# Planning/preparation, general

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › [Task performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0206) › [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020610) › Planning/preparation, general
- NTSB code: 02061000
- Cases: 113
- In the probable cause: 104
- Fatal cases: 14
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 8 / 8
- 2009: 8 / 10
- 2010: 13 / 13
- 2011: 11 / 11
- 2012: 5 / 6
- 2013: 11 / 12
- 2014: 6 / 7
- 2015: 5 / 5
- 2016: 5 / 5
- 2017: 4 / 4
- 2018: 3 / 3
- 2019: 2 / 2
- 2020: 6 / 7
- 2021: 4 / 4
- 2022: 2 / 2
- 2023: 5 / 5
- 2024: 5 / 6
- 2025: 1 / 3

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 14 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 12 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 10 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 7 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 7 cases
- [Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200): 7 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 6 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 4 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 3 cases
- [Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193): 3 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 3 cases
- [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b): 3 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23): 2 cases
- [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65): 2 cases
- [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k): 2 cases
- [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e): 2 cases
- [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 2 cases
- [Yakovlev YAK 52](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-52): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 16 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 14 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 13 cases
- [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 10 cases
- [Lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030) (Personnel issues): 8 cases
- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 8 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 7 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 7 cases
- [Snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015) (Environmental issues): 6 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 6 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA076), Dec 31, 2025: Nanchang China CJ-6A (N559TX), Burnet, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine, which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.
- [NTSB WPR26LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA042), Nov 9, 2025: Cessna 150 (N6495T), Marana, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper starting procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.
- [NTSB ANC25LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA111), Sep 20, 2025: 217whiskeymike SQ12 (N217WM), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a hole in the tundra, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB DCA25LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA065), Dec 21, 2024: Uvify IFO (UNREG), Orlando, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The remote pilot-in-command’s (RPIC’s) failure to locate the drone show center position over the physical location of the sUA, which resulted in multiple sUA colliding during the initial lift and…
- [NTSB CEN24LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA316), Aug 14, 2024: Cessna A185E (N2248T), Eveleth, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: Water contamination of the fuel system which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight.
- [NTSB CEN24LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA259), Jul 8, 2024: Bell 206L-3 (N206WX), Thorntown, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.
- [NTSB DCA24LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA219), Jun 25, 2024: Boeing 737-79P (N7861J), Portland, ME, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The flight crew’s inadequate review of preflight information and the flight dispatcher’s noncompliance with company guidance requiring the placement of a flight lock, which resulted in the flight’s…
- [NTSB ERA24LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA227), May 26, 2024: Brallier Scott Glasair I (N446KW), Gulf of Mexico, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to…
- [NTSB ERA24LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA142), Mar 14, 2024: Piper J3C-65 (N71093), Homosassa Springs, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to confirm the throttle position before attempting to start the airplane’s engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB OPS24LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OPS24LA011), Dec 9, 2023: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 (N857PA), North Las Vegas, NV, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The local controller’s loss of situational awareness, inadequate provision of traffic advisory or safety alert information, and lack of positive control, that resulted in a near-midair collision.

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.

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