# Object/animal/substance - Type: NTSB finding section - Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Physical environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0302) › Object/animal/substance - NTSB code: 030220 - Cases: 3471 - In the probable cause: 1660 - Fatal cases: 331 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030220/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030220/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030220 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 148 / 319 - 2009: 63 / 188 - 2010: 66 / 164 - 2011: 49 / 116 - 2012: 55 / 132 - 2013: 62 / 156 - 2014: 60 / 233 - 2015: 55 / 224 - 2016: 87 / 279 - 2017: 131 / 319 - 2018: 126 / 315 - 2019: 208 / 253 - 2020: 121 / 158 - 2021: 74 / 140 - 2022: 81 / 126 - 2023: 79 / 115 - 2024: 95 / 115 - 2025: 68 / 81 - 2026: 32 / 38 ## Findings - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): 933 cases, 273 in the probable cause - [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): 588 cases, 383 in the probable cause - [Animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): 358 cases, 342 in the probable cause - [Fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): 313 cases, 81 in the probable cause - [Object/animal/substance, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): 224 cases, 80 in the probable cause - [Sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): 214 cases, 66 in the probable cause - [Pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): 142 cases, 53 in the probable cause - [Ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): 132 cases, 64 in the probable cause - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): 116 cases, 68 in the probable cause - [Runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): 106 cases, 36 in the probable cause - [Debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): 101 cases, 59 in the probable cause - [Snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): 67 cases, 26 in the probable cause - [Residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): 58 cases, 14 in the probable cause - [Tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): 55 cases, 35 in the probable cause - [Ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): 52 cases, 36 in the probable cause - [Airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): 50 cases, 22 in the probable cause - [Hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): 36 cases, 21 in the probable cause - [Wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): 29 cases, 11 in the probable cause - [Person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035): 17 cases, 15 in the probable cause - [Wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): 12 cases, 3 in the probable cause - [Water/moisture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022057): 10 cases, 5 in the probable cause - [Bridge/overpass](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022037): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 519 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 347 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 332 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 267 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 246 cases - [Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901): 205 cases - [Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200): 177 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 155 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 118 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 113 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 67 cases - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 63 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 58 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 52 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 52 cases - [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181): 46 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 43 cases - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 41 cases - [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161): 37 cases - [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 36 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 998 cases - [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 571 cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 566 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 455 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 451 cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 210 cases - [Descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040) (Aircraft): 194 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 159 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 155 cases - [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 145 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA26LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA293), Aug 5, 2026: Beech 58 (N29DA), Carlisle, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A collision with a deer during landing. - [NTSB CEN26LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA291), Aug 3, 2026: Vans RV8 (N412CV), Linden, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The collision with a deer during touch-and-go landings. - [NTSB CEN26LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA286), Aug 1, 2026: Cessna T188C (N9998J), Randolph, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low-level aerial application flight. - [NTSB ERA26LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA285), Jul 29, 2026: Bell 206L-3 (N29AE), Tuscumbia, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to keep the tail rotor clear of an obstacle while attempting to land. - [NTSB ERA26LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA299), Jul 24, 2026: Cessna 172 (N905KS), Lakeland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird while on approach. - [NTSB CEN26LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA289), Jul 18, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven 1 (N26EH), Scribner, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low-level altitude during an agricultural operation. - [NTSB CEN26LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA256), Jul 16, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N322TC), Coralville, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight. - [NTSB CEN26LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA252), Jul 13, 2026: Air Tractor AT802 (N808HB), Whiting, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna while maneuvering during a low-level aerial application flight. - [NTSB WPR26LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA220), Jun 11, 2026: Cessna 172S (N55231), Morgan Hill, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird. - [NTSB ERA26LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA234), Jun 8, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N144CD), Mayesville, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to remain clear of a power line during an aerial application flight. 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.