# NTSB investigations: Debris/dirt/foreign object

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 · 101 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA187.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2026 · N806DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control due to a plastic foreign object jammed in the rudder pedals, while landing with a gusting left crosswind.
- [NTSB WPR26LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA015.md): Cessna 172S · Lathrop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2025 · N103VK · Substantial damage
  > An inflight collision with a bird.
- [NTSB WPR25LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA231.md): Gary Weaver CCK-1865 · Wahsatch, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2025 · N817GD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control following a collision with a boulder during an off airport precautionary landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA093.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Moab, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2025 · N3WL · Substantial damage
  > The inflight collision with debris during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN25LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA054.md): American AA-1B · Brenham, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 1, 2024 · N6242L · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to an obstructed induction system from a mud dauber nest.
- [NTSB WPR25LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA047.md): Cessna A185F · Lewistown, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2024 · N9533H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent impact with a rock during a landing on a grass strip.
- [NTSB CEN25LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA020.md): Starship Enterprise · Addison, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 17, 2024 · N903SC · Substantial damage
  > Foreign object debris damage to the ventral stabilizer.
- [NTSB CEN24LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA239.md): Thrush S2R · Hebron, ND · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2024 · N529KC · Substantial damage
  > Foreign object debris in the Negative Torque Sensing (NTS) system check valve, which impeded the flow of oil to the NTS system and the propeller governor (PG) reset piston, resulting in a total loss of engine power and an off-airport forced landing.…
- [NTSB CEN24LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA227.md): Beech D55 · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 11, 2024 · N321N · Substantial damage
  > The deflated right main landing gear tire due to a sidewall puncture made by an unknown object, which led to the pilot’s loss of directional control and the landing gear collapse during landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC24LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA040.md): Cessna 180H · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N91224 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC23LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA086.md): Cessna 182K · Trimble River Valley, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 24, 2023 · N2586R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the left main landing gear (MLG) tire impacting a rock, resulting in the separation of the MLG wheel, and the subsequent loss of directional control.
- [NTSB CEN22LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA328.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · Mount Vernon, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2022 · N228MT · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate securement of the cloth fire extinguisher cover, which resulted in it being blown off the fire extinguisher and ingested into the helicopter’s fenestron during the landing.
- [NTSB CEN22LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA329.md): Cessna 172M · Saint Joseph, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2022 · N9688Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to remain clear of obstacles while landing.
- [NTSB CEN22LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA308.md): Vans RV6 · Aurora, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2022 · N184CB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to foreign object debris blockage of engine air intake. The source of the debris could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA22LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA290.md): Schweizer 300 C · Boonville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2022 · N2158T · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter’s impact with a non-biological object, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade.
- [NTSB CEN22LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA228.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Allport, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2022 · N5007R · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from foreign object debris. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to follow the manufacturer’s required airframe fuel filter inspection interval.
- [NTSB WPR22LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA031.md): Bell 206L-3 · Covelo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 28, 2021 · N27TK · Substantial damage
  > A passenger’s unsecured object departed the cabin resulted in a collision with the tail rotor drive shaft.
- [NTSB ANC21LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA088.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2021 · N7MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and nose over.
- [NTSB ANC21LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA058.md): Maule M-5-210C · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2021 · N349X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impact with a log while dragging an off-airport landing site.
- [NTSB WPR21LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA304.md): Cessna 182C · Coeur D Alene, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2021 · N9007T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point due to excessive airspeed, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an object near the end of the runway.
- [NTSB ERA21LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA251.md): Piper PA-24 · Monticello, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2021 · N5779P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a failure of the right main landing gear tire on landing rollout, a subsequent loss of directional control, and landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB WPR21LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA183.md): MD Helicopters 369FF · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 5, 2021 · N6068S · Substantial damage
  > A tail rotor blade strike to an undetermined object while practicing approaches to unimproved terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA060.md): Piper PA22 · Salem, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 12, 2020 · N3535A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid an obstacle during his approach to land.
- [NTSB ANC20CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA097.md): Piper PA18 · Arctic Village, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2020 · N5779D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a rock damaging the empennage.
- [NTSB WPR20CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA284.md): Bell 205 · LaVerne, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2020 · N386HQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a go-around while landing in an unimproved area which resulted in a collision with debris.
- [NTSB CEN20CA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA334.md): Hughes 369 · Delia, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 5, 2020 · N104SU · Substantial damage
  > Foreign object damage sustained to the main rotor blades due to aerial tree trimming.
