# Wind

- Type: NTSB finding section
- Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › Wind
- NTSB code: 030340
- Cases: 3027
- In the probable cause: 1554
- Fatal cases: 178
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030340/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030340/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030340

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 216 / 253
- 2009: 100 / 190
- 2010: 69 / 163
- 2011: 50 / 170
- 2012: 69 / 166
- 2013: 64 / 151
- 2014: 58 / 185
- 2015: 66 / 141
- 2016: 67 / 191
- 2017: 50 / 209
- 2018: 57 / 183
- 2019: 98 / 152
- 2020: 94 / 126
- 2021: 71 / 144
- 2022: 67 / 128
- 2023: 104 / 147
- 2024: 108 / 145
- 2025: 93 / 122
- 2026: 53 / 61

## Findings

- [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): 1,201 cases, 572 in the probable cause
- [Crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): 1,014 cases, 480 in the probable cause
- [Tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): 594 cases, 289 in the probable cause
- [Downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): 178 cases, 99 in the probable cause
- [Sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): 114 cases, 69 in the probable cause
- [Variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): 113 cases, 44 in the probable cause
- [High wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): 112 cases, 76 in the probable cause
- [Wind, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): 110 cases, 61 in the probable cause
- [Windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): 90 cases, 68 in the probable cause
- [Dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): 38 cases, 25 in the probable cause
- [Updraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030): 14 cases, 6 in the probable cause
- [Microburst](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050): 10 cases, 7 in the probable cause

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 1,197 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 625 cases
- [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 233 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 134 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 109 cases
- [Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090): 104 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 77 cases
- [Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390): 64 cases
- [Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096): 52 cases
- [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 48 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 70 cases
- [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 49 cases
- [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 48 cases
- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 47 cases
- [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b): 39 cases
- [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180): 36 cases
- [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f): 34 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 31 cases
- [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 28 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 25 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 2,150 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 1,258 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 403 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 212 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 178 cases
- [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 176 cases
- [Crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030) (Aircraft): 163 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 131 cases
- [Delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025) (Personnel issues): 120 cases
- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 119 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA315), Sep 10, 2026: Progressive Aerodyne Searey (N80515), DeQuincy, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff after encountering a wind gust. Contributing to the accident was nearby convective activity.
- [NTSB CEN26LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA307), Aug 29, 2026: Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A) (N41362), Midland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA300), Aug 21, 2026: Cessna T206H (N464PM), Marble, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the final approach in variable and gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were localized wind effects associated with…
- [NTSB CEN26LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA297), Aug 17, 2026: Aeroprakt Manufacturing SP Zoo A22LS (N22FC), Searcy, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA26LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA339), Aug 6, 2026: Cessna 680 (N96HE), Statesville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a strong gusting crosswind.
- [NTSB WPR26LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA278), Jul 23, 2026: Neuberg Bill Glastar (N345PR), Wills Point, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a right crosswind, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA267), Jul 18, 2026: Rans S7 (N6133M), Kemmerer, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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 WPR26LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA261), Jul 14, 2026: Kitfox S7 STI (N323SF), Greenwater, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in variable wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA26LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA272), Jul 10, 2026: Cessna 170B (N1838C), Hartwell, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to compensate for the gusty and variable wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR26LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA259), Jul 7, 2026: Vans RV8 (N425GB), Monte Vista, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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