Major NTSB investigations

88 cases where the first occurrence was “Loss of control - in flight”.

Cases per year

19822026
Major NTSB investigations per year, 1982–2026: 88 cases
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19837
19846
19854
19864
19878
19884
19894
19904
19915
19923
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Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c.\"investigationClass\" = 'Class 1' OR c.\"caseType\" = 'Major - Launch')
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 250)
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ANC07MA083Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKAn inadvertent aerodynamic stall resulting from the pilot's poor decision-making and inadequate planning and execution when he took off toward nearby rising terrain, in strong winds, under circumstances where his options for maneuvering were severely limited…Aug 17, 2007 · N345KA · DestroyedNTSB NYC07MA073Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · Princeville, HIThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten (torque) the flight control servo lower attachment clevis, and reinstall a functioning lock washer, which resulted in a flight control disconnect and a complete loss of helicopter control. Contributing…Mar 9, 2007 · N354NT · Substantial damageNTSB LAX07MA069Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the second pilots inadequate preflight, failure to properly secure the front baggage door, and the front…Jan 12, 2007 · N77215 · DestroyedNTSB NYC06MA005Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAugusta 109E · Smethport, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were, night instrument meteorological conditions, pilot workload, and improper air traffic control procedures by the approach controller.Oct 8, 2005 · N7YL · DestroyedNTSB SEA05MA202Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A II · Edmonds, WALoss of control for an undetermined reason during maneuvering flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.Sep 30, 2005 · N655GS · DestroyedNTSB IAD05MA078Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76C · New York, NYAn inadvertent encounter with a left quartering tailwind. Factors in the accident were settling with power, the high gross weight of the helicopter, and the crew's failure to accurately assess the winds in the area.Jun 17, 2005 · N317MY · Substantial damageNTSB DCA05MA037Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 560 · Pueblo, COthe flight crew's failure to effectively monitor and maintain airspeed and comply with procedures for deice boot activation on the approach, which caused an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover. Contributing to the accident was the Federal…Feb 16, 2005 · N500AT · DestroyedNTSB LAX04FA075Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportLearjet 24B · Helendale, CAA loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.Dec 23, 2003 · N600XJ · DestroyedNTSB DEN04MA015Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Cody, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to divert to an alternate airport, an inadvertent stall, and the snow and icing conditions.Oct 29, 2003 · N791FE · Substantial damageNTSB NYC03MA183Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Yarmouth, MAThe improper replacement of the forward elevator trim cable, and subsequent inadequate functional check of the maintenance performed, which resulted in a reversal of the elevator trim system and a loss of control in-flight. Factors were the flightcrew's…Aug 26, 2003 · N240CJ · DestroyedNTSB FTW03MA160Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Amarillo, TXthe flight crew's failure to align the airplane's ground track with the runway centerline before touchdown and the flight crew's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's…May 25, 2003 · N343SW · Substantial damageNTSB IAD03MA049Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSino-Swearingen SJ30-2 · Loma Alta, TXThe manufacturer's incomplete high-Mach design research, which resulted in the airplane becoming unstable and diverging into a lateral upset.Apr 26, 2003 · N138BF · DestroyedNTSB DCA03MA022Accident · 21 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 1900D · Charlotte, NCthe airplane's loss of pitch control during take-off. The loss of pitch control resulted from the incorrect rigging of the elevator system compounded by the airplane's aft center of gravity, which was substaintially aft of the certified aft limit.…Jan 8, 2003 · N233YV · DestroyedNTSB DCA03MA008Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech King Air 100 · Eveleth, MNThe flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.Oct 25, 2002 · N41BE · DestroyedNTSB DCA02MA003Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Dillingham, AKan in-flight loss of control resulting from upper surface ice contamination that the pilot-in-command failed to detect during his preflight inspection of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a preflight inspection requirement for CE-208…Oct 10, 2001 · N9530F · DestroyedNTSB SEA01MA163Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportKawasaki KV-107-II · Emigrant, MTThe loss of control during cruise/climb flight for undetermined reasons.Aug 31, 2001 · N186CH · DestroyedNTSB LAX01MA272Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350-B2 · Meadview, AZThe pilot’s loss of control of the helicopter for undetermined reasons.Aug 10, 2001 · N169PA · DestroyedNTSB CHI01MA006Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL600-2B16 · Wichita, KSthe pilot’s excessive takeoff rotation, during an aft