# NTSB investigations, 2020: Maneuvering

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 4 · 165 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN21LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA102.md): Hughes 369D · Tuckers Crossing, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 29, 2020 · N103SU · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control when the external saw contacted trees during an attempted emergency landing due to a main rotor transmission oil pressure warning. The reason that the pilot did not release the external saw from the helicopter during the…
- [NTSB ERA21LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA088.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Cleveland, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 27, 2020 · N5939D · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB CEN21LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA096.md): Express CT · Grand Prairie, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2020 · N772BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the departure turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA091.md): Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Aledo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 17, 2020 · N102JK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an upright spin into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA071.md): Anthony Mattioli AR-1 · San Mateo, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2020 · N11TG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA21LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA068.md): Beech V35A · Attalla, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2020 · N5470U · Destroyed
  > A loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.
- [NTSB CEN21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA084.md): Robinson R44 · Colorado City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 10, 2020 · N7085Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
- [NTSB CEN21LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2020 · N371MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA053.md): Beech V35 · Deltaville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 24, 2020 · N35AW · Destroyed
  > An uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain following an in-flight collision with seagulls.
- [NTSB ERA21LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA046.md): Robinson R44 · Austell, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 18, 2020 · N442JP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate clearance above the gravel surface in a hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA21WA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA173.md): Piper PA11 · Open Door, Argentina · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 17, 2020 · LV-YNN · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN21LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA062.md): Cessna 120 · Johnson City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2020 · N2376N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA058.md): Air Creation Tanarg · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2020 · N912U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA21WA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21WA064.md): Cessna 188 · Esperanza, Dominican Republic · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 15, 2020 · HI-923 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR21LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA061.md): Cessna 172 · Arch Cape, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 9, 2020 · N1444V · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR21LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA040.md): Schleicher ASW20C · Clayton, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2020 · N18MA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of both pilots of each glider to see an avoid one another while maneuvering, which resulted in a mid-air collision.
- [NTSB CEN21LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA047.md): Ercoupe 415 · Ardmore, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2020 · N331BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with 3 persons in a 2-place airplane and over maximum gross weight, and his failure to apply carburetor heat when the airplane’s engine experienced carburetor ice and a partial loss of power.
- [NTSB WPR21WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21WA036.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Kirkwood, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 31, 2020 · ZS-MAD · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA026.md): Grumman AA5 · Woodbranch, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N26136 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA21LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA028.md): Bell 206 · Point Lookout, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N716VL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight, and to continue that flight into forecasted and deteriorating instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) in a helicopter that was not equipped for flight in IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s…
- [NTSB CEN21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2020 · N31136 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA021.md): Robinson R44 · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2020 · N500DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface.
- [NTSB ERA21LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA020.md): Aero Commander 100 · Citra, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 14, 2020 · N631PF · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate preflight planning likely due to impairment from ethanol, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was his improper decision to depart from an unlit airstrip in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA21LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA014.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Rural Hall, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2020 · N227PF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and improper recovery from an unusual attitude, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN21LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA008.md): Stephens William E Quicksilver MXL-2 Sport · Mount Vernon, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2020 · N2942A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an…
- [NTSB ERA21WA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21WA033.md): ANG 01 · Peremoha, Ukraine · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Foreign · Oct 5, 2020 · UR-PNGD · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA050.md): Bellanca 1730 · San Saba, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2020 · N7333V · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21WA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21WA047.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Semera, Ethiopia · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 2, 2020 · ET-AYJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR21LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA008.md): Cessna 180 · Princeton, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N8678X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to enrichen the mixture, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN21LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA005.md): Air Tractor AT402 · Egypt, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N4540F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree limb during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ENG20LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG20LA046.md): Thrush S2R-H80 · Donalsonville, GA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2020 · N6216K · Minor damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a loose torque meter attachment nut in the reduction gearbox that jammed the planetary gearset causing the power turbine shaft to separate from the power turbine disk, resulting in the power turbine overspeeding and…
- [NTSB ERA20LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA335.md): Piper PA28 · Union, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2020 · N33859 · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the development of carburetor icing.
- [NTSB CEN20LA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA430.md): Piper PA46R-350T · Rogers, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2020 · N920X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent loss of aircraft control, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe during the spin recovery.
- [NTSB GAA20WA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA149.md): Cessna 182 · Minas City, Uruguay · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 24, 2020 · CX-AYE
- [NTSB CEN20LA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA417.md): Quicksilver Mxii · Killeen, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 24, 2020 · N9045Z · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to cold seizure for a reason that could not be determined, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA315.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N836MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions that affected the pilot’s ability to accurately assess terrain…
- [NTSB ERA20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA330.md): Piper PA25 · Floral City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N6106Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tree while flying towards the rising sun during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a collision with the tree and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA20LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA333.md): Ayres S2R · Jackson, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2020 · N3298M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor his fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA20LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA329.md): Cessna 182 · Lincolnton, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2020 · N2601Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN20LA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA407.md): Quicksilver MX II · Marengo, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in conditions conducive to carburetor icing without a carburetor heating system, contrary to the engine manufacturer’s guidance.
- [NTSB CEN20WA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA409.md): Pitts S1 · Kulmbach, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 20, 2020 · N25LM · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR20WA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA329.md): Robinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South Africa · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 19, 2020 · ZS-RKZ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN20LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA400.md): Safari S · Red Bud, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2020 · N60WD · Destroyed
  > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA330.md): Cessna 172 · Stanley, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N52700 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA389.md): Champion 8KCAB · Groton, SD · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N83DH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA20LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA316.md): Vans RV6 · Melbourne, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2020 · N196DJ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR20LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331.md): Bell 206 · Randle, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2020 · N91TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
- [NTSB ERA20LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA306.md): Thrush S2R-H80 · Hawkinsville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2020 · N30529 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.
- [NTSB ERA20CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA300.md): Cessna 182 · Millington, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2020 · N3707U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misidentification of a corn field for the destination airport’s runway, and a subsequent aerodynamic stall at low altitude while attempting to land.
- [NTSB ERA20LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA299.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2020 · N65645 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the Nos. 1 and 3 connecting rods from lack of lubrication.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450/cases.md?year=2020&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 year(c."eventDate") = 2020
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 450)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450/cases?year=2020

---
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.