# NTSB investigations: High density altitude

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 · 280 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA267.md): Rans S7 · Kemmerer, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N6133M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a take-off in high-density-altitude, gusting-crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing and subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR26LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA266.md): Maule M-4-180V · Creede, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N489LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s performance capabilities in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a forced landing.
- [NTSB DCA26LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA285.md): Leigh Aerosystems E100 · Douglas, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2026 · N1224E · Substantial damage
  > Degraded engine and propeller performance during hot and high-density altitude operations, which resulted in a high descent rate and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA283.md): Cessna 150F · Rigby, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2025 · N8047F · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a subsequent impact with a building.
- [NTSB WPR25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA271.md): Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2025 · N45254 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB WPR25LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA234.md): Cessna 182Q · Cashmere, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2025 · N759NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an aborted landing, while flying in tailwind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB WPR25LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA227.md): Hartline J Bon Hartline Kitfox III · Logan, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2025 · N422K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff in variable wind and high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB CEN25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA240.md): Cub Crafters CCK-1865 · La Garita, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2025 · N952SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
- [NTSB CEN25LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA231.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Lockport, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2025 · N8834H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate planning for the high density altitude conditions which resulted in reduced airplane performance, climb capability, and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA149.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Mojave, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2025 · N538EE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during climb out from an aborted landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA307.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Basin, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2024 · N233WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue performing a high-performance takeoff in a full throttle and low-rotor-rpm condition, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA298.md): Boeing A75L3 · Yacolt, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 6, 2024 · N53466 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain in moderately high density altitude conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA328.md): Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 900XP · Telluride, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2024 · N526FC · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff in a high-density altitude environment, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s failure to use…
- [NTSB WPR24LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA243.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N473E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s low-speed, high-power maneuvering in high density altitude and near maximum gross weight, which resulted in an uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN24LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA246.md): Air Tractor AT-402 · Helm, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N9185K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA244.md): Desert Fox 1 · Ellicott, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2024 · N10ZR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind and high density altitude which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the right main axle mount due to the poor weld.
- [NTSB WPR24FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA195.md): Luscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N37081 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA208.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Dalhart, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N9715T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight at a high density altitude, which degraded its climb performance and led an off airport landing.
- [NTSB ANC24LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA039.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Kailua-Kona, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 30, 2024 · N333PJ · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to implement the correct action for low rotor RPM recovery.
- [NTSB WPR24LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA148.md): Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox · Powell, WY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 10, 2024 · N605GK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s adjustment of the carburetor to an incorrect setting, which resulted in partial loss of engine power during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR24FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA014.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Williams, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2023 · N6192J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight airplane performance…
- [NTSB WPR23LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA338.md): Bell 212 · Balch Camp, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N873HL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate performance planning for the operation that resulted in an excessive gross weight for the operating conditions, leading to a loss of altitude during maneuvering and contact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB CEN23LA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA397.md): Titanium Auto Gyro Titanium Explorer · Falcon, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2023 · N467TE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed before becoming airborne, which resulted in an inability to climb out of ground effect and subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was high-density altitude.
- [NTSB WPR23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA334.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2023 · N6834W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command’s inadequate preflight planning for the high density altitude and relative humidity conditions and his failure to recognize the need to reject the takeoff, allowing the student pilot to execute an abnormally long takeoff roll and apply…
- [NTSB WPR23LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA329.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Kanab, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2023 · N33094 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA290.md): Beech 23 · Coolin, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N2362Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after takeoff, during high density altitude weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR23FA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA289.md): Cessna 177 · Gillette, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 29, 2023 · N3357T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to depart the high-density-altitude airport with the airplane at the maximum gross weight limit.
- [NTSB WPR23LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA282.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Elko, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N4149J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate airplane performance before taking off from a significantly shorter runway than originally planned for.
- [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 ERA23LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA284.md): Schweizer 269C · Macclenny, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2023 · N9WZ · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the landing gear dampers and main rotor elastomeric dampers, resulting in ground resonance during an unsuccessful takeoff attempt with the helicopter near its maximum gross weight for the density altitude.
- [NTSB WPR23LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA240.md): Cessna 140 · Cedar Mountain, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N2358V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart with a high density altitude, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN23LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA244.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Sturgis, SD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2023 · N290LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper timing to initiate beta mode with the propeller and his failure to maintain directional during the full load landing that resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience with…
- [NTSB CEN23FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA174.md): Pool Cessna R172 · Victor, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N15188 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance at the elevated density altitude…
- [NTSB ERA22FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA387.md): Sea & Sky Krucker Cygnet · Emily, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2022 · N505DB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s operation of the weight-shift control aircraft over its design gross weight and his decision to take off with the engine operating at less than the specified takeoff rpm, which resulted in degraded takeoff and climb performance. Contributing to…
- [NTSB WPR22LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA288.md): Piper PA-18-150 · McCarthy, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2022 · N82735 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff from an unimproved airstrip with a high density altitude which degraded its climb performance and led to a collision with vegetation off the end of the airstrip.
- [NTSB CEN22FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA317.md): Bell UH-1H · Chapelle, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 17, 2022 · N911SZ · Destroyed
  > The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the starter-generator input (zerol) gear which failed due to poor maintenance. Contributing to the accident was the unsuccessful autorotation complicated by the setting sun and high density altitude.
- [NTSB WPR22FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA148.md): Taylorcraft BL-65 · Counselor, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 9, 2022 · N24345 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control while maneuvering at a high-density altitude in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR22LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA116.md): Liberty Aerospace Liberty XL-2 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2022 · N552XL · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inability to climb during takeoff due to a degradation of engine performance due to high density altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR22FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA067.md): Vans RV6 · Show Low, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 22, 2021 · N6000Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an aborted landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR21LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA341.md): Robinson R44 · Camp Verde, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2021 · N544SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN21LA449](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA449.md): Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG · Granby, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2021 · N522LG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during landing in high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA319.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Panguitch, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2021 · N1651J · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inability to maintain altitude during the initial climb due to a degradation in the airplane’s performance due to high-density altitude conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to conduct preflight performance planning…
- [NTSB ERA21LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA313.md): Cessna 172 · Waxhaw, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2021 · N3090U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time to stop the airplane on the runway remaining. Contributing to the accident was the lack of airplane takeoff performance due to the pilot’s failure to assure that the carburetor heat control was in…
- [NTSB WPR21LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA345.md): Cessna 340 · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2021 · N419TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper pitch control during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent hard landing
- [NTSB CEN21LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA315.md): Cessna 421C · Longmont, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N66NC · Substantial damage
  > The loss of performance for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR21LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA255.md): Cessna 150 · Terreton, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2021 · N1972L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA249.md): Mooney M20F · Marion, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2021 · N9613M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper rotation during takeoff from a high-altitude airport and his failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper management of the turbocharger, which…
- [NTSB WPR21LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA239.md): Mooney M20J · West Glacier, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N5765N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate performance planning and decision to continue the takeoff which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA232.md): Kitfox Series 6 · Likely, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N617Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA227.md): Covey Tri Quickie · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N8054Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the reduced airplane performance due to high density…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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", '03031020'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases

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