# Tree(s)

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Physical environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0302) › [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030220) › Tree(s)
- NTSB code: 03022020
- Cases: 933
- In the probable cause: 273
- Fatal cases: 104
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 43 / 122
- 2009: 6 / 48
- 2010: 4 / 32
- 2011: 5 / 30
- 2012: 5 / 33
- 2013: 7 / 29
- 2014: 10 / 65
- 2015: 10 / 72
- 2016: 10 / 87
- 2017: 17 / 88
- 2018: 25 / 104
- 2019: 44 / 57
- 2020: 32 / 49
- 2021: 9 / 35
- 2022: 11 / 24
- 2023: 9 / 20
- 2024: 13 / 19
- 2025: 9 / 14
- 2026: 4 / 5

## Defining events in these cases

- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 142 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 114 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 109 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 99 cases
- [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 54 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 49 cases
- [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 45 cases
- [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 45 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 24 cases
- [Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191): 24 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 19 cases
- [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 16 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 14 cases
- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 14 cases
- [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65): 11 cases
- [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22): 11 cases
- [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 11 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 9 cases
- [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161): 9 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 9 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 322 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 143 cases
- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 135 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 127 cases
- [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 106 cases
- [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 92 cases
- [Descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040) (Aircraft): 77 cases
- [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 72 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 62 cases
- [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 51 cases

## Newest cases

- [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 WPR26LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA172), Apr 29, 2026: Bell 407 (N407BB), Young, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree stump during landing in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA134), Mar 20, 2026: Zlin Aviation Sro Savage CUB-S (N9111), Young, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during landing.
- [NTSB DCA26LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA159), Mar 17, 2026: Pyka Pelican Cargo (N136ZP), Summit Point, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inaccurate obstacle height entered into mission planning that resulted in the aircraft wing’s impact with a tree during descent, resulting resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN26LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA083), Jan 5, 2026: Cessna 150 (N101FA), Round Lake Park, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a soft-field takeoff and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB ANC25LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA108), Sep 17, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N7777D), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during takeoff, which resulted in a collision and ground loop. Contributing was the pilot’s selection of an unsuitable takeoff area.
- [NTSB ANC25LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA119), Sep 8, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N1869W), Eagle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from brush during landing.
- [NTSB ANC25LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA088), Aug 19, 2025: Cessna 180G (N4721U), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with tree-covered terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA312), Aug 9, 2025: Taylorcraft BC12 (N95356), Ozark, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree which resulted in the right wing impacting the tree and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB ANC25LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA106), Aug 6, 2025: Brian Turner Northern Explorer (N907BT), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during landing, which resulted in an impact with trees.

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.

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