# NTSB investigations, KY: Takeoff

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 2 · 97 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA107.md): Cessna 560 · Danville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Feb 6, 2026 · N476JC · Substantial damage
  > On February 6, 2026, about 0925 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 560XL, N476JL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Danville, Kentucky. The two flight crew and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…
- [NTSB DCA26MA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26MA024.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Louisville, KY · Accident · 14 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Preliminary report · Nov 4, 2025 · N259UP · Destroyed
  > On November 4, 2025, about 1714 eastern standard time (EST), United Parcel Service (UPS) flight 2976, a Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) MD-11F airplane, N259UP, was destroyed after it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad…
- [NTSB ERA25LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA359.md): Edwin Miller Calidus · Hopkinsville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2025 · N4779M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane, which resulted in dynamic rollover and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA25LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA257.md): Yates Tom W Kitfox III · Greenville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2025 · N11TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA24LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA236.md): Robinson R44 · Gilbertsville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2024 · N220SW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to take off from sloping terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA387.md): Beech 200 · Henderson, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2023 · N313CT · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA23LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA199.md): Piper PA28 · Somerset, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2023 · N2448R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an airport navigation antenna.
- [NTSB ERA23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA002.md): Aeronca 7AC · Murray, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N3005E · Substantial damage
  > The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator cables by maintenance personnel and their subsequent failure to verify that the rigging was correct during post-maintenance checks and the pilot's inadequate preflight check.
- [NTSB ERA22LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA225.md): Cessna 182 · Owensboro, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2022 · N92913 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA331.md): Cessna 172R · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2021 · N62LU · Substantial damage
  > A loss of directional on takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA20CA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA240.md): Piper PA28R · Bardstown, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2020 · N3725T · Substantial damage
  > The commercial pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and subsequent loss of lateral bank control during a soft field takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA20CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA168.md): Dayton-Wright DH-4 · Bowling Green, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2020 · N32517 · Substantial damage
  > A primary control (aileron) system anomaly that progressively worsened during a test flight that resulted in a loss of control. The reason for the anomaly was not determined due to impact damage.
- [NTSB GAA19CA472](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA472.md): Cessna 172 · Mt. Sterling, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 28, 2019 · N9548W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway distance marker. Contributing to the accident was pilot’s failure to…
- [NTSB ERA19LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA109.md): Piper PA28 · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 26, 2019 · N2184X · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the magnetos due to a known deficiency, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with the applicable service bulletin.
- [NTSB GAA18CA532](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA532.md): Cessna 206 · London, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 4, 2018 · N230DE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind.
- [NTSB ERA18LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA158.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Warsaw, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2018 · N8698 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight performance planning, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB ERA17LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA297.md): Tukan Trike · Nicholasville, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA16LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA254.md): Buckeye Dream Machine · Hartford, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2016 · N3519T · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined and the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA16LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA212.md): Piper PA28RT · Taylorsville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N42JA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue a takeoff with a partial loss of engine power that occurred early in the takeoff roll. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident fire damage to the engine precluded…
- [NTSB GAA16CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA220.md): Cessna 172 · Richmond, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 6, 2016 · N89847 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with tree(s).
- [NTSB ERA15LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA134.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lexington, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2015 · N358CD · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly inspect and clean the engine ignition harness spark plug terminals, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during an attempted takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA253.md): Piper J3C - 65 · Hopkinsville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 22, 2014 · N46777 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to identify poor engine performance during the engine run-up before takeoff. Also causal to the accident was the mistimed right magneto and the poor condition of the spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder.
- [NTSB ERA13CA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA317.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Bronston, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2013 · N44293 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance due to density altitude, as well as the pilot’s decision to initiate the takeoff from…
- [NTSB ERA13LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA279.md): Cessna 172M · Louisville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2013 · N118JD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to set the correct flap position before takeoff and his inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the operation of the airplane over the maximum allowable gross weight, both of which led to an aerodynamic stall at too low an…
- [NTSB ERA12CA547](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA547.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 Tail Dragger · Elizabethtown, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2012 · N237TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during a takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off in gusty wind conditions associated with approaching…
- [NTSB ERA12CA516](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA516.md): Beech A23-19 · West Liberty, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2012 · N4746J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort a takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA12CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA392.md): Bowles Chris Kitfox 5 · Owenton, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2012 · N903XC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed during takeoff, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of previous experience in the…
- [NTSB ERA11CA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA313.md): Cessna 150M · Greenville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 20, 2011 · N68844 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control during takeoff after he reached to secure a seatbelt that was wedged in the passenger door.
