# NTSB investigations: Sudden wind shift

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 · 114 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA213.md): Moose SR 2500 · Sonoma, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2026 · N135DS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN26LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA181.md): Hughes 369HS · Durango, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 7, 2026 · N926ES · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction and the pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR26LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA170.md): Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z · Elk Grove, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2026 · N355WC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to deflate the balloon during a static display in windy conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a building. Contributing to the accident was the proximity of the balloon from structures during a static…
- [NTSB ANC25LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA109.md): Piper PA-12 · Kotlik, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 16, 2025 · N3816M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in variable wind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC25LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA103.md): Piper PA-11 · Lake Louise, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2025 · N5025H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with gusting crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA235.md): Piper PA12 · Brush, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 2, 2025 · N7635H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while performing a touch and go landing.
- [NTSB CEN25LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA200.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Gibson, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2025 · N45113 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff due to an encounter with a sudden wind shift.
- [NTSB WPR25LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA168.md): Aeronca 7BCM · Port Townsend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2025 · N85311 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and inadequate compensation for shifting wind conditions which resulted in a veer off the runway and collision with a sign.
- [NTSB ANC25LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA041.md): Piper PA-18A 150 · Susitna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2025 · N1364C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with shifting winds during landing, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and altitude, and subsequent contact with water.
- [NTSB CEN25LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA153.md): Cessna 185 · Wausau, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 7, 2025 · N1526F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in shifting wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR25LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA038.md): Dehavilland DHC-6-300 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2024 · N241SA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR25LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA016.md): Lindstrand 80E · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2024 · N80029 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during landing, which resulted in the balloon’s envelope contacting powerlines.
- [NTSB WPR25LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA081.md): Cameron Balloons US ZL-70 · Rio Rancho, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2024 · N31010 · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from a tree during the landing approach due to a gusting wind shift.
- [NTSB ANC24LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA095.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2024 · N808PT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately compensate for shifting wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA344.md): Beech A36 · Cullman, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2024 · N718FG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart in an area of developing convective weather, which resulted in an unanticipated wind shift during the initial climb after takeoff, a loss of climb performance, and the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA153.md): Denzil Velarde MTO Sport · Tavernier, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 24, 2024 · N291AG · Substantial damage
  > The gyroplane’s encounter with a tailwind during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN23LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA275.md): Cessna 180A · Grand Prairie, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N889SL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the unexpected sudden wind shift.
- [NTSB ANC23FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA042.md): Cessna 180 · Shaktoolik, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 16, 2023 · N91361 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with gusting tailwind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a tree, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA300.md): Cessna 170B · Tracy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N2771C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll after encountering a wind gust.
- [NTSB WPR23LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA178.md): Universal Globe GC-1A · Belen, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 7, 2023 · N80892 · Destroyed
  > The airplane’s encounter with downdraft on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN23LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA177.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Longville, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 4, 2023 · N8210R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with an unexpected windshift, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN23FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA113.md): Beech B200 · Little Rock, AR · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2023 · N55PC · Destroyed
  > The loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the sudden wind shifts during the initial climb.
- [NTSB CEN23LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA006.md): Aerostar International S53A · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2022 · N9140F · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s inability to find a suitable landing area in a critical fuel situation and his decision to land on a highway, which resulted in the balloon impacting a bridge railing and terrain.
- [NTSB ANC22LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA027.md): Piper PA-20 · Chitina, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2022 · N7074K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the wing’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA135.md): Airplane Factory Sling LSA · Torrance, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2022 · N863SL · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s loss of airplane control during an aborted landing due to a wind shift, which resulted in an impact with a runway sign.
- [NTSB CEN22FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA064.md): Vans RV-4 · Walsenburg, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2021 · N456MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while intentionally maneuvering in a canyon at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to enter a canyon environment at a low altitude, and the sudden change in wind conditions…
- [NTSB WPR22LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA010.md): Richardson Andrew P RICHARDSON-75 · Alburquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2021 · N518UR · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.
- [NTSB CEN21LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA317.md): Cessna A185F · Blanco, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2021 · N1393F · Substantial damage
  > The unexpected change in wind speed and direction during the landing which resulted a runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN21LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA240.md): Air Tractor AT602 · Trumann, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2021 · N602NY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to review the weather conditions before the flight, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff due to a sudden change in wind direction and speed associated with an approaching thunderstorm.
- [NTSB CEN21LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA185.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Schaumburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 7, 2021 · N21175 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the rejected takeoff with a left quartering crosswind that shifted to a tailwind.
- [NTSB ERA20LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA338.md): Cessna 170 · Pottstown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2020 · N2772D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, shifting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC20CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA087.md): Piper PA22 · Lake Louise, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2020 · N3251Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN20CA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA350.md): Cessna 140 · Olustee, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2020 · N2207N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from the middle of the runway in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion.
- [NTSB ANC20CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA055.md): Cessna 182 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2020 · N8769T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC19TA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA055.md): Stinson 108 · Tyonek, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Final report · Sep 26, 2019 · N6533M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a short field takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA19CA551](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA551.md): Piper PA 12 · Healy, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 15, 2019 · N4315M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while taking off from water in shifting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC19TA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA037.md): Piper PA19 · Skwentna, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Final report · Jul 21, 2019 · N6PF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during a go-around and his failure to assess the wind conditions appropriately before a landing attempt.
- [NTSB WPR19TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA110.md): Kubicek BB100 · St. Helena, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 14, 2019 · N355WC · Minor damage
  > The balloon pilot's encounter with unforecasted wind, which resulted in his decision to land in unsuitable terrain and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the severity of passenger injury was the pilot’s failure to provide a proper safety briefing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA202.md): Piper PA 12 · Sisters, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 10, 2019 · N92798 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN18LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA220.md): Beech A23 · Sedalia, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2018 · N8775M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing rollout due to the unexpected wind shift, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA18CA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA321.md): Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2018 · N203KL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during a water landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA025.md): Champion 7GC · Gerlach, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N7589E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing roll in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA17CA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA468.md): Cessna 170 · Moab, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2017 · N1214D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to depart in unfavorable weather conditions, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR17LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA177.md): Air Tractor AT 802A · Wells, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2017 · N70LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a period of thermal activity, which led to a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA334.md): Piper PA28R · Geneva, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N32088 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper landing flare in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane landing on the left edge of the runway and impacting trees.
- [NTSB CEN17LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA219.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N590GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to control the helicopter's descent after encountering a sudden wind shift to a tailwind while performing a near maximum gross weight landing at a high density altitude.
- [NTSB GAA17CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA232.md): Cessna 172 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 11, 2017 · N92873 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB GAA17CA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA019.md): Piper PA18 · Hanna, WY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2016 · N4457Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in shifting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA16CA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA379.md): Jesse Saint/Troy Townsend/Etha CH-801 · Beaumont, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2016 · N801G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and a nose over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA292.md): Aeronca 7BCM · Rochester, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2016 · N1127N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a runway excursion, left main landing gear collapse, and a nose down. Contributing to the accident was the wind shift.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/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", '03034010'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases

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