# NTSB investigations: Wake turbulence

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA165.md): Aeronca 7FC · Bend, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2026 · N7541B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the rotor wash from a nearby helicopter.
- [NTSB CEN25LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA132.md): Taylorcraft BC12 · Russellville, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 22, 2025 · N39158 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the U.S. Army helicopter pilots to yield the right-of-way to the landing airplane, which resulted in the airplane encountering wake turbulence emitted from the three departing U.S. Army helicopters, a subsequent loss of directional control, and…
- [NTSB ANC25LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA020.md): Cessna 172M · Kapolei, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 20, 2025 · N19867 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to avoid wake turbulence from a heavy airplane departing from a parallel runway, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA041.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2024 · N828PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a commercial airliner which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA093.md): Cessna 180B · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2024 · N5275E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with wake turbulence, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR24LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA253.md): Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard MK IV · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2024 · N52494 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB WPR24LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA187.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Garrett, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N40561 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting low-level altitude operations, following an encounter with wake turbulence.
- [NTSB ERA24LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA212.md): Piper PA-20-135 · Georgetown, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2024 · N8290C · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent encounter with the rotor wash of a nearby hovering helicopter during landing, which resulted in a loss of control and a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR24LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA085.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik A S Harmony LSA · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N377YG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of airplane control due to wake turbulence resulting from the instructor pilot’s decision to continue the landing into a drifting wake vortex.
- [NTSB ERA23LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA353.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Hopkinsville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2023 · N8679V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with helicopter wake turbulence during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR23LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA146.md): Cessna 172M · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2023 · N1399U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a commercial airliner which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA018.md): Piper J3F-60 · Herlong, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2022 · N21486 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation during a formation flight, which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence, an aerodynamic stall, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA304.md): Arion Lightning · Indiana, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N326AL · Substantial damage
  > The airplane pilot’s inadvertent encounter with rotor wash/turbulence during short final approach, which resulted in a loss of control in flight.
- [NTSB WPR22LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA162.md): Cessna 182 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 21, 2022 · N182HH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient clearance from the jet blast of a departing jet airplane.
- [NTSB WPR22LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA072.md): Cessna 120 · Upland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 3, 2022 · N76646 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around as it encountered wake turbulence from a slow hover taxiing helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA22LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA089.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2021 · N162AM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s encounter with a wake vortex from a preceding airplane, which resulted in a roll upset at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ATC to issue a wake turbulence cautionary advisory.
- [NTSB CEN21FA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA426.md): Rans S20 · Wadsworth, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 18, 2021 · N6915G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart shortly after a landing helicopter, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s wake turbulence and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by his recent use of ethanol.
- [NTSB ANC20CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA034.md): Cessna 172 · Kahului, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 17, 2020 · N738DB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to avoid wake turbulence while landing behind a heavy jet airplane, which resulted in a loss of roll control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA266.md): Canadair CL600 2B16 · Lubbock, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N237QS · No damage
  > The unexpected wake turbulence encounter while climbing in smooth air to cruise, resulting in passenger injuries. Contributing to the accident was the passenger seat belt sign was off.
- [NTSB ANC18LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA072.md): Cessna 182 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2018 · N2571G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to avoid wake turbulence from a crossing heavy airplane.
- [NTSB DCA18CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA289.md): Boeing 737 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 11, 2018 · N950NN · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with wake turbulence.
- [NTSB WPR18FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA200.md): De Havilland DH112 Venom · Sheboygan, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2018 · N747J · Destroyed
  > The airplane's encounter with wake turbulence from the lead airplane in the formation flight, which resulted in a compressor stall and the airplane's subsequent inability to climb.
- [NTSB ERA18LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA002.md): Cessna 182 · San Juan, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2017 · N9021X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from helicopters during the approach for landing, resulting in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR17LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA186.md): Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK.58 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2017 · N338AX · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after flying through another airplane's jet wash during an air defense exercise.