- [NTSB WPR20LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA246.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Elgin, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2020 · N8510M · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The trailing pilot’s failure to maintain separation from the lead airplane during a fire retardant deployment flight, which resulted in the trailing airplane flying through a plume of retardant and the trailing pilot’s subsequent loss of visibility that led…
- [NTSB CEN20LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA207.md): Icon A5 · Duluth, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2020 · N838BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to remove an object from the airplane’s exterior, which impacted the propeller blades when he applied full power, causing them to fracture and damage the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA19TA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA276.md): Beech 23 · Panama City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Sep 10, 2019 · N3555R · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to an obstructed fuel vent, and the flight instructor's failure to ensure that the student did an adequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA531](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA531.md): Robinson R44 · Nuiqsut, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2019 · N447PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.
- [NTSB ANC19TA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA044.md): Cessna 180 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Aug 12, 2019 · N91402 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and subequent impact with the island.
- [NTSB GAA19CA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA281.md): Cessna 340 · Carvers, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 3, 2019 · N5418M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to accurately assess the available runway for the takeoff, which resulted in impact with a gravel berm.
- [NTSB GAA19CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA066.md): Robinson R44 · Lihue, HI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2018 · N445KP · Substantial damage
  > The passenger’s improper decision to hold her cell phone outside the helicopter, which resulted in it departing the helicopter and striking the tail rotor.
- [NTSB WPR18LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA222.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Northport, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 14, 2018 · N397AS · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during a climb due to an accumulation of molten environmental particles, the source of which could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA489](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA489.md): Maule MX7 · Valdez, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2018 · N7ZV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN18LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA127.md): MX MXS · Fulton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2018 · N540JH · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft, which resulted in the pilot’s forced landing to an abandoned airport and the airplane’s subsequent impact with debris on the runway.
- [NTSB WPR18CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA048.md): Cessna 172P · Valley Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 14, 2017 · N54873 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering for landing and his decision to land on a surface with obstructions.
- [NTSB ERA18LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA044.md): Piper PA34 · Thomasville, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2017 · N8328V · Substantial damage
  > A stone becoming lodged in a left main landing gear (MLG) drag link, which resulted in the failure of the left MLG to extend and lock.
- [NTSB ERA18LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA026.md): Piper PA28 · Bladenboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2017 · N8758N · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the presence of an insect nest in the carburetor heat control box that prevented the pilot’s application of carburetor heat from restoring engine power.
- [NTSB GAA18CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA034.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 · La Paloma, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 26, 2017 · N22TZ · Substantial damage
  > The separation of a weight from the gunner’s net, which struck the helicopter’s main rotor blade during flight.
- [NTSB ANC17LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA042.md): Beech 19A · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2017 · N6523T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the right main landing (MLG) tire impacting a rock and the subsequent loss of directional control and collapse of the right MLG.
- [NTSB GAA17CA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA359.md): Cessna A188 · Salem, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N4877Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane contacting tall grass.
- [NTSB GAA17CA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA323.md): Air Tractor AT 802 · Prosser, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2017 · N802NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid hay bales during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB WPR17LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA094.md): Yakovlev YAK 52 · Porterville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 2017 · N132MD · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to contaminants in the fuel system that decreased the fuel flow, the source of which could not be determined.
- [NTSB GAA17CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA166.md): Piper PA28 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 27, 2017 · N309PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s incorrect control inputs while taking off with a known quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR17LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA030.md): Aero Commander 690 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2016 · N9175N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the runway excursion onto the rock-covered runway safety area.
- [NTSB GAA17CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA057.md): Piper PA18 · Mouth of The Big Susitna River, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 7, 2016 · N62744 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off with a gusting quartering tailwind and his subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB GAA16CA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA503.md): Cessna 185 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 22, 2016 · N5892T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize he was taking off with a tailwind and his inadequate compensation for taking off with a tailwind, which led to the airplane’s failure to attain a climb and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR16FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA166.md): Douglas TA-4K · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2016 · N140EM · Destroyed
  > Foreign object debris in the engine's main fuel control unit, which restricted fuel flow and subsequently resulted in the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the installation or addition of an extra seal during the main fuel control unit…
- [NTSB GAA16CA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA321.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Delhi, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 15, 2016 · N1002L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll as a result of a piece of concrete from the runway impacting the right main landing gear brake during the landing roll, resulting in a right brake failure and a ground loop.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/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", '03022055'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases

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