# NTSB investigations: Wet/muddy terrain

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 · 110 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA194.md): Lockwood AIR CAM · Hutchinson, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2026 · N32F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN26LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA119.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Graford, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 19, 2026 · N940BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor speed during a practice autorotation to soft terrain which resulted in a loss of control and roll over.
- [NTSB CEN25LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA112.md): Cessna 172L · Romeo, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2025 · N7550G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the soft, wet grass.
- [NTSB CEN24LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA313.md): Grumman G164 · Dyess, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2024 · N6569 · Substantial damage
  > The improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN24LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA027.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2023 · N141CD · Substantial damage
  > A malfunction of the helicopter’s Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU)/Governor Controller for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to turn off the EMU/Governor Controller per the emergency checklist when the…
- [NTSB WPR23LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA151.md): Lowe Bruce Skystr Ktfx IV-1200 · Susanville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 5, 2023 · N1641E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s braking technique during an off airport precautionary landing on unforeseen soft terrain, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB CEN23LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA100.md): Cessna 152 · Denton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 5, 2023 · N5442B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
- [NTSB ANC22LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA042.md): Short Bros. & Harland SC7 · Chisana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2022 · N731E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA178.md): Cessna 140 · Estancia, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N76190 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable surface which resulted in his loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB WPR22LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA009.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Albany, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2021 · N98241 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN21LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA156.md): Cessna 170 · Poplar Bluff, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2021 · N9515A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to make a precautionary landing in a field that contained soft terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly without a printed VFR sectional chart to identify the…
- [NTSB WPR21LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA083.md): Cessna 170B · Palouse, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 8, 2021 · N4344B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.
- [NTSB CEN21LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA079.md): Hutson Star-Lite · San Antonio, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 1, 2020 · N322SL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land on a soft terrain which resulted in the failure of the nose landing gear.
- [NTSB CEN21LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA072.md): Grumman G164 · Elton, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 1, 2020 · N48594 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA182.md): Cessna 120 · Chatham, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2020 · N120MZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which forced her to perform a precautionary landing to a muddy field resulting in the airplane nosing over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA073.md): Stearman B75N1 · Vacaville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 22, 2020 · N14GC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over when the right wheel encountered mud.
- [NTSB CEN20LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA051.md): Enstrom F28 · Danbury, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 31, 2019 · N57SJ · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine's No.3 intake valve resulting is a loss of engine power and a rollover following the autorotation to soft ground.
- [NTSB GAA19CA562](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA562.md): De Havilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 · Kotzebue, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2019 · N67112 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff from water after the airplane impacted a submerged object, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for liftoff and led to the pilot steering the airplane toward a mud embankment to avoid rocks.
- [NTSB GAA19CA382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA382.md): Piper PA24 · Brunswick, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N8294P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly lean the fuel mixture in flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a subsequent total loss of engine power, and a forced landing with the landing gear retracted.
- [NTSB GAA19CA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA413.md): Cessna 152 · Clewiston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 23, 2019 · N5096L · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's maneuver to the left to avoid striking birds during takeoff and his subsequent loss of directional control after aborting the takeoff and landing on soft, muddy grass adjacent to the runway during, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN19LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA204.md): Waco YMF-5C · Bar Harbor, ME · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 22, 2019 · N63WC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a cylinder failure for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB GAA19CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA279.md): Guimbal Cabri · St. Louis, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N369PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's improper emergency procedure instruction to the student pilot, which resulted in the student improperly using the throttle to correct the loss of yaw control, which resulted in ground impact and a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA19CA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA259.md): Cessna 182 · Crossett, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 13, 2019 · N8448S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the runway centerline and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA19CA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA215.md): Kaminskas RTH Jungster 1 · Lebanon, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 15, 2019 · N3243 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR19CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19CA069.md): Champion 7GCBC · Townsend, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 16, 2019 · N822TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a precautionary landing on an uneven, soft surface.
- [NTSB GAA19CA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA075.md): Darren M. Vinelli Sopwith PUP · Rio Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 26, 2018 · N1916Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting tailwind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA567](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA567.md): Piper PA18 · St. Mary's, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2018 · N8192D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing area, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB CEN18LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA357.md): Grumman G164 · Opelousas, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2018 · N956X · Substantial damage
  > The loss of two securing bolts that allowed the left magneto to move around, which disrupted the spark timing and resulted in the engine losing total power.
- [NTSB CEN18LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA295.md): Vans RV7A · Princeton, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N20342 · Substantial damage
  > A flat nosewheel tire, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control on landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA371.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Hutchinson, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 20, 2018 · N3169D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA18CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA238.md): Stinson 108 · Spokane, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 28, 2018 · N35VM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA113.md): Fairchild Funk M62C F 23A · Columbia, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2018 · N1131Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent selection of the fuel selector handle to the off position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA17LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA281.md): Piper J3C · Green Creek, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2017 · N46286 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exhaustion of the fuel supply in the selected tank.
- [NTSB GAA17CA501](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA501.md): Piper PA18 · Tyonek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2017 · N7678D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s use of excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN17LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA205.md): Amstutz Curtis J BD-5B · Portland, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 2017 · N604KA · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the wiring between the engine control unit and the fuel injector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA17CA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA234.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Stafford, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2017 · N55067 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB ERA17CA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA137.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Cleveland, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2017 · N782JR · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a premature rotation for a no-flap takeoff and subsequent loss of airplane control during the initial climb.
- [NTSB GAA17CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA186.md): Cessna 172 · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 12, 2017 · N5440H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in quartering tailwind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA181.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 8, 2017 · N1230S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA156.md): Cessna 120 · Orange, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2017 · N77116 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA17CA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA114.md): Beech B200 · Coalinga, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2017 · N795DE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR17LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA048.md): Schosanski John H Cozy MK IV R · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 2017 · N4518S · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of power due to missing apex seals.
- [NTSB GAA17CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA044.md): Beech D18S · Deming, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2016 · N644B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [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 GAA17CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA010.md): Joe Salomone Super CUB SQ2 · Boca Reservoir, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2016 · N786AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the taxi on unsuitable muddy terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA17CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA003.md): Andrew Harold Stol CH 701 · Berryton, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 2, 2016 · N768HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA470](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA470.md): Cessna 182 · Diller, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2016 · N1928X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to go around after overshooting his intended touchdown point, which resulted in impact with farm equipment and terrain during an aborted landing attempt.
- [NTSB CEN16LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA314.md): Aero Commander S2R · Valley City, ND · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N5599X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA297.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Chireno, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2016 · N41407 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over during landing, and substantial damage to the tail boom.
- [NTSB GAA16CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA282.md): G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180 · Gerlach, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2016 · N45EH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a nose over.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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", '03021035'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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.