NTSB CAROL · Event
Event ERA20CA128
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
Factual narrative
According to local law enforcement, the pilot reported that, while performing aerial stunts for a local children's party. The airplane struck a tree and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to maneuver the airplane across the street before striking another tree and impacting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane after the accident confirmed flight control continuity and reported no anomalies with the flight controls.The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report or any other statement describing the circumstances surrounding the accident. The pilot reported that, while performing aerial stunts for a local children's party, the airplane struck a tree, and he then lost control of the airplane. He maneuvered the airplane over a street, and it struck another tree and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane after the accident confirmed flight control continuity and reported no anomalies with the flight controls. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2020_ERA20CA128.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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