- [NTSB GAA17CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA333.md): Swearingen SA227 TT · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 12, 2017 · N53DA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unstabilized approach after encountering wake turbulence, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR16FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA172.md): Beech A36 · Sparks, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2016 · N985CA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's selection of a landing runway which, given the wind and traffic conditions, was susceptible to high crosswinds and the translation of wake turbulence across its approach path, and the controller's and pilot's failure to ensure separation from the…
- [NTSB GAA16CA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA372.md): Bell OH 58 · Surprise, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2016 · N588MP · Substantial damage
  > While at a low altitude, the pilot's decision to do an abrupt descending right downwind turn which resulted in flying through his own vortices and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB DCA16CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA182.md): Boeing 737-932ER · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2016 · N801DZ · No damage
  > An encounter with wake turbulence that resulted in a flight attendant injury.
- [NTSB CEN15LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA069.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Fort Collins, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 2014 · N407ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to comprehend the significance of the wake turbulence that a preceding helicopter would generate during departure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of Federal…
- [NTSB CEN14CA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA455.md): Embraer S A ERJ170-200LR · Hemphill, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2014 · N421YX · No damage
  > The airplane's inadvertent encounter with wake turbulence during cruise flight, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
- [NTSB WPR14CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA166.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Kent, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2014 · N1394Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA147.md): Cessna 172D · Fairhope, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 2014 · N2755U · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation from a helicopter during the approach to landing, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s trailing vortices, a loss of airplane control, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA150.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Salisbury, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 8, 2014 · N4335T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's decision to continue the landing in close proximity to a landing helicopter, resulting in an encounter with rotor vortices, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14TA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14TA126.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 · Fort Carson, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jan 29, 2014 · N959DA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's loss of control after takeoff following a wake turbulence encounter from a preceding helicopter. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's misidentification of the helicopter type and a lack of Federal Aviation…
- [NTSB ERA13LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA366.md): Interstate S-1B1 · Lititz, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2013 · N46336 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to control the airplane’s pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to set the trim in accordance with the pretakeoff checklist and the…
- [NTSB CEN13FA438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA438.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Lake Michigan, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2013 · N1549X · Destroyed
  > An encounter with wake turbulence, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of control of the airplane and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the approach controller’s failure to issue a wake turbulence advisory to the pilot.
- [NTSB WPR13LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA233.md): Schweizer G-164D · Butte City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 2013 · N83110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an encounter with wake turbulence while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to extended hours of wakefulness and high workload.
- [NTSB CEN13TA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13TA113.md): Cessna 550 · Oklahoma City, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Dec 21, 2012 · N753CC · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew's decision to fly close behind a heavy airplane, which did not ensure there was adequate distance and time in order to avoid a wake turbulence encounter with the preceding heavy airplane’s wake vortex, which resulted in a loss of airplane…
- [NTSB CEN12CA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA403.md): Ayres S2R-G10 · Minden, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2012 · N3299Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wake turbulence from a previous pass.
- [NTSB ERA12LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA267.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Eastover, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2012 · N961JD · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate or loss of through bolt preload tension, which resulted in fretting between the engine halves, the subsequent failure of one cylinder through bolt, the loosening of additional cylinder retaining studs, and the fracture of the crankcase.…
- [NTSB ERA12LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA184.md): Mooney M20TN · Fayetteville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2012 · N118RZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation behind a large airplane during landing, which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR12FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA067.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2011 · N7850P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation behind a corporate jet, which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR10CA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA431.md): Hemmer MINI-MAX 1600R · Davis, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 8, 2010 · N71031 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with the wake turbulence of another aircraft.
- [NTSB WPR10CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA132.md): Leza Lockwood Air Cam · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 10, 2010 · N125AC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with the rotor downwash from a hovering heavy-lift helicopter.
- [NTSB WPR09IA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09IA128.md): Cessna 172H · Tucson, AZ · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2009 · N1408F · Minor damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate situational awareness while taxiing that led to an encounter with jet blast.
- [NTSB DFW08TA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08TA225.md): Diamond Aircraft Industries DA-20-C-1 · Pueblo, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 8, 2008 · N939DA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an encounter with wake turbulence from a preceding larger aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's failure to intervene.
- [NTSB NYC08TA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08TA130.md): Cessna 180 · Spartanburg, SC · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 11, 2008 · N1044Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's encounter with wake turbulence during approach as a result of his inadequate in-flight planning.

## 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", '03032025'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032025/cases

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