# NTSB investigations: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)

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 6 of 18 · 856 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CEN18FA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA386.md): Cessna U206 · Rainy Pass, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2018 · N1738R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent entry into a box canyon and subsequent controlled flight into mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA263.md): Cessna A185 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N573BV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.
- [NTSB ERA18WA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA252.md): Beech C90 · Ipumirim County, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 15, 2018 · PR-RFB. · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BEECH C90 airplane that occurred on September 15, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB WPR18FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA260.md): Robert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2018 · N166LC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.
- [NTSB GAA18CA538](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA538.md): Avid Avid Magnum · Carrabassett Valley, ME · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N2137G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to initiate the flight in marginal visual flight rules over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological and downdraft conditions and the subsequent controlled flight into trees…
- [NTSB ERA18WA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA247.md): Beech 33 · Taquaraçu de Minas, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 1, 2018 · PT-OCB · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Beech 33 airplane that occurred on September 01, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB CEN18FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA359.md): Piper PA28R · Kaplan, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N7430J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a charted and illuminated television/radio tower.
- [NTSB WPR18FA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA245.md): Cessna P210 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N6500W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain an approach path that provided clearance from the terrain due to a visual illusion in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB CEN18FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA358.md): Beech B60 · Fort Walton Beach, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N1876L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain after misidentifying the destination airport during a period of restricted visibility due to weather.
- [NTSB GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506.md): Hughes 369 · Ridgeway, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N89ZC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB WPR18LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA241.md): Cessna 172 · Afton, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2018 · N5660J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance after an encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering in a valley with a high-density altitude, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA326.md): Cessna 525 · Payson City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2018 · N526CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional flight into his residence.
- [NTSB CEN18LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA226.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B · Arrey, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N6672Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hillside during an agricultural application flight while facing the sun.
- [NTSB CEN18FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA227.md): Cessna 172N · Rotan, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N734BS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's reckless decision to conduct low-level flight over a canyon, resulting in the airplane's impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18WA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18WA165.md): Cessna 208 · Njabini, Kenya · Accident · 10 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 5, 2018 · 5Y-CAC · Destroyed
  > On June 5, 2018, about 1705 local time, a Cessna 208, 5Y-CAC, collided into a mountain in the Aberdare mountain range near Njabini, Kenya. The 2 pilots and 8 passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned and operated by…
- [NTSB WPR18LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA151.md): Cessna 150M · Bainbridge Island, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2018 · N6AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his distraction by using the tablet for navigation, which resulted in his failure to detect that the airplane had entered a descent.
- [NTSB GAA18CA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA325.md): Cosentino Garey A Pegasus · Kingston, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N339PG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and the powered parachute’s subsequent impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN18FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA192.md): Beech D17S · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2018 · N79091 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18WA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA188.md): Cessna 208 · Tuzantan, Mexico · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 15, 2018 · UNKNOWN · Destroyed
  > On May 15, 2018, about 1300 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 208 airplane, N149CD, crashed in jungle terrain under unknown circumstances near Tuzantan, Mexico. The three occupants were fatally injured. The flight departure and destination were unknown.…
- [NTSB WPR18FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA141.md): Cessna 182G · Cascade, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N2377R · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC18FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N7061W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA139.md): Beech 76 · Julian, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2018 · N803FC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…
- [NTSB CEN18WA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA166.md): Ayres S2R · Morales, Guatemala · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · May 9, 2018 · TG-FDM · Destroyed
  > On May 9, 2018, about 1415 coordinated universal time, an Ayres Thrush S2R-T34 airplane TG-FDM, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near the municipality of Morales in Izabal Department of Guatemala. The pilot was fatally…
- [NTSB GAA18CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA347.md): Piper PA28 · Pine Spring, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N9494J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying over mountainous terrain in turbulent wind conditions at night, which resulted in a tree strike.
- [NTSB GAA18CA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA243.md): Cessna 310 · Gainesville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N2212A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path at night, which resulted in a tree strike.