center of gravity (c.g.) takeoff, a rearward migration of fuel during acceleration and takeoff and consequent shift in the airplane’s aft c.g. to aft of the aft c.g. limit, which caused the airplane to…Oct 10, 2000 · CFTBZ · DestroyedNTSB CHI99MA269Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Marine City, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall, inflight loss of contol, and collision with the ground.Jul 31, 1999 · N518DM · DestroyedNTSB NYC99MA178Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze, and the dark night.Jul 17, 1999 · N9253N · DestroyedNTSB LAX99MA251Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DM · Minden, NVThe pilot's excessive use of the elevator control during recovery from an inadvertently entered spin and/or spiral dive during which the glider exceeded the maximum permissible speed, which resulted in the overload failure of the wings at loadings beyond the…Jul 13, 1999 · N807BB · DestroyedNTSB CHI98MA260Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportNorth American NA-265-80 · Florence, KSthe pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, his improper in-flight decision to attempt aerobatics, and his loss of control of the airplane.Jul 18, 1998 · N547JL · DestroyedNTSB FTW98MA126Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 145-ER · Beaumont, TXThe first officer's improper use of the rudder when given a simulated engine failure on takeoff and the pilot-in-command's delayed remedial action which resulted in a loss of control. A factor was the first officer's lack of experience in the regional jet…Feb 11, 1998 · N14931 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC98MA008Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Barrow, AKThe pilot's disregard for lateral fuel loading limits, his improper removal of frost prior to takeoff, and the resulting inadvertent stall/spin. Factors involved in this accident were the improper asymmetrical fuel loading which reduced lateral aircraft…Nov 8, 1997 · N750GC · DestroyedNTSB DCA97MA059Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8-61 · Miami, FLThe airplane being misloaded to produce a more aft center of gravity and a correspondingly incorrect stabilizer trim setting that precipitated an extreme pitch-up at rotation, was (1) the failure of Fine Air to exercise operational control over the cargo…Aug 7, 1997 · N27UA · DestroyedNTSB DCA97MA049Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportAirbus Industrie A300B4-605R · West Palm Beach, FLThe flightcrew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during leveloff which led to an inadvertent stall, and their subsequent failure to use proper stall recovery techniques. A factor contributing to the accident was the flightcrew's failure to properly use…May 12, 1997 · N90070 · Minor damageNTSB DCA97MA017Accident · 29 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer EMB-120RT · Monroe, MIThe Federal Aviation Adminstration's (FAA) failure to establish adequate aircraft certification standards for flight in icing conditions, the FAA's failure to ensure that at Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial/FAA-approved procedure for the accident airplane's deice…Jan 9, 1997 · N265CA · DestroyedNTSB DCA97MA016Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8-63F · Narrows, VAthe inappropriate control inputs applied by the flying pilot during a stall recovery attempt, the failure of the nonflying pilot-in-command to recognize, address, and correct these inappropriate control inputs, and the failure of ABX to establish a formal…Dec 22, 1996 · N827AX · DestroyedNTSB SEA96MA079Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 177B · Cheyenne, WYthe pilot-in-command's improper decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions (including turbulence, gusty winds, and an advancing thunderstorm and associated precipitation) when the airplane was overweight and when the density altitude was…Apr 11, 1996 · N35207 · DestroyedNTSB DCA95MA006Accident · 15 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace Jetstream 3201 · Morrisville, NC1) the captain's improper assumption that an engine had failed, and 2) the captain's subsequent failure to follow approved procedures for engine failure, single-engine approach and go-around, and stall recovery. Contributing to the cause of the accident was…Dec 13, 1994 · N918AE · DestroyedNTSB DCA95MA001Accident · 68 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportATR ATR-72-212 · Roselawn, INthe loss of control, attributed to a sudden and unexpected aileron hinge moment reversal that occurred after a ridge of ice accreted beyond the deice boots while the airplane was in a holding pattern during which it intermittently encountered supercooled…Oct 31, 1994 · N401AM · DestroyedNTSB DCA94MA027Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportJetstream 4101 · Columbus, OH(1) An aerodynamic stall that occurred when the flightcrew allowed the airspeed to decay to stall speed following a very poorly planned and executed approach characterized by an absence of procedural discipline; (2) Improper pilot response to the stall…Jan 8, 1994 · N304UE · DestroyedNTSB CHI94MA032Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Greensburg, INan inadvertent stall by the pilot in command. Factors associated with the accident are the icing conditions and low ceilings.Nov 6, 1993 · N41010 · DestroyedNTSB DCA93RA060Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · ForeignDouglas DC-8-61 · Guantanamo Bay, CubaAug 18, 1993 · N814CK · DestroyedNTSB CHI93MA276Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Byers, KSThe captain's failure to adhere to the agreed upon flight test plan for ending the test maneuver at the onset of prestall stick shaker, and the flightcrew's failure to assure that all required switches were properly positioned for anti-spin chute deployment.