# NTSB investigations: Soft surface

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 6 · 264 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA246.md): Rotec Engineering Rally 3 · Hooker, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2026 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to an engine seizure for undetermined reasons because the wreckage was disposed of before it could be examined.
- [NTSB WPR26LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA221.md): Stoddard Hamilton Glastar · Summer Lake, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 15, 2026 · N399RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll.
- [NTSB CEN26LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA216.md): Cessna 182P · Northport, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2026 · N86289 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to resume taxiing on a turf runway that was unable to adequately support the airplane's weight, which resulted in the nose landing gear sinking into the soft ground and the propeller striking the terrain.
- [NTSB ERA26LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA157.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Mount Pleasant, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2026 · N778WT · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with uneven terrain during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with water.
- [NTSB CEN25LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA283.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Hartsburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2371V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip.
- [NTSB ANC25LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA056.md): Cessna 172H · Manokotak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2025 · N8085L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to recognize the wind direction, resulting in a tailwind landing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA251.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Elberta, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2025 · N3228B · Substantial damage
  > Pilot’s decision to take off from a wet and unmaintained field that was unsuitable for airplane operations, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA187.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Goudeau, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2025 · N216TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with soft terrain conditions during the landing which resulted in a loss of directional and a subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB ANC25LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA039.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D1 · Willow, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 18, 2025 · N44473 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent application of brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB CEN25LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA067.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Galveston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 31, 2024 · N441HQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during the takeoff from the helipad in high and gusting wind conditions, that resulted in the right skid extension embedding in the artificial turf, and a subsequent dynamic rollover sequence.
- [NTSB CEN25LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA046.md): Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator · Gilbert, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2024 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation to a swamp, that resulted in a rollover. Contributing to the pilot’s delayed egression from the gyroplane, was the lack of a restraint system cutting device.
- [NTSB ERA24LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA353.md): Gulfstream American AA-5B · Mohawk, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2024 · N4533F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in wet conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB ERA24LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA264.md): Vans RV6 · Townsend, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 14, 2024 · N298Z · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent encounter with rough or soft terrain during landing, resulting in a bent nose landing gear leg and subsequent nose over.
- [NTSB WPR24LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA165.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Rome, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N9853 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA151.md): Grumman G164 · Maxwell, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2024 · N6612Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to ascertain a proper touchdown point and late decision to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a subsequent collision with vegetation.
- [NTSB CEN24LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA176.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Watervliet, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2024 · N8618V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing roll on a soft turf runway.
- [NTSB ERA24LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA175.md): Haring Robert C Zenith CH601XLB · East Amherst, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 10, 2024 · N107RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and his decision to continue the takeoff from the soft turf runway.
- [NTSB WPR24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA098.md): Cessna 182A · Weippe, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 22, 2024 · N6323B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the oil filler cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a precautionary landing on the soft surface and subsequent nose over.
- [NTSB CEN24LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA103.md): Vans RV6 · Bremen, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N330RH · Substantial damage
  > The collapse of the nose landing gear after it contacted soft terrain during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC23LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA075.md): Cessna 185 · Healy, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2023 · N34VV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC23LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA067.md): Cessna U206F · Chinitna Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2023 · N1733R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN23LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA374.md): Cessna A188B · Bay Port, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N8075G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff from a soft wet runway with a quartering tailwind which resulted in a lack of climb performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA312.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Dixon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2023 · N50443 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control after striking an unidentified object during landing on an unimproved runway, and his subsequent use of excessive braking that resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR23LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA266.md): Piper PA-12 · Judith Gap, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N4135M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off on a soft field that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with a pole and terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA040.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2023 · N83330 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive braking during landing on a sand bar, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR23LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA180.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Ariel, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2023 · N6058D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB ERA23LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA211.md): Aeropilot S R O Legend 600 · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2023 · N600LD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse and subsequent noseover. Contributing was the rough condition of the runway, as described by the pilot, and his decision to operate from it.
- [NTSB WPR23LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA139.md): Fiedler Mark R PA-18 Replica · Sandy Valley, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2023 · N127MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an off airport precautionary landing on soft soil, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ERA23LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA012.md): Maule MX-7-160 · Northville, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2022 · N41510 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to depart from an area of wet sand, which resulted in a nose over during the attempted takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR22LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA220.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Auburn, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2022 · N944BC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of helicopter control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action while providing hover training which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB ANC22LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA037.md): Cessna A185E · Willow, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2022 · N1694M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ERA22LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA184.md): Piper J3C-65 · Bald Head Island, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 10, 2022 · N4693S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during landing on a soft surface.
- [NTSB CEN22LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA142.md): Cessna 140 · Kokomo, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 28, 2022 · N72831 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform the takeoff on the soft, wet, turf runway, with the tailwheel equipped airplane, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ERA21LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA375.md): American Legend AL3 · Andover Township, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2021 · N948FS · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's excessive asymmetrical application of the brakes, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC21LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA041.md): Piper PA-18-105 Special · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2021 · N154T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.
- [NTSB ERA21FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA194.md): Beech C23 · Middleburg, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 28, 2021 · N6009U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to depart from a soft grass runway with a tailwind, which resulted in an increased takeoff distance and subsequent impact with trees during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ANC21LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA034.md): Cessna 140 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 25, 2021 · N1685V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his excessive braking which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN21LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA182.md): Cessna 180 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 2, 2021 · N4802 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness, and his unintended landing on a soft unimproved dirt road, which resulted in a loss of directional control into soft ground and the airplane to subsequently nose over.
- [NTSB ANC21LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA017.md): Maule M-6-235 · Tyonek, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2021 · N56517 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane encountering deep snow and coming to rest inverted.
- [NTSB CEN21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA110.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Cushing, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N4540C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff from unsuitable terrain which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA060.md): Champion 7EC · Northhampton, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 29, 2020 · N9721N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during an off-airport landing on soft sand, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB CEN21LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA074.md): Zlin Savage Cub-S · Francis, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2020 · N9111 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for the landing, which resulted in a nose over when the airplane encountered soft sand during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC21LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA001.md): Douglas C54 · Yakataga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2020 · N96358 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ decision to land on a wet, soft runway, which resulted in the loss of braking action upon landing and a subsequent runway overrun and nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB ERA20LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA334.md): Cessna 140 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2020 · N89476 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart from a non-suitable surface, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff roll.
- [NTSB ANC20CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA094.md): Cessna 170 · Kiana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N3068A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to perform a takeoff from an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a loss of control and nose over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA254.md): Cessna 182 · Clearwater, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 22, 2020 · N9747H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch attitude during the soft-field landing roll, which resulted in the tail striking the runway.
- [NTSB CEN20CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA205.md): Cessna 172 · Lakeview, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N52794 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA20CA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA228.md): Thorp Thorp T 18 · Madisonville, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N70BZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a soft turf runway, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ERA20CA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA159.md): Aeronca 7AC · Enosburg, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 25, 2020 · N83216 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ERA20CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA156.md): Cessna 150 · Hamburg, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N150LF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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", '03023020'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases

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