# Fatal NTSB investigations, IA

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 6 · 268 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA267.md): Zenith Zodiak 601 HDS · Sioux City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 24, 2026 · N27601 · Destroyed
  > On July 24, 2026, about 1422 central daylight time, a Zenith Zodiac 601HDS experimental airplane, N27601, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Sioux City, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB ANC25FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25FA086.md): North American T-28B · Monticello, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 11, 2025 · N28XT · Substantial damage
  > On August 11, 2025, about 1505 Central daylight time, a North American T-28B airplane, N28XT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monticello, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB CEN24FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA287.md): Bell 206 · Nashua, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 29, 2024 · N94XA · Substantial damage
  > On July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB CEN23LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA342.md): Bell 206B · Denison, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N231RL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.
- [NTSB CEN23FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA059.md): Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C · Corning, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 5, 2022 · N99345 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstructions during a go-around, which resulted in impact with powerlines, a tree, and the ground.
- [NTSB CEN22FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA347.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Ute, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 30, 2022 · N501MW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inflight collision with a power line during aerial application.
- [NTSB CEN21FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA320.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Muscatine, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 14, 2021 · N2801T · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight under a thunderstorm, where he encountered reduced visibility due to heavy precipitation, resulting in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN21FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA299.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lamoni, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 1, 2021 · N123RE · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around after a bounced landing, which resulted in impact with terrain and a postimpact fire.
- [NTSB CEN21FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA207.md): Cessna T210M · Oxford, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 2, 2021 · N1215M · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s capability and his decision to attempt to takeoff from a field, which resulted in collision with a power pole/line and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA136.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.
- [NTSB CEN19FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA259.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Sumner, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N6113C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s impairment by medical conditions and/or medications, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA022.md): Piper PA28 · Guthrie Center, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 9, 2018 · N91770 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of an undetected crack in an engine exhaust muffler, which permitted entry of exhaust gasses into the cabin via the cabin heat system.
- [NTSB CEN18FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA060.md): X-Air XA85 · Oskaloosa, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2017 · N20XA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's low altitude flight into a power line due to his impairment from an acute physiologic event during the flight. Contributing to the pilot's impairment was his use of two sedating medications.
- [NTSB CEN17FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA249.md): Flight Design Ctsw · Monticello, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2017 · N62JN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly with his large dog in the two-seat, light sport airplane, and the dog's likely contact with the flight controls during landing, which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall when the…
- [NTSB CEN17FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA147.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Oxford, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2017 · N9179J · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot receiving instruction to recover from the practice stall before the airplane entered a spin and the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot receiving instruction and delayed remedial action to recover the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN16FA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA361.md): Piper PA 46-310P · Chariton, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2016 · N465JM · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN16LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA310.md): Piper PA-11 · Indianola, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.
- [NTSB CEN16LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA292.md): Air Tractor AT 402 · Sac City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2016 · N1016G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to circle over the field to identify hazards before beginning the aerial application.
- [NTSB CEN16FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA062.md): Piper PA46 500TP · Council Bluffs, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2015 · N145JR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while returning to the airport after becoming distracted by a noncritical flight instrumentation anomaly indication.
- [NTSB CEN15LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA344.md): Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT · Humboldt, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2015 · N315LK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN15FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA008.md): Piper PA46 · Dubuque, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2014 · N9126V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN14LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA487.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2014 · N699TQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.
- [NTSB CEN14LA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA424.md): Barger Steve M RV-7A · Russell, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2014 · N92BF · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and the subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN14LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA305.md): Bollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2014 · N108BC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to the in-flight separation of the propeller blades for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN13LA500](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA500.md): Cessna 206 · Brooklyn, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2013 · N2070K · Minor damage
  > The improper routing of the seatbelt, which resulted in the inadvertent deployment of the reserve parachute, and the open jump door, which allowed the passenger to be pulled from the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN13FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA122.md): Bell Helicopter 407 · Clear Lake, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2013 · N445MT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB CEN13FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA082.md): Beech P35 · Correctionville, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2012 · N1566Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to perform a go-around after encountering thick fog at night.
- [NTSB CEN13FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA078.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Clutier, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 2012 · N94973 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor, recognize, and identify obstacles on approach to landing, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s expectation and assumption that there were no above-ground…
- [NTSB CEN12LA602](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA602.md): Aero Vodochody L39C · Davenport, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2012 · N139GS · Destroyed
  > The loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.
- [NTSB CEN12LA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA453.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Britt, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2012 · N4843J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during an agricultural application operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distracted attention due to personal cell phone use during flight operations.
- [NTSB CEN12LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA340.md): Quicksilver Sport II · Manchester, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2012 · N4396H · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent aerodynamic stall while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN12LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA209.md): Walling Vans RV-3 · Larchwood, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2012 · N34WC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing.
- [NTSB CEN12LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA167.md): Crain Jac A BD-4 · Clarinda, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2012 · N215BD · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN11LA569](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA569.md): Fairchild M-62 · Madrid, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2011 · N53956 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level flight along a river, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN11FA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA507.md): Sikorsky UH-34D · Wilton, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2011 · N3880J · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate performance planning by the pilot that resulted in reduced climb capability while transitioning to an out-of-ground effect hover with a left pedal turn.
- [NTSB CEN11FA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA436.md): Ray Aerial Spraying 773 Racer · Ottumwa, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2011 · N773RY · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and ignition system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and extensive postaccident fire damage…
- [NTSB CEN11LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA066.md): Gearn Geary D Swearingen SX300 · Milford, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2010 · N3ZX · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN11FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA040.md): Beech 95-B55 (T42A) · Clarion, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2010 · N784CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN10LA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA514.md): Cessna 150L · Boone, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2010 · N10128 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing low-level banner towing operations with a gusting wind.
- [NTSB CEN10LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA401.md): Klemme William H Zenith CH 701 · Iowa Falls, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N701KC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the model of airplane.
- [NTSB CEN10FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA320.md): Beech A36 · Lidderdale, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6036U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to initiate the flight in marginal weather conditions and his loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB CEN10FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA119.md): Piper PA-31T · Forest City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2010 · N250TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during final approach.
- [NTSB CEN09LA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA527.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Corning, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2009 · N802LL · Destroyed
  > The in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the unpressurized airplane at an altitude requiring supplemental oxygen without having any oxygen available.
- [NTSB CEN09LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA409.md): Cessna 172 · Latimer, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2009 · N8138B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN09FA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA377.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Sanborn, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2009 · N7795N · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning and failure to refuel.
- [NTSB CHI08FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA150.md): Socata TBM 700 (850) · Iowa City, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2008 · N849MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to depart with a preexisting tailwind and failure to abort takeoff. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the failure to properly restrain (FAA-required) the child passenger.
- [NTSB CHI08LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA037.md): Padelt PG37-1 · Hampton, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2007 · N4448Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in the failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the power line.
- [NTSB CHI07LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA213.md): Air Tractor AT-402A · Laurel, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2007 · N203DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the upsloping terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI07FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA073.md): Cessna 340A · Council Bluffs, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2007 · N111SC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the presence of severe icing, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear.
- [NTSB CHI07LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA062.md): Hallburg Amphibian S21D · Grinnell, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2007 · N41RH · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot in command and the fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. An additional cause was the inadequate forced landing procedure. A contributing factor was the tailwind.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&state=IA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'IA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&state=IA

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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.
