# NTSB investigations: Vortex turbulence encountered 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 2 of 3 · 114 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB ANC93LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA129.md): Piper PA-18 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1993 · N91219 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper planning/decision, while on an approach to land behind another airplane. - [NTSB DEN93IA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93IA044.md): Boeing 737-522 · Denver, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 1993 · N905UA · No damage > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate separation from the Boeing 757, and his failure to stay above the probable path of the Boeing's wake vortices, which resulted in the vortex encounter. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind, and… - [NTSB SEA93GA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93GA041.md): Cessna 550 · Billings, MT · Accident · 8 fatal · Final report · Dec 18, 1992 · N6887Y · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command's failure to follow established vortex avoidance procedures, as published in the airman's information manual, to provide his own wake turbulence separation. - [NTSB LAX93LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA019.md): Cessna 310R · Saipan, Mauritius · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1992 · N5074J · Destroyed > The pilot not following wake turbulence (votex) avoidance procedures, which are detailed in FAA publications, resulting in the airplane encountering wake turbulence. Factors in this accident were: 1) the pilot's inability to control the airplane after… - [NTSB MIA93LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA011.md): Hunter Velocity · Apopka, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1992 · N141NH · Substantial damage > An encounter with wake turbulence from a Boeing 727. - [NTSB FTW92LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA117.md): Cessna 310P · Austin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 1992 · N5936M · Substantial damage > The approach controller's failure to properly sequence arriving traffic, and the tower controller's failure to sequence and separate landing traffic. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a landing clearance and the night light… - [NTSB CHI92IA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92IA030.md): Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 · Chicago, IL · Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1991 · N235RM · No damage > An inflight encounter with wake turbulence during cruise flight. - [NTSB DEN91LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA117.md): Piper PA-25-150 · Seagraves, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 1991 · N6261Z · Destroyed > The pilot's improper inflight planning which resulted in loss of aircraft control due to wake turbulence. - [NTSB SEA91LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA068.md): Cessna 140 · Pullman, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 1991 · N2455N · Substantial damage > The pilot's encounter with wake turbulence shortly before touchdown, resulting in a hard landing. - [NTSB SEA90LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA136.md): North American P-51 · Seattle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1990 · NX51VC · Substantial damage > An encounter with vortex turbulence while on final approach to landing. - [NTSB LAX90LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA205.md): Cessna 152 II · Rialto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 1990 · N49796 · Substantial damage > Pilot's inadequate visual outlook which resulted in an inflight encounter with wake turbulence produced by a hovering helicopter. - [NTSB ANC90FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA079.md): Cessna 195 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 1990 · N195ES · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to follow wake turbulence avoidance procedures. - [NTSB LAX90FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA002.md): Piper PA-28RT-201T · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 1989 · N3063T · Destroyed > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to follow wake turbulence avoidance procedures, which resulted in a vortex turbulence encounter. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's failure to assure the aircraft was loaded… - [NTSB LAX89LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA312.md): Cessna 152 · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1989 · N49697 · Substantial damage > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the student pilot. Contributing factors were the parked aircraft, hangar, and the student pilot's lack of total experience. - [NTSB LAX89LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA302.md): Cessna 180 · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1989 · N1739C · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper in-flight planning after being advised of possible wake turbulence. - [NTSB CHI89LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA116.md): Cessna 150 · Port Huron, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 1989 · N8752S · Destroyed > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the student pilot and his inadvertent encounter with wake turbulence from the transport aircraft. The student's lack of total experience was considered a contributing factor. - [NTSB ATL89FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA160.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Columbus, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 1989 · N6506L · Destroyed > The student pilot's improperly planned approach, and inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot (CFI), which led to an encounter with wake turbulence and a loss of aircraft control. - [NTSB CHI89LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA041.md): Cessna 152II · Grand Rapids, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1988 · N714XV · Destroyed > Pilot's total lack of experience in this type of operation. - [NTSB LAX89LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA052.md): Piper PA-28R-201T · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1988 · N4306M · Substantial damage > The pilot lost control of the aircraft while descending for landing and collided with a pole. The pilot stated that he was cleared to land behind a king air, on runway 16R. The pilot stated that about the time he descended to 50 feet AGL, near the threshold,… - [NTSB ATL89LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA038.md): Cessna 152F · Harkers Island, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1988 · N8225F · Destroyed > The plt rprtd he