# NTSB investigations: Dust devil/whirlwind

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 CEN26LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA307.md): Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A) · Midland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2026 · N41362 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR26LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA168.md): Cessna 150H · Española, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 21, 2026 · N6762S · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Silvaire Luscombe 8A · San Andreas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2025 · N28545 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing roll following an encounter with a dust devil.
- [NTSB CEN25LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA155.md): Quicksilver MX II · Brady, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 11, 2025 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Cub Crafters CC11 · Grand View, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2024 · N30YC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during taxi.
- [NTSB WPR24LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA279.md): Cessna 180A · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2024 · N5216D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR24FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA227.md): Fantasy Air Sro Allegro 2007 · Eureka, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2024 · N969RC · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Alta, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 29, 2023 · N402PR · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Cessna 170B · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2023 · N8223A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN23LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA228.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164 · Saffell, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2023 · N8405K · Substantial damage
  > 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 airplane’s flight path.
- [NTSB WPR23LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA206.md): Cessna 140A · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N1126D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA171.md): Cessna 170B · Queen Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 29, 2023 · N2207D · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil after landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB WPR23LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA182.md): Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2B · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N774JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing in a dust devil.
- [NTSB WPR21LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA185.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Palm Gardens, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2021 · N972BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with a dust devil shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR21LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA180.md): Cessna 172 · Cuba, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2021 · N9127B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff after an encounter with a gusting wind, which resulted in a wing strike.
- [NTSB GAA18CA579](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA579.md): Piper PA28 · Porterville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N8172N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB WPR18LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA163.md): North Wing Pulse · Mountain Home, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 2018 · N62073 · Substantial damage
  > The hang glider's encounter with a developing vortex or dust devil while maneuvering during an airshow routine, which resulted in a loss of control at an altitude that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's preexisting and worsening…
- [NTSB GAA17CA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA250.md): North Wing Uum Sport X2-N · Boulder City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2017 · N366DN · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the weight-shift-control aircraft’s critical angle of attack and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and failure to maintain the proper airspeed after encountering localized turbulence during approach, which…
- [NTSB GAA17CA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA214.md): Ronald J Bender Baking Duce · Willcox, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 1, 2017 · N9898R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll after encountering a dirt devil.
- [NTSB GAA16CA464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA464.md): North American SNJ · Perris, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2016 · N7296C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to compensate for a dust devil during an aborted landing, which resulted in the left wing contacting the ground, a runway excursion, and the airplane coming to rest in a nose-down attitude.
- [NTSB GAA15CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA266.md): Schweizer G 164B · Paxton, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2015 · N3628Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.
- [NTSB GAA15CA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA024.md): David Shell Zenith CH701 · Fairfield, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 27, 2015 · N701VZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary off airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA399.md): Cessna 172N · Thermal, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 30, 2014 · N738TJ · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after an encounter with a dust devil.
- [NTSB WPR14CA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA344.md): Cessna 177 · Pine Bluffs, WY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 13, 2014 · N2830X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain aircraft control while landing.
- [NTSB CEN13CA494](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA494.md): Globe GC-1B · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2013 · N7BR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during the final approach due to an inadvertent encounter with a dust devil
- [NTSB CEN13LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA409.md): Flight Design Ctsw · Taos, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2013 · N424CT · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's unexpected encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in the loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN13CA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA234.md): Cessna 175A · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2013 · N6955E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control during taxi due to an inadvertent encounter with a dust devil.
- [NTSB CEN12LA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA386.md): Cessna 140A · Walnut Ridge, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2012 · N9497A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering a whirlwind or dust-devil during the landing flare.
- [NTSB CEN11CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA408.md): Cessna TU206G · Truth or Consequences, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 18, 2011 · N735JY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to control the airplane on take off.
- [NTSB WPR11CA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA024.md): Cessna 185 · Fort Thomas, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 22, 2010 · N5011X · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's encounter with a dust devil during landing rollout, which resulted in the pilot not being able to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB CEN10CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B · Blackstone, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N17H · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR10CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA360.md): Meyer MEYER-LEGACY · Burns, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2010 · N29MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, resulting in a loss of lateral and directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN09CA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA428.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Reydell, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2009 · N60023 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane when it unexpectedly encountered a whirlwind shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR09CA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA231.md): Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude Stretched · Peach Springs, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 8, 2009 · N11LF · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's encounter with turbulence after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN09CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA079.md): Piper PA18-150 · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2008 · N18338 · Substantial damage
  > Loss of directional control due to an encounter with a weather phenomena at rotation.
- [NTSB DFW08CA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA203.md): Collard Dragonfly · Big Sping, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2008 · N793TW · Substantial damage
  > Loss of aircraft control due to inadvertent penetration of a dust devil.
- [NTSB LAX08CA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA294.md): Air Creation Clipper 912 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2008 · N21721 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's encounter with a dust devil.
- [NTSB LAX08CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA079.md): Cessna 180H · Moab, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 18, 2008 · N180LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the unexpected dust devil.

## 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", '03034060'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases

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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.
