplane by the refueler. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to verify that the airplane had been properly fueled prior to departing on the accident flight. - [NTSB CEN26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA300), Aug 21, 2026: Cessna T206H (N464PM), Marble, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the final approach in variable and gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were localized wind effects associated with… - [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 CEN26LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA294), Aug 15, 2026: Pipistrel Taurus Electro G2.5 (N984TP), Hempstead, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly stow the motor in preparation for approach and landing that resulted in a loss of airspeed and an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and spin. - [NTSB ERA26LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA292), Aug 4, 2026: Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/LT (N330SB), Whitehouse, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure the canopy was properly locked before flight, which resulted in the canopy opening during takeoff. - [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 ERA26LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA284), Jul 24, 2026: Piper PA28 (N44704), Palmetto, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a fence. - [NTSB WPR26LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA265), Jul 17, 2026: Vans RV-7A (N987CW), Covington, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, nose landing gear collapse, and nose over. 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. --- 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.