# Dust devil/whirlwind - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030340) › Dust devil/whirlwind - NTSB code: 03034060 - Cases: 38 - In the probable cause: 25 - Fatal cases: 3 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 4 / 4 - 2009: 2 / 2 - 2010: 3 / 3 - 2011: 1 / 1 - 2012: 1 / 1 - 2013: 3 / 3 - 2014: 0 / 2 - 2015: 0 / 2 - 2016: 0 / 1 - 2017: 0 / 2 - 2018: 1 / 2 - 2021: 0 / 2 - 2023: 6 / 6 - 2024: 1 / 3 - 2025: 2 / 2 - 2026: 1 / 2 ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 15 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 14 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 2 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 1 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases - [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 1 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 1 cases - [Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093): 1 cases - [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 1 cases - [Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b): 2 cases - [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a): 2 cases - [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a): 1 cases - [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b): 1 cases - [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181): 1 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 1 cases - [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328](https://openairdocs.org/model/fuhrmann-super-emeraude-stretched-sse-328): 1 cases - [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5): 1 cases - [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b): 1 cases - [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-2b): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 20 cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 17 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 5 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 5 cases - [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 4 cases - [Crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040) (Environmental issues): 2 cases - [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015) (Environmental issues): 1 cases ## Newest cases - [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 WPR26LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA168), Apr 21, 2026: Cessna 150H (N6762S), Española, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of of directional control during landing roll following an encounter with a dust devil. - [NTSB WPR25LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA185), Jun 20, 2025: Silvaire Luscombe 8A (N28545), San Andreas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing roll following an encounter with a dust devil. - [NTSB CEN25LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA155), Apr 11, 2025: Quicksilver MX II (UNREG), Brady, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in a loss of airplane control at a low altitude. - [NTSB WPR24LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA311), Sep 23, 2024: Cub Crafters CC11 (N30YC), Grand View, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during taxi. - [NTSB WPR24LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA279), Aug 17, 2024: Cessna 180A (N5216D), Boise, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions. - [NTSB WPR24FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA227), Jul 7, 2024: Fantasy Air Sro Allegro 2007 (N969RC), Eureka, UT, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN23LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA336), Jul 29, 2023: Air Tractor AT-402B (N402PR), Alta, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in a loss of lift, and subsequent collision with powerlines. - [NTSB WPR23LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA233), Jun 16, 2023: Cessna 170B (N8223A), Elko, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during takeoff. - [NTSB CEN23LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA228), May 31, 2023: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164 (N8405K), Saffell, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil after takeoff, which resulted in a loss of lift, and a subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the presence of a dust devil in the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.