NTSB investigations

111 cases where NTSB found Weight/balance calculations.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 111 cases
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201111
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201812
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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\", '02061015'))
  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 CEN26LA317Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Natchez, MSThe pilot’s failure to complete a preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in a center of gravity beyond the forward limit, and adversely affected the helicopter’s controllability during takeoff.Sep 13, 2026 · N7527L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA379Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMccaa Robert T Avid/Kitfox Flyer · Oakland, PAThe 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 engine power management and landing flare, which resulted in a…Sep 28, 2025 · N533SE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA266Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T337G · Pembroke Pines, FLThe 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 pilot’s loading of the airplane beyond its maximum gross…Jul 14, 2025 · N289 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA137Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36TC · Lititz, PAThe 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 an aerodynamic stall/mush condition at too low of an…Mar 9, 2025 · N347M · DestroyedNTSB CEN25LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Pagosa Springs, COThe 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 snow-contaminated wings, resulting in a rejected takeoff at an airspeed…Dec 27, 2024 · N753MB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · McCook, NEThe 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 decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum…Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA007Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Martinsville, VAThe 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 take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, which…Oct 12, 2023 · N253BC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Lake Placid, NYA 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, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.Oct 1, 2023 · N545PZ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IAThe 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.Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA280Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe 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 maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA161Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FLThe 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 climbing above trees.Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · DestroyedNTSB ANC22LA035Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Yakutat, AKThe pilot’s failure to determine the actual weight and balance of the airplane before departure, which resulted in the airplane being operated outside of the aft center of gravity limits and the subsequent aerodynamic stall on final approach. Contributing to…May 24, 2022 · N703TH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA218Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Altha, FLThe pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which…May 3, 2022 · N6413B · DestroyedNTSB CEN22LA091Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Presidio, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his decision to operate the airplane beyond the allowable center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.Dec 30, 2021 · N8591W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA009Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot’s failure to ensure that his seat was properly secured before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an installed secondary seat stop, and the airplane’s aft…Oct 8, 2021 · N128EE · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA377Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Fort Worth, TXThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s…Aug 21, 2021 · N1472E · Substantial damageNTSB ANC21LA073Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot’s unexpected encounter with supercooled liquid droplets (SLD), which resulted in a loss of control due to ice accumulation. Contributing to the accident were: (1) the pilot’s failure to maintain the minimum airspeed for flight in icing conditions,…Aug 16, 2021 · N97HA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA292Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KYThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA110Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDassault FALCON900EX · San Diego, CAThe flight crew’s operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer’s specified weight and balance limitations and with an improper trim setting, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate during the attempted takeoff. Contributing to the…Feb 13, 2021 · N823RC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA185Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportVans RV 6 · Clovis, NMThe pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s aft center of gravity at the time of the accident.Jun 17, 2020 · N1407W · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Pineville, LAThe airplane’s inability to gain sufficient airspeed after takeoff due to it being at or over its maximum gross weight, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at or over its maximum…May 31, 2020 · N6461J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA159Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportGrumman G164 · Maxwell, CAThe pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the runway and collided with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight…May 29, 2020 · N9716 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA162Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportIai 1125 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, resulting in an attempted takeoff in excess of the airplane’s maximum allowable weight given it’s configuration and the temperature.Apr 24, 2020 · YV3427 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20TA031Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBeech 36 · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer's specified weight and balance limitations, which resulted in a failure of the airplane to become airborne, an aborted takeoff, and subsequent…Dec 6, 2019 · N408P · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19LA242Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIcon A5 · Lake, MIThe pilot's improper decision to operate the airplane in exceedance of the airplane manufacturer’s operating limitations, which led to an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue attempting the takeoff…Jul 27, 2019 · N663BA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA124Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Kerrville, TXThe pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow the one-engine inoperative checklist and maintain the airplane's minimum…Apr 22, 2019 · N501CE · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18TA374Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBeech 35 · Harrisville, MIThe pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in the loss of lateral control of the airplane and collision with trees at the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart with a center of gravity…Sep 1, 2018 · N5321E · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA238Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2 32 · Morrisville, VTThe pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the glider outside of its published weight…Aug 29, 2018 · N17970 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA237Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Descanso, CAThe pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,…Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA344Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Addison, TXThe pilot's improper flap setting for takeoff and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the overgross state of the airplane.Aug 18, 2018 · N893JA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA205Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177 · San Diego/El Cajon, CAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, which lead to the airplane's poor climb performance, and a subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.Jul 28, 2018 · N3477T · Substantial damageNTSB ANC18FA055Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Willow, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during departure climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center…Jul 19, 2018 · N9878R · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA194Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Qulin, MOThe pilot’s improper weight-and-balance calculations and his decision to take off with the airplane at a high gross weight in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an attempted takeoff that exceeded the airplane’s performance capability. Also…May 27, 2018 · N6180J · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA276Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Batavia, OHThe pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight due to his failure to perform preflight weight and balance calculations, which affected the airplane’s takeoff performance, and his subsequent decision to abort the takeoff with…May 8, 2018 · N377ES · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA119Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power…Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA077Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CAThe pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations before departing on the flight, which resulted in his operation of the helicopter outside of its published weight and balance limitations and a subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · DestroyedNTSB WPR18LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Skyforest, CAThe pilot’s failure to establish the proper airspeed after departure and to maintain adequate clearance from a ridgeline in high-density and downdraft conditions and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an…Jan 17, 2018 · N5562Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Oakland Park, FLThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.Dec 13, 2017 · C6RVT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA311Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Merritt Island, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper takeoff technique, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.Sep 3, 2017 · N544DG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA286Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402A · Shaw, MSThe pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff at high gross weight, in high density altitude conditions, and with insufficient runway length. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.Aug 21, 2017 · N247LA · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA347Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Watervliet, MIThe flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff over maximum gross weight from a turf runway in high density altitude conditions and the airplane’s inability to attain a climb rate and subsequent collision with trees.Jun 16, 2017 · N9404E · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S 2A · Sheboygan Falls, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power during a low-level aerobatic maneuver; the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine. Contributing to the…May 26, 2017 · N67PN · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA156Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8 · East Windsor, CTThe flying pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane at a slow airspeed, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilots' operation of the airplane over its maximum…Apr 18, 2017 · N8554Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA064Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Stevensville, MTThe pilot's decision to conduct a takeoff with a tailwind on an upsloping runway in an overweight airplane, which resulted in the airplane having insufficient energy to climb out of ground effect.Feb 23, 2017 · N3803J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Winder, GAThe flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning and operation of the airplane outside its center of gravity envelope, which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering.Feb 16, 2017 · N24695 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 100 · Jeffersonville, INThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, his decision to take off knowing the airplane was over its gross takeoff weight, and his failure to abort the takeoff after he realized that the airplane was not accelerating as expected, which resulted in a runway…Oct 30, 2016 · N411HA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Cedar Key, FLA partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve and the noncertificated pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being overloaded, both of which led to the airplane's inability to attain a positive climb rate.…Oct 19, 2016 · N1827Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA178Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NVThe pilot's decision to depart with the airplane loaded above its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to…Sep 12, 2016 · N821ET · DestroyedNTSB CEN16LA310Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Indianola, IAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · Destroyed