was orbiting over a school of fish at aprx 800' when he encountered wake turbulence from his own acft. He believed that a wider orbit would have prevented him from flying back into the wake & additional altitude would have provided more time… - [NTSB MIA89LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA022.md): Cessna 152 · Gainesville, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1988 · N6578B · Substantial damage > The plt taxied to rwy 6 & made an eng run-up. As he called the twr for tkof, a navy P-3 was making a low apch to rwy 10.the plt was told to taxi to rwy 10. Abt 30 sec later, as he arrived at rwy 10, he was clrd for tkof & was cautioned abt wake turbc fm the… - [NTSB ATL89MA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89MA023.md): Cessna 210D · Nashville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1988 · N3822Y · Destroyed > Drg west arr at ngt, plt was vctrd for a VFR, straight-in apch to rwy 2R & adzd of Boeing 727 off his rgt front, passingfm rgt to left. He was cautioned abt wake turbc (w/t) & replied, 'okay I see him.' Ctlr then told plt to turn inbnd & maint 'visual' with… - [NTSB LAX88IA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88IA295.md): Mcdonnell Douglas DC9-51 · Honolulu, HI · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1988 · N689HA · Minor damage > The aircrafts encounter with the engine exhaust flow and related turbulence from a heavy Boeing 747, which crossed the approach end of the runway about 1 minute and ten seconds prior to the incident. - [NTSB MKC88LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA064.md): Cessna 188B · Manter, KS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1988 · N21653 · Destroyed > While conducting a team aerial application operation, the trailing aircraft struck the terrain with the right wing tip, rotated in a flat attitude about 2 turns, and was destroyed by fire. The pilot said, while in a downwind procedure turnaround, into the… - [NTSB LAX88LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA099.md): Cessna 152 · El Toro, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1988 · N4914H · Destroyed > The student plt was practicing touch-&-go landings & was cleared for an apch behind a C-130. He stated that he noted the touchdown point of the C-130 & planned his apch to remain above the C-130'S flt path. However, just before landing, when the acft was at… - [NTSB DEN88LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA048.md): Rotorway Executive · Colorado Spring, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 1988 · N7007B · Destroyed > The plt contacted ground control & was cleared to taxi from a hangar on the south end of the arpt to a hangar on the north end via twy-a. twy-a was located 400' west & parallel to rwy 17/35. The plt said he was air taxiing the helicopter just above the… - [NTSB ANC88FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA019.md): Cessna 402B · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1987 · N969JW · Substantial damage > Drg arr in hvy traffic, reeve flt 726 (Boeing 727) & wilburs flt 304 (Cessna 402B, N969JW) recd radar adzys for visual apchs to rwys 6L & 6R, respectively. Subsequently, both flts were clrd to lnd. At 1555:04, the LCL twr ctlr transmitted that the wnd at the… - [NTSB DEN87DTG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87DTG02.md): Bell 47G-4A · Minot, ND · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 8, 1987 · N2238W · Substantial damage > The plt rprtd that when he took off fm a nrby nurse truck, the wind was fm the NE at 5 to 7 mph. He made an observation pass across the area to be treated, then bgn a dscndg rgt turn to make a swath run in the opposite drctn. He stated he was unaware of a… - [NTSB ATL87LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA211.md): Cessna 172M · Raleigh, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1987 · N80929 · Destroyed > The pilot was vectored for landing on runway 23R behind a Boeing 727. The approach controller advised the pilot that he could land on 23L if he preferred but the pilot elected to continue with the approach to 23R. The tower controller cleared the flight to… - [NTSB MIA87FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA098.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 1987 · N41531 · Substantial damage > The plt stated that he was on final approach & cleared to land long, when a 737 was cleared for an immediate takeoff and he was told to make s turns or whatever necessary. He slowed to land and when he was approximately 10 to 20 ft. in the air he encountered… - [NTSB LAX87LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA106.md): Cessna 170B · Plaster City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 1987 · N3441C · Substantial damage > During a local business flight the pilot was flying low, approximately 50 ft AGL, and slow with 30 degrees of flaps extended to take aerial photographs of a motorcyclist on the ground. Upon completing a 360 degree turn to the left, the aircraft flew through… - [NTSB MIA87LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA023.md): Cessna 421C · Tampa, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1986 · N37359 · Substantial damage > The flt had been cleared for a visual approach behind a Lockheed L-1011 aircraft and was warned to use caution against wake turbulence. The flight encountered the wake turbulence of the L-1011 at 1600 feet. Control could not be maintained and the aircraft… - [NTSB MIA87LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA018.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Ft. Pierce, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1986 · N8969C · Substantial damage > A USCG helicopter had landed on rwy 4 moments before the accident and had cleared the rwy. The helicopter had advised the acft on UNICOM frequency of his intent to land. The acft advised the helicopter that he had him in sight and would follow him in. The… - [NTSB FTW87LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA013.md): Cessna 182J · England Afb, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1986 · N2602F · Substantial damage > The plt was on an apch into England Afb, LA, behind a flt of 4 jet fighters. He stated that at aprx 200 ft past the threshold, while at about 3 ft AGL & 80 mph, the acft suddenly fell & touched down on the main gear. It then porpoised btn the main & nose gear… - [NTSB ANC87LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA004.md): Piper PA-18-150 · King Salmon, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 1986 · N1123 · Substantial damage > The pilot was cleared to taxi his airplane into position and to hold behind a cherokee six airplane. After the cherokee six departed, he was cleared for takeoff. Immediately after lift off at 10 to 15 feet above the runway, the pilot stated the airplane