# NTSB investigations: Ground equipment

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 · 52 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA285.md): Bell 206L-3 · Tuscumbia, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 29, 2026 · N29AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to keep the tail rotor clear of an obstacle while attempting to land.
- [NTSB ERA26LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA141.md): Cessna 180 · Charleston, WV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2026 · N2648Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a helicopter dolly during taxi.
- [NTSB WPR25LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA103.md): Amazon.Com Services MK30 · Pendleton, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 21, 2025 · N265PA · Substantial damage
  > The unmanned aircraft system’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA259.md): Bell 206L-3 · Thorntown, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N206WX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC24FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA038.md): Schweizer G-164B · Richvale, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2024 · N3629Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.
- [NTSB WPR24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA069.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Whitefish, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 23, 2023 · N43415 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the airport authorities to renew the airport closure NOTAM for the airport. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot’s inability to see the runway closure sign.
- [NTSB DCA24LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA034.md): Boeing 717 · Kahului, HI · Incident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2023 · N494HA · Minor damage
  > The captain did not verify that the tow tractor had exited the area in front of the airplane before taxiing for departure. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and the absence of an illuminated hazard beacon on the tow tractor, which reduced its…
- [NTSB ANC23LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA085.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Johnson River, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 16, 2023 · N297SH · No damage
  > The ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.
- [NTSB CEN23LA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA385.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206 · Hibbing, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2023 · N19BH · Substantial damage
  > The ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness…
- [NTSB CEN22LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA319.md): Schleicher ASW-19B · Elbert, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N53JC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misidentification of the runway during the visual approach which resulted in an off runway landing and impact with a trailer.
- [NTSB ERA22LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA145.md): Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 C-2 · Abingdon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2022 · N29VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter skids while landing on a dolly at night, which resulted in the skids becoming entangled with the dolly and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue as a result of the time the accident…
- [NTSB WPR22LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA018.md): Airbus A350 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2021 · N544AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground equipment during landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA205.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Ventura, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2021 · N87WF · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power, during cruise flight, due to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a forced landing to an open field where the airplane nosed over.
- [NTSB CEN20CA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA313.md): Robinson R44 · Dakota, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N570WH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a ground obstacle during a landing.
- [NTSB ERA20CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA260.md): Robinson R44 · Whitehall, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2020 · N350DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a known obstacle while landing from a hover.
- [NTSB ANC20CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA068.md): Robinson R44 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2020 · N878CB · Substantial damage
  > The crew leader's decision to throw a chainsaw bar into the moving arc of the main rotor blade.
- [NTSB CEN20CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA213.md): Piper PA18 · Cadillac, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2020 · N68EE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the float-equipped airplane after the float became caught on the trailer used for takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN20CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA158.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · El Campo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2020 · N419TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of a ground spray rig’s position and his incorrect belief that a runway incursion might occur, which resulted in the pilot attempting and then aborting a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB DCA20CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20CA077.md): Boeing 747 412 · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Feb 3, 2020 · N703CK · Substantial damage
  > An unavoidable collision with a garbage dumpster that had blown into the path of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB GAA19CA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA312.md): Cessna 172 · Nogalas, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N273EB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked fuel truck. Contributing to the accident were the student’s failure to follow company policy and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB GAA19CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA238.md): Aerospatiale AS350 · Sula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2019 · N350DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment, which resulted in a tail rotor blade impact.
- [NTSB GAA19CA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA209.md): Bell 206 · Big Pine, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2019 · N173MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while it was being reloaded with the rotors turning in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a rotor strike with ground equipment.
- [NTSB WPR19LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA010.md): Piper PA46 · Hurricane, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2018 · N413LL · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic’s failure to properly align the engine exhaust crossover pipe during replacement, and his supervisor’s failure to properly inspect the installation, which resulted in an in-flight fire and the loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA19CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA003.md): Cessna 152 · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 1, 2018 · N94658 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle while taxiing for departure.
- [NTSB GAA18CA573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA573.md): Hiller UH 12E · Frankfort, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2018 · N1349A · Substantial damage
  > The ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.
