# NTSB investigations: Water

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 2 · 97 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA261.md): Kodiak Kodiak 100 · New York, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2026 · N726SH · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent collision with a large wave during touchdown on a river, which resulted in a subsequent bounce and hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC25LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA101.md): Cessna 180 · Willow, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2025 · N2996C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff from an unsuitable runway due to large puddles of water, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC24FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA032.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2024 · N95744 · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.
- [NTSB ERA24LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA171.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · South Kingstown, RI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 9, 2024 · N331EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN24LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA112.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2024 · N4054Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.
- [NTSB ANC23FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA056.md): Bell 206-L4 · Wainwright, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N311MH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude over a large body of water toward featureless terrain, which resulted in a loss of visual clues and controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA209.md): Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Oakland, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2022 · N281SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the low-altitude aerial application flight over water conditions that degraded his depth perception, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the water.
- [NTSB ERA22LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA043.md): Piper PA-28-236 · Orleans, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N2186U · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering over water in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB CEN22LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA015.md): Zuber Thomas P Zuber Super Drifter · Horseshoe Bay, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2021 · N70TZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor airspeed during a low-level turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the water.
- [NTSB CEN21LA447](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA447.md): Morgan Sport Copter Vortex · Kingsland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2021 · N924WG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s diverted attention which resulted in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with a lake.
- [NTSB WPR21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA021.md): Robinson R44 · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2020 · N500DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface.
- [NTSB CEN20LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA327.md): Grumman G164 · Alicia, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2020 · N8105K · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate maintenance of panel fasteners, which led to a side panel coming loose during takeoff and the pilot having to make a subsequent forced landing to a flooded rice field when the airplane became difficult to control.
- [NTSB CEN20LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA162.md): Cessna T210 · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Apr 28, 2020 · N210HH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN20LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA046.md): Cessna 150 · Shreveport, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 24, 2019 · N22931 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA19FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA266.md): Cessna 210 · Marathon, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N9436X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water.
- [NTSB ANC19LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA034.md): Cessna 172RG · Ocean City, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N9715B · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.
- [NTSB WPR19FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA178.md): Maule M7-235B · Sunriver, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 22, 2019 · N118G · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the separation of baffling in both mufflers. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the landing gear on the float-equipped airplane before performing a forced landing to the river.
- [NTSB GAA19CA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA108.md): De Havilland DHC 2 · Hollister, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2019 · N501J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to retract the amphibious float's landing gear wheels before landing on the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the after takeoff and before landing checklists.
- [NTSB CEN19FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA095.md): Bell 407 · Galliano, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 10, 2019 · N577AL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control during cruise flight as a result of spatial disorientation while operating the helicopter in close proximity to terrain in marginal meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19TA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA037.md): Scottish Series 100 MDL 101 · Lake Pleasant, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 17, 2018 · N82696 · Substantial damage
  > Impact with a lake for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR18FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA188.md): Hughes 369 · Majuro · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2018 · N8648F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the surface of the ocean.
- [NTSB ERA18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA140.md): Robinson R22 · Panama City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N923SM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly remove and secure the tie-down ropes during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the ropes becoming entangled in the rotor head swashplate and pitch control rods during flight and the subsequent loss of pitch control.
- [NTSB WPR18LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA107.md): Cubcrafters CC11-160 · Browns Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 2018 · N1951B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines.
- [NTSB WPR18CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA100.md): Hughes 369D · Pacific Ocean, Marshall Islands · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2018 · N501VS · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight mechanical malfunction with the helicopter, which necessitated a ditching in the ocean. The reason for the malfunction could be determined because the helicopter sank and was not recovered.
- [NTSB WPR18FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA063.md): Cessna 172M · Ogden, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2017 · N4395R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of three impairing medications.
- [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 ERA17LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA306.md): Kerr Gerald Velocity SUV · St. Petersburg, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2017 · N753GK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane’s speed and the distance remaining during landing and his improper decision to not abort the landing.
- [NTSB WPR17LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA176.md): Cessna 172S · Seattle, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2017 · N957TA · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt.
- [NTSB CEN17FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA281.md): Cessna 150F · Farmerville, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2017 · N8661S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the lake during a low-level maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA17LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA175.md): Mooney M20R · Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 2017 · N20835 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recovered.
- [NTSB ERA17LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA128.md): Piper PA28 · Tampa, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 2017 · N8447R · Substantial damage
  > A collapsed engine induction duct, which resulted in restricted air flow to the engine and a subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to ensure that the correct induction duct was installed.
- [NTSB ERA17LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA069.md): Beech A36 · Shoreham, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2016 · N69286 · Substantial damage
  > A fatigue crack of the crankshaft at the No. 4 main bearing journal.
- [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 GAA17CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA042.md): Cessna 152 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 17, 2016 · N46953 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA474](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA474.md): Cessna 180 · Yakutat, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2016 · N54AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate inspection of the off-airport landing area, which resulted in an encounter with standing water and a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR16LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA140.md): Piper PA 23-150 · Kona, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2016 · N3180P · Destroyed
  > The total loss of power in both engines during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean.
- [NTSB CEN16LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA254.md): Waco YMF-F5C · Austin, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2016 · N30AB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR16FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA072.md): Bell 206B · Honolulu, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2016 · N80918 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.
- [NTSB ANC16LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA005.md): Cessna 180 · Haines, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2015 · N4611U · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence and the pilot’s decision to continue the flight after realizing the remaining fuel quantity was near 0.
- [NTSB GAA16CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA020.md): Beech A36 · Jasper, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2015 · N4151Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and ditching the airplane in a lake.
- [NTSB GAA15CA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA222.md): Cessna A185F · Emily, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N23DE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear, which resulted in a gear down water landing and a nose over.
- [NTSB CEN15CA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA353.md): Ratte James Aventura II · Tyler, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N6356Z · Substantial damage
  > The loss of airplane control during a go around, which resulted in impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of seaplane rating and inexperience in the accident airplane.
- [NTSB GAA15LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA217.md): MD Helicopter 369E · Whitefish, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2015 · N43792 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and a level attitude while hovering over water at night during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor contacting the surface of the water.
- [NTSB CEN15LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA265.md): Bell 407 · Pecan Island, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2015 · N501PH · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN15FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA127.md): Eagleston John H Vans RV9A · Kingston, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2015 · N708JE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continuation of a banked turn following the loss of engine power, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an accelerated stall at low altitude. Contributing…
- [NTSB ERA15LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA091.md): Cessna 172M · South Bimini, Bahamas · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2014 · N12182 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, which resulted in a subsequent ditching in the ocean.
- [NTSB ERA14CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA262.md): Evolution Trikes Revo · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2014 · N9912S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR14FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA209.md): Kenneth A Berger Searey LSX · Electric City, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 2014 · N249PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during takeoff after encountering a boat wake, which resulted in the airplane bouncing, impacting the water’s surface, and subsequently becoming submerged.
- [NTSB ERA14IA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14IA237.md): Cessna 525 · Port Orange, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2014 · N300ET · Minor damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point during landing and his failure to go around when he recognized that he would not be able to stop the airplane on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR14LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA112.md): Weinzierl Searey · Stanwood, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2014 · N669DT · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while maneuvering at a low altitude over glassy water conditions, which adversely affected his depth perception.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/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", '03021020'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases

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