# Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) - Type: NTSB defining event - NTSB code: 120 - CICTT category: CFIT - Defining event in: 854 cases - In the sequence of: 1,074 cases - Fatal cases: 549 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/cases.md - Cases with it anywhere in the sequence: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120 ## Cases per year (defining / in the sequence) - 2008: 41 / 57 - 2009: 58 / 70 - 2010: 49 / 70 - 2011: 80 / 99 - 2012: 66 / 79 - 2013: 76 / 91 - 2014: 45 / 61 - 2015: 60 / 75 - 2016: 47 / 56 - 2017: 44 / 68 - 2018: 50 / 63 - 2019: 33 / 40 - 2020: 32 / 35 - 2021: 34 / 38 - 2022: 30 / 35 - 2023: 29 / 38 - 2024: 27 / 39 - 2025: 28 / 33 - 2026: 25 / 27 ## Phase of flight - Maneuvering: 188 cases - Enroute-cruise: 143 cases - Enroute: 119 cases - Approach: 73 cases - Approach-VFR pattern final: 71 cases - Initial climb: 66 cases - Approach-IFR final approach: 37 cases - Approach-VFR go-around: 28 cases - Enroute-descent: 28 cases - Enroute-climb to cruise: 23 cases ## In the probable cause of these cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 236 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 185 cases - [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 97 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 75 cases - [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 57 cases - [Descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040) (Aircraft): 57 cases - [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 49 cases - [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 42 cases - [Mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010) (Environmental issues): 41 cases - [Flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025) (Personnel issues): 41 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 12 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 11 cases - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 11 cases - [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 10 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 9 cases - [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 9 cases - [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22): 9 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 9 cases - [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300): 8 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 8 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB WPR27FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27FA014), Oct 11, 2026: Piper PA-18-150 (N927JS), Aeneas, WA, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB CEN26LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA324), Sep 23, 2026: Magni M16 (N109MG), Annapolis, MO, substantial damage, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ERA26LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA307), Aug 14, 2026: Piper PA-28-181 (N586MA), Altoona, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s descent below the glidepath and collision with trees during a missed approach. - [NTSB ERA26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA300), Aug 14, 2026: Waco Classic 2T-1A-2 (N621GL), Clermont, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach. - [NTSB WPR26LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA266), Jul 18, 2026: Maule M-4-180V (N489LA), Sapinero, CO, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ERA26FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA271), Jul 14, 2026: Smith Aerostar 601 (N800AA), Lake Clear, NY, destroyed, 3 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ERA26FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA266), Jul 10, 2026: Sikorsky S76 (N93RT), Huntersville, WV, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB WPR26LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA250), Jul 7, 2026: Aeronca 7AC (N1097E), Buffalo, WY, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB WPR26FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA232), Jun 24, 2026: Cessna 172 (N387AF), Willard, UT, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB WPR26LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA234), Jun 23, 2026: Piper PA-12 (N3013M), Dixie, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- 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.