# NTSB investigations: Weight/balance calculations 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. Page 1 of 3 · 111 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN26LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA317.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Natchez, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2026 · N7527L · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB ERA25LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA379.md): Mccaa Robert T Avid/Kitfox Flyer · Oakland, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2025 · N533SE · Substantial damage > 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 engine power management and landing flare, which resulted in a… - [NTSB ERA25LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA266.md): Cessna T337G · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2025 · N289 · Substantial damage > 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 pilot’s loading of the airplane beyond its maximum gross… - [NTSB ERA25LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA137.md): Beech A36TC · Lititz, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2025 · N347M · Destroyed > 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 an aerodynamic stall/mush condition at too low of an… - [NTSB CEN25LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA074.md): Cessna 560 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 27, 2024 · N753MB · Substantial damage > 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 snow-contaminated wings, resulting in a rejected takeoff at an airspeed… - [NTSB CEN24FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA028.md): Piper PA46 · McCook, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damage > 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 decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum… - [NTSB ERA24LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA007.md): Cirrus SR22 · Martinsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2023 · N253BC · Substantial damage > 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 take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, which… - [NTSB ERA24FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA001.md): Cessna 177RG · Lake Placid, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 1, 2023 · N545PZ · Substantial damage > 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, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. - [NTSB CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damage > 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.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · Destroyed > 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 maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,… - [NTSB ERA23LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA161.md): Piper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · Destroyed > 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 climbing above trees. - [NTSB ANC22LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA035.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Yakutat, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 24, 2022 · N703TH · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA22FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA218.md): Cessna 172 · Altha, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 3, 2022 · N6413B · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB CEN22LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA091.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Presidio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 30, 2021 · N8591W · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB ERA22FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA009.md): Cessna P210 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2021 · N128EE · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB CEN21FA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA377.md): Aeronca 7AC · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 21, 2021 · N1472E · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ANC21LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA073.md): Cessna 208 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 16, 2021 · N97HA · Substantial damage > The 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,… - [NTSB ERA21LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA292.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB WPR21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA110.md): Dassault FALCON900EX · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2021 · N823RC · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB WPR20CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA185.md): Vans RV 6 · Clovis, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2020 · N1407W · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB CEN20LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA199.md): Piper PA28 · Pineville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N6461J · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB WPR20CA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA159.md): Grumman G164 · Maxwell, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N9716 · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA20LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA162.md): Iai 1125 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 24, 2020 · YV3427 · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB CEN20TA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20TA031.md): Beech 36 · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Dec 6, 2019 · N408P · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB CEN19LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA242.md): Icon A5 · Lake, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N663BA · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB CEN19FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA124.md): Beech 58 · Kerrville, TX · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2019 · N501CE · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB CEN18TA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18TA374.md): Beech 35 · Harrisville, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Sep 1, 2018 · N5321E · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA18FA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA238.md): Schweizer SGS 2 32 · Morrisville, VT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2018 · N17970 · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB WPR18FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA237.md): Champion 7KCAB · Descanso, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damage > The 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,… - [NTSB CEN18LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA344.md): Cessna 172 · Addison, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N893JA · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB WPR18LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA205.md): Cessna 177 · San Diego/El Cajon, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2018 · N3477T · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB ANC18FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA055.md): De Havilland DHC-2 · Willow, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N9878R · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB GAA18CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA430.md): Robinson R44 · Okawville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB CEN18LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA194.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Qulin, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N6180J · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB GAA18CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA276.md): Cessna 172 · Batavia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 8, 2018 · N377ES · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB WPR18FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA119.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB WPR18FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · Destroyed > The 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. - [NTSB WPR18LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA069.md): Mooney M20E · Skyforest, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2018 · N5562Q · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA18LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA062.md): Piper PA32 · Oakland Park, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2017 · C6RVT · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB ERA17LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA311.md): Piper PA32R · Merritt Island, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2017 · N544DG · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB ERA17LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA286.md): Air Tractor AT 402A · Shaw, MS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2017 · N247LA · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA347.md): Aeronca 11AC · Watervliet, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2017 · N9404E · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB CEN17FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA197.md): Aerotek Pitts S 2A · Sheboygan Falls, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 26, 2017 · N67PN · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA17FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA156.md): Luscombe 8 · East Windsor, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2017 · N8554Y · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB WPR17LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA064.md): Beech A36TC · Stevensville, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2017 · N3803J · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB ERA17FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA106.md): Beech C23 · Winder, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2017 · N24695 · Substantial damage > The 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. - [NTSB CEN17LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA029.md): Beech 100 · Jeffersonville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2016 · N411HA · Substantial damage > The 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… - [NTSB ERA17LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA024.md): Cessna 172 · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2016 · N1827Y · Substantial damage > A 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.… - [NTSB WPR16FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA178.md): Piper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2016 · N821ET · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB CEN16LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA310.md): Piper PA-11 · Indianola, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · Destroyed > The 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. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?page=2 ## 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", '02061015')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases --- 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.