# Weight/balance calculations - 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) › Weight/balance calculations - NTSB code: 02061015 - Cases: 110 - In the probable cause: 95 - Fatal cases: 40 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 4 / 4 - 2009: 11 / 11 - 2010: 6 / 7 - 2011: 10 / 11 - 2012: 3 / 3 - 2013: 6 / 7 - 2014: 7 / 7 - 2015: 4 / 7 - 2016: 6 / 8 - 2017: 7 / 8 - 2018: 9 / 12 - 2019: 3 / 3 - 2020: 4 / 4 - 2021: 4 / 6 - 2022: 1 / 2 - 2023: 6 / 6 - 2024: 1 / 1 - 2025: 3 / 3 ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 35 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 15 cases - [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 13 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 8 cases - [Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010): 7 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 5 cases - [Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500): 4 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 3 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 3 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 2 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 3 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 3 cases - [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300): 3 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 3 cases - [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r): 3 cases - [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p): 3 cases - [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a): 2 cases - [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161): 2 cases - [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a): 2 cases - [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3): 2 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 48 cases - [Maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035) (Aircraft): 47 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 40 cases - [CG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040) (Aircraft): 33 cases - [Angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042) (Aircraft): 23 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 17 cases - [Performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010) (Personnel issues): 15 cases - [High density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020) (Environmental issues): 9 cases - [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 8 cases - [Loading, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500) (Aircraft): 8 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA25LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA379), Sep 28, 2025: Mccaa Robert T Avid/Kitfox Flyer (N533SE), Oakland, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/owner’s failure to accurately determine the airplane’s weight and performance limitations before initiating the takeoff. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor’s improper… - [NTSB ERA25LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA266), Jul 14, 2025: Cessna T337G (N289), Pembroke Pines, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power to one of the airplane’s two engines. Contributing to the outcome was the… - [NTSB ERA25LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA137), Mar 9, 2025: Beech A36TC (N347M), Lititz, PA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff due to his distraction by the opening of the cabin door, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and… - [NTSB CEN25LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA074), Dec 27, 2024: Cessna 560 (N753MB), Pagosa Springs, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and poor preflight inspection and decision-making, which led to a takeoff attempt above the airplane’s certified maximum takeoff weight with… - [NTSB CEN24FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA028), Oct 30, 2023: Piper PA46 (N510KC), McCook, NE, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s… - [NTSB ERA24LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA007), Oct 12, 2023: Cirrus SR22 (N253BC), Martinsville, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff while distracted by primary flight display anomaly and terrain alerts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to… - [NTSB ERA24FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA001), Oct 1, 2023: Cessna 177RG (N545PZ), Lake Placid, NY, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weight and balance planning and his aggressive low altitude maneuvering,… - [NTSB CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326), Jul 26, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N4174L), Charles City, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb. - [NTSB ERA23FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA280), Jul 2, 2023: Piper PA-32R-300 (N5524F), North Myrtle Beach, SC, destroyed, 5 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its… - [NTSB ERA23LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA161), Mar 23, 2023: Piper PA-46-350P (N280KC), St. Augustine, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff above the airplane’s maximum gross weight, a CG forward of the limit, and a tailwind component that prevented the airplane from… 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.