- [NTSB ERA10CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA270.md): Healy RAF 2000 · Hopkinsville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 17, 2010 · N397MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s overcompensation for gusting wind conditions during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA10CA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA173.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1 · Mount Sterling, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 6, 2010 · N365DC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go.
- [NTSB NYC06CA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA116.md): Cessna 172S · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2006 · N642KM · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB IAD05LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA075.md): Hughes TH-55 · Paintsville, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2005 · N2KX · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadvertent encounter with ground resonance which resulted in destruction of the helicopter.
- [NTSB NYC04LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA221.md): Piper PA-30 · Cynthiana, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2004 · N888LC · Substantial damage
  > The inoperative left main landing gear brake check valve, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff.
- [NTSB IAD04CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04CA015.md): Waco ASO · Lexington, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2004 · N11253 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate remedial action to wake turbulence. A factor was the pilot's failure to recognize that the takeoff conditions were conducive to wake turbulence.
- [NTSB NYC04LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA078.md): Raven Industries Rally RX7 · Nicholasville, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2004 · N4110M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue the inadvertent flight in variable wind conditions, which resulted in an impact with power lines. Factors were the variable wind conditions and the unsuitable takeoff area.
- [NTSB NYC04LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA050.md): Cessna 208B · Covington, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · N9469B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in a decrease in airplane performance due to ice, and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB NYC03LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA090.md): Starnes Quickie Q-200 · Henderson, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2003 · N1V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control, after experiencing an in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB IAD03LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA031.md): Robinson R-44 · Russellville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2003 · N7184M · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB NYC01LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA124.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Elizabethtown, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 12, 2001 · N6899W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB NYC99LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA064.md): Boeing 757 · Covington, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 1999 · N682DA · Substantial damage
  > A flock birds were ingested into both engines, resulting in substantial damage to the engines.
- [NTSB NYC97LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA122.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Manchester, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1997 · N2111G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the high, wet grassy runway.
- [NTSB IAD96LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA102.md): Beech 65 · Campbellsville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1996 · N3870C · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his failure to remove the control lock, and his failure to abort the takeoff.
- [NTSB BFO96LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA028.md): Cessna 152 · Stanton, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1995 · N89188 · Substantial damage
  > was the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The student pilot's lack of experience was a related factor.
- [NTSB NYC95LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA117.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 1995 · N43786 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning which resulted in his failure to attain adequate airspeed for takeoff.
- [NTSB BFO94LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA162.md): Champion 7FC · Sacramento, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1994 · N7695E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance.
- [NTSB NYC93LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA096.md): Air & Space 18-A · Paducah, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1993 · N6126S · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate supervision by the flight instructor resulting in a loss of directional control while conducting a simulated emergency, and the subsequent collision with the terrain during a roll over.
- [NTSB ATL92IA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92IA030.md): Airbus Industrie A-310-200 · Covington, KY · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1991 · N803PA · No damage
  > The improper installation of the thrust reverser stow switch assembly by company maintenance personnel, which resulted in the erroneous illumination of the thrust reverser warning light.
- [NTSB BFO90LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA065.md): Robinson R22 · Paducah, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1990 · N9017S · Substantial damage
  > The loss of tail rotor thrust due to improper part installation.
- [NTSB ATL89IA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89IA063.md): Lake LA-4-200 · Silver Grove, KY · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1988 · N85020 · Minor damage
  > During a takeoff run from the Ohio river, the right sponson collided with a submerged log. The a/c sustained minor damage.
- [NTSB ATL88FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA174.md): Mooney M20F · Middlesboro, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 1988 · N9654M · Substantial damage
  > Witnesses rprted the eng did not sound like it was providing full power drg takeoff & that abt 3/4 of the 3600' rwy was used for the takeoff roll. After lift-off, the acft climbed at a shallow angle to abt 250 to 300 ft AGL. It then entereda shallow left…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300/cases.md?state=KY&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
  crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
  current_codes AS (
    SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e."tier1Number" AS INTEGER) AS code,
      row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e."isDefiningEvent", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
    WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e."tier1Number" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
      AND (e."isDefiningEvent" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT "mKey" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE "isPre1982"))
  ),
  phases AS (
    SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
    FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
    UNION ALL
    SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o."phaseOfFlightCode", w.main
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o."phaseOfFlightCode"
    WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
  ),
  case_phases AS (
    SELECT p.*, c."eventDate", c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
    FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = p.case_mkey
    LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
    WHERE c."eventDate" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
  )
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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'KY' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 300)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300/cases?state=KY

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