- [NTSB GAA18CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249.md): Hughes 369 · Newark, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 29, 2018 · N175JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
- [NTSB WPR18LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA127.md): Yakovlev YAK 52 · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2018 · N2YK · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB ERA18WA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA130.md): Beech 58 · Tucuman, Argentina · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 10, 2018 · N6926Z · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR18FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA104.md): Piper PA 18-150 · La Center, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 2018 · N4511Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA18CA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA145.md): Piper PA28R · Milton-Freewater, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 28, 2018 · N323MQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s and flight instructor’s improper decision to enter a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain and their subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR18FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA095.md): Piper PA32R · Monticello, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2018 · C-GYGY · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued flight into a region of deteriorating ceiling and visibility conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain event.
- [NTSB CEN18WA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA103.md): Beech 95B55 · Saint Laurent La Roche, France · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 17, 2018 · N155PR · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA18WA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA217.md): Cessna A188 · La Vega, Dominican Republic · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 14, 2018 · N2451J · Substantial damage
  > The government of the Dominican Republic has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna A188B airplane that occurred on February 14, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Dominican Republic's…
- [NTSB CEN18LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA106.md): Schweizer 269D · Stockbridge, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2018 · N471RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while maneuvering the helicopter at a low altitude after departure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s distraction by the smoke in the cabin and the limited visible features in the…
- [NTSB ANC18FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA024.md): Mooney M20 · Chuckanut, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 2018 · N123JN · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a visual approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA095.md): Henderson Thorp T 18 · Troy, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2018 · N600HH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN18WA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA098.md): Robinson R44 · St Joachim de Courval, Canada · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 2, 2018 · C-GYMG · Destroyed
  > On February 2, 2018, about 0145 UTC, a Robinson R-44 helicopter, Canadian registry C-GYMG, owned and operated by a private operator, impacted in a field at St-Joachim-de-Courval, Quebec, Canada. A post impact fire ensued. The pilot and two passengers on board…
- [NTSB CEN18LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA082.md): Matheny Larry E Christavia MK 1 · Grand Detour, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 2018 · N746LM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN18WA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA081.md): Zodiac 601XL · Castellon, Spain · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jan 19, 2018 · EC-XKM · Destroyed
  > On January 19, 2018, about 0930 UTC, a Zodiac 601XL, Spanish registry EC-XKM, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted mountainous terrain in the municipality of La Pobla de Benifassa, Castellon, Spain. A postimpact fire ensued. The pilot was…
- [NTSB CEN18FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA078.md): Bell UH-1H · Raton, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2018 · N658H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC18FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA012.md): Cessna U206 · Maunaloa, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2017 · N732DF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions while conducting an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA069.md): Weaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.
- [NTSB GAA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA074.md): Cessna 172 · Bowie, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 30, 2017 · N474SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.
- [NTSB ERA18WA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA028.md): Cessna 208 · Ngorongoro, Tanzania · Accident · 11 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 15, 2017 · 5H-EGG · Substantial damage
  > On November 15, 2017, about 0805 coordinated universal time, Cessna 208B, Tanzanian registration 5H-EGG, operated by Coastal Aviation LTD., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The pilot and 10 passengers were fatally…
- [NTSB CEN18LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA025.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Larchwood, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2017 · N7085M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB WPR18CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA028.md): Still Michael J Titan T-51 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2017 · N651P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.
- [NTSB WPR18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA014.md): American AA 1A · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N9239L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid unmarked power lines during the approach to land.
- [NTSB CEN18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA014.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Gustavus, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2017 · N105MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disorientation while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern in dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below a normal approach path and a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN18FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA009.md): Cessna 182H · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N8338S · Substantial damage
  > Controlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR17FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA215.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Brinnon, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2017 · N9549W · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to completely and properly evaluate the student pilot's incorrectly- planned flight, and his failure to use all available resources to maintain situation awareness during the flight, which resulted in controlled flight into…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/cases.md?page=7

## 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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '120')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/cases?page=6

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