went… - [NTSB LAX86LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA263.md): North American AT-6D · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1986 · N29936 · Substantial damage > During an air show 3 North American, AT-6, acft took off in what the plt of the 3rd acft described as 'staggered' sequence. A witness described the departures as being 'information' or in 'close proximity' to each other. The first 2 acft gained altitude… - [NTSB LAX86FA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA221.md): Aerospatiale TB20 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1986 · N67TTB · Destroyed > While in the traffic pattern for rwy 16L the light acft plt was cautioned about possible wake turbulence from an arriving C-130 hercules acft landing on rwy 16R. The light acft plt acknowledged observing the C-130, which was above him. The C-130 landed on rwy… - [NTSB SEA86FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA047.md): Cessna TR182RG · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1986 · N2341S · Destroyed > The pilot was flying his Cessna TR182RG back to Reno cannon airport, a facility with a frequent mixture of light general aviation aircraft and heavy turbine air carrier operations. The pilot had acquired the majority of his terminal experience in and around… - [NTSB LAX86LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA072.md): Cessna 150L · Tucson, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1985 · N10882 · Substantial damage > After about a 45 min wait as the number one acft for departure, the controller informed the plt that he could expect an additional 3 min wait because of wake turbulence from a (large) EC-130 acft which was approaching for a touch & go landing. The plt elected… - [NTSB FTW85LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA298.md): Air Tractor AT301 · Bonita, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 1985 · N23257 · Substantial damage > The plt stated he was the second of two acft in a formation takeoff and he encountered severe wake turbulence from the other acft (same type). He stated that he dumped his load of chemicals but could not get above the pwr curve and the acft settled into a… - [NTSB CHI85LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA281.md): Cessna 152 · Rochester, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 1985 · N69037 · Substantial damage > The student pilot on first solo x-country was ld on the 7500 ft runway. Tower had cautioned on wake turbulance from departing DC-9. On flare sp said acft dropped in swerved left, cartwheeled and nosed down. - [NTSB CHI85LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA268.md): North American AT-6G · Dixon, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1985 · N29931 · Substantial damage > Reportedly, the plt made a touch-&-go landing while following an snj acft. He stated that during the takeoff, the acft had accelerated to 85 mph when he lowered the tail slightly & the acft lifted off normally. He reported that the acft was aprx 4 to 5 ft off… - [NTSB NYC85FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA145.md): Sikorsky S76A · Belmar, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 1985 · N176FJ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > During takeoff & landing practice for a pre-solo plt the CFI saw a helicopter, N176FJ, approaching the arpt. N4956B, at the time of 1st sighting, was on a left base for rwy 3. The rotorcraft apparently did not see N4956B or hear any radio calls at this… - [NTSB FTW85IA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85IA149.md): Beech A36 · Dfw Airport, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 1985 · N2057A · No damage > Drg arr, a Beech A36, N2057A, was vectored for an ILS rwy 17L apch while a hvy Boeing 747 was being vectored for an ILS rwy 18R apch. The ATC arrival controller (ctlr) stated he had 'staggered' the A36 bhnd the 747 with at least 3 mi sepn. After the A36 was… - [NTSB MIA85LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA111.md): Piper PA-32R · W. Palm Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 1985 · N120DG · Substantial damage > While en route, the plt contacted Palm Beach apch control & obtain flt following. He reported that he was 20 mi north & wished to proceed southbound along the coast. The controller acknowledged the request & advised the plt to remain VFR. The controller did… - [NTSB MIA85LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA006.md): Piper J3C-65 · Miles City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1984 · N35965 · Destroyed > According to the plt the acft became uncontrollable shortly after takeoff when it encountered rotor downwash generated by a departing helicopter. Initial impact occurred with a tree 200 ft left of the rwy. Post crash fire destroyed the wreckage. - [NTSB ATL85FID01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FID01.md): Cessna 172M · Norfolk, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 4, 1984 · N70554 · Substantial damage > The plt was making his landing apch behind a Boeing 727 and in front of a Boeing 737. Plt was requested by ATC to make a short apch but was also cautioned about wake turbulence. On final apch at aprx 50 ft AGL, N70554 rolled sharply into a 90 deg bank,… - [NTSB MKC84LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA222.md): Grumman G-164A · Stanford, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1984 · N8914H · Substantial damage > When the pilot made his first swath run he flew over a set of wires, on the return run he went under the wires. The pilot said he hit his own prop wash and rolled enough for the wing tip to contact the wire. - [NTSB ATL84LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA212.md): Cessna 172G · Grenada, MS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1984 · N4650L · Substantial damage > During arrival to an uncontrolled arpt, the plt made an apch while following about 1/4 mi behind a UH-1 helicopter. At that time, there was a quartering head wind at about 4 KTS. While on final apch at an alt of about 200 ft AGL, the Cessna 172 encountered… - [NTSB NYC84LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA217.md): Cessna 50M · Middletown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1984 · N704UL · Destroyed > The solo student plt was approaching the rwy to make a landing when the twr gave him go-around instructions due to an shorts 3-30 acft on final. During the go-around the student said he encountered wake turbulence. The acft cartwheeled and came to rest with… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=410&page=3 ## 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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 410) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=410&page=2 --- 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.