- [NTSB GAA18CA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA314.md): Schleicher ASW · Nephi, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2018 · N428US · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA307.md): Piper PA28 · Butler, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N95410 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB DCA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA074.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 19, 2017 · N740SW · No damage
  > The provisioning agent's lack of situational awareness while stepping from the airplane to the provisioning van. Contributing to the accident was the provisioning vans failed switch.
- [NTSB ANC17CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17CA041.md): Airbus AS350 · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N351SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a steel frame attached to a tracked drilling unit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to visually identify the steel frame during the reconnaissance process.
- [NTSB GAA17CA450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA450.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Dunlap, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2017 · N344MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to visually confirm that the helicopter was disconnected from hoses during refueling operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and ground crew’s misunderstanding of the hand signals.
- [NTSB GAA17CA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA321.md): Ag-Cat G 164 · Tulelake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2017 · N80083 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to perform a low altitude fly-by over ground equipment, which resulted in the airplane striking the equipment.
- [NTSB GAA17CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA072.md): Piper PA 28R · Payallup, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 11, 2016 · N9466K · Substantial damage
  > The airport’s failure to issue a NOTAM regarding the deployment of the traffic monitoring camera system before the accident, which resulted in the airplane striking the camera system during a short-field approach and landing.
- [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 GAA16CA439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA439.md): Bell 206 L4 · Broussard, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2016 · N7898X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in the helicopter sliding off the aft end of the transport dolly.
- [NTSB WPR16LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA159.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Weiser, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2016 · N23923 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to an internal catastrophic failure of the master rod crankpin bearing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA376.md): Cessna 182 · Stevensville, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2016 · N9928B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment during takeoff, which resulted in an impact with irrigation pipes, a loss of directional control, an impact with a fence, and a nose over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA009.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2015 · N779DZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the engine start sequence, which resulted in the helicopter sliding on a steel deck and impacting a crane. Contributing to the accident was the absence of traction material on the helicopter…
- [NTSB GAA15CA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA258.md): Airbus AS350 · Draper, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2015 · N253HP · Substantial damage
  > The ground recovery team member's failure to secure a rescue rope during the helicopter loading process in steep terrain, resulting in the rope fouling the helicopter's main rotor system.
- [NTSB WPR14LA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA346.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2014 · N758SW · Substantial damage
  > The disconnection of baggage carts that subsequently collided with the parked airplane following the tug driving over a dip in the roadway.
- [NTSB WPR14CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA319.md): Bell 206B · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 19, 2014 · N291SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from ground obstacles during takeoff which resulted in loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB WPR14CA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA280.md): Bell 47G · Gaston, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2014 · N684PC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter as a result of a hydraulic hose becoming entangled around the right skid.
- [NTSB ERA14CA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA240.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Norfolk, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2014 · N32002 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA039.md): Taylorcraft BC 65 · Fallston, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2013 · N52CW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing resulting in collision with equipment off the side of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's intentional landing on a closed runway with a tailwind.
- [NTSB WPR13CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA158.md): Cessna 172 · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 20, 2013 · N421ER · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.
- [NTSB ERA13LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA134.md): Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2 · Danville, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2013 · N481LF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a straight-in approach to the helipad, which resulted in the main rotor blade impacting a construction crane flag marker. Contributing to the accident was the erroneous information about the construction crane’s operation time…
- [NTSB CEN12CA647](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA647.md): Enstrom F-28A · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2012 · N194E · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's operation of the helicopter, which resulted in the tail boom's contact with the refueling pump.
- [NTSB ERA12CA416](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA416.md): Cessna 172M · Churchville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 15, 2012 · N73134 · Substantial damage
  > The tractor operator's failure to confirm the landing airplane's position before entering an active runway, which resulted in a ground collision.
- [NTSB CEN12FA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA321.md): Bell 206-L4 · (Gulf of Mexico) · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 28, 2012 · N7077F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while landing on an obstructed helipad, which resulted in a collision and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helipad owner to mark the helipad closed and the failure…
- [NTSB WPR11CA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA442.md): Air Creation Tanarg · Corvallis, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2011 · N5628K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while taking off with a gusting crosswind.
- [NTSB CEN11LA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA426.md): Piper PA-28-140 · New Philadelphia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2011 · N6980W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect identification of the wind direction before landing, which resulted in a tailwind landing and subsequent runway excursion.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/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", '03022050'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases

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