…Jul 26, 1993 · CFCRJ · DestroyedNTSB FTW93MA143Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-120 RT · Pine Bluff, ARThe captain's failure to maintain professional cockpit discipline, his consequent inattention to flight instruments and ice accretion, and his selection of an improper autoflight vertical mode, all of which led to an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and a…Apr 29, 1993 · N24706 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA92MA131Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCASA 212 · Mayaguez, PRThe failure of the beta blocking device for undetermined reason(s), and the second-pilot's inadvertent activation of the power lever, or levers, aft of the flight idle position and into the beta range, resulting in a loss of airplane control.Jun 7, 1992 · N355CA · DestroyedNTSB DCA92MA025Accident · 27 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportFokker 28-4000 · Flushing, NYThe failure of the airline industry and the federal aviation administration to provide flightcrews with procedures, requirements, and criteria compatible with departure delays in conditions conducive to airframe icing and the decision by the flightcrew to…Mar 23, 1992 · N485US · DestroyedNTSB DCA92MA022Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-8-63 · Swanton, OHThe failure of the flightcrew to properly recognize or recover in a timely manner from the unusual aircraft attitude that resulted from the captain's apparent spatial disorientation, resulting from physiological factors and/or a failed attitude director…Feb 15, 1992 · N794AL · DestroyedNTSB NYC92FA053Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBeech 1900C · Block Island, RIThe instructor pilot's loss of altitude awareness and possible spatial disorientation, which resulted in the loss of control of the airplane at an altitude too low for recovery; and company management's lack of involvement in and oversight of its Beechcraft…Dec 29, 1991 · N811BE · DestroyedNTSB CHI91MA224Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 23 · Detroit, MIImproper preflight by the pilot, his failure to abort the takeoff while there was sufficient runway remaining, and his failure to assure that the aircraft attained sufficient airspeed for lift-off and climb. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's…Jul 23, 1991 · N959SC · DestroyedNTSB DCA91MA042Accident · 13 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech C99 · Birmingham, ALThe decision of the captain to initiate and continue an instrument approach into clearly identified thunderstorm activity, resulting in a loss of control of the airplane from which the flightcrew was unable to recover and subsequent collision with obstacles…Jul 10, 1991 · N7217L · DestroyedNTSB MIA91MA100Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Bronson, FLThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat before ascending above the freezing level in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), followed by his improper response to erroneous airspeed indications that resulted from blockage of the pitot tube by…Mar 17, 1991 · N9112K · DestroyedNTSB DCA91MA021Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-15 · Cleveland, OHThe failure of the flightcrew to detect and remove ice contamination on the airplane's wings, which was largely a result of a lack of appropriate response by the federal aviation administration, Douglas aircraft company, and ryan international airlines to the…Feb 17, 1991 · N565PC · DestroyedNTSB DCA90MA055Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Marana, AZImproper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, and his failure to use a checklist. Factors related to the accident were: the faa's inadequate surveillance of the operation, the faa's insufficient standards/requirements, the pilot's operation of the…Sep 20, 1990 · N320MJ · DestroyedNTSB CHI90MA162Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Lakeville, MIThe pilot's failure to use the airplane's ice protection equipment, which resulted in a performance loss due to induction icing, propeller icing, or both, while flying in convective instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at and above the freezing level.…Jun 26, 1990 · N315RC · DestroyedNTSB MKC90MA115Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Naylor, MOThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat before flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) above the freezing level, followed by his improper response to erroneous airspeed indications that resulted from blockage of the pitot tube by…May 27, 1990 · N22EK · DestroyedNTSB ATL90MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 23 · Ansonia, OHThe flight crew became incapacitated for undetermined reasons and lost control of the airplane.Jan 18, 1990 · N331DP · DestroyedNTSB DCA89MA076Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-300 · Grand Canyon, AZImproper pilot techniques and crew coordination during the landing attempt, bounce, and attempted go-around.Sep 27, 1989 · N75GC · DestroyedNTSB DEN89MA130Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Big Timber, MTFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff, due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Contributing factors were: dark night, pilot's visual perception, inadequate initial training of the pilot…Jun 2, 1989 · N76KM · Destroyed