The U.S. FAA lists factors of aircraft upset in the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid^[1][2] as follows:

• Turbulence causes:
  • Clear air turbulence
  • Mountain wave turbulence
  • Windshear
  • Thunderstorms
  • Microbursts
  • Wake turbulence
  • Aircraft icing
• Systems anomalies:
  • Flight instruments
  • Autoflight systems
  • Flight control and other anomalies
• Pilot-Induced
  • Instrument cross-check
  • Adjusting attitude and power
  • Inattention
  • Distraction from primary cockpit duties
  • Vertigo or spatial disorientation
  • Pilot incapacitation
  • Improper use of airplane automation
  • Pilot techniques
  • Pilot induced oscillation avoidance and recovery
• Combination causes:
  • Swept-wing airplane fundamentals for pilots
  • Flight dynamics
  • Energy states
  • Load factor (flight mechanics)
  • Aerodynamic flight envelope
• Aerodynamic causes:
  • Angle of attack and stall
  • Camber
  • Control surface fundamentals
  • Spoiler-type devices
  • Trim
  • Lateral and directional aerodynamic considerations
  • Angle of sideslip
  • Wing dihedral effects
  • Pilot-commanded sideslip
  • Crossover speed
  • Static stability
  • Maneuvering in pitch
  • Mechanics of turning flight
  • Lateral and directional maneuvering
  • Flight at extremely low airspeeds
  • High-altitude factors
  • Stall
  • icing
  • Automation during high-altitude flight
  • Primary flight display airspeed indications
  • Human factors and high altitude upsets
• Additional considerations:
  • Multi-engine flame out
  • Core lock
  • Engine rollback
  • Flight at extremely high speeds
  • Defensive, aggressive maneuvers
  • Situation awareness
  • Startle factor
  • Negative G-force
  • Use of full control inputs
  • Counter-intuitive factors
  • Previous training in non-similar airplanes
  • Engine performance in upset situation
  • Post-upset conditions

• Aircraft upset

 This article incorporates public domain material from Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration.