NTSB investigations, CA

56 cases where the defining event was Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, CA per year, 2008–2026: 56 cases
20084
20096
20105
20113
20124
20135
20142
20156
20162
20174
20181
20193
20203
20212
20222
20231
20243

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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"

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 WPR24LA221Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B19 · Running Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude toward rising terrain, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.Jul 1, 2024 · N6553R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA195Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.Jun 12, 2024 · N37081 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA094Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Valley Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and inadvertently entering a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.Feb 23, 2024 · N1611E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA258Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Revolt · Walter Springs, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in a wire strike and impact with terrain.Jul 17, 2022 · N258MH · DestroyedNTSB WPR22FA098Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell UH-1H · Coalinga, CAThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness for reasons that could not be determined given the available evidence, which led to controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter while ill and…Feb 17, 2022 · N72297 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA069Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Auburn, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.Dec 22, 2021 · N6280F · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 21, 2021 · N291KT · DestroyedNTSB WPR20LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Three Rivers, CAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.Sep 4, 2020 · N818S · DestroyedNTSB WPR20CA261Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Kernville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around, which resulted in an impact with terrain.Aug 8, 2020 · N327MN · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 140 · Sonora, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach for landing.Feb 6, 2020 · N9474A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang CJ6 · Porter Ranch, CAThe pilot’s continued flight into marginal visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Jun 15, 2019 · N269AG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.May 15, 2019 · N236AM · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20F · Diablo, CAThe student pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility night conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Feb 9, 2019 · N3270F · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe 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…May 11, 2018 · N803FC · DestroyedNTSB GAA17CA559Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Diego, CAThe airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing.Sep 27, 2017 · N9346G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA206Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Salinas, CAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a wire.Sep 17, 2017 · N3285T · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bolinas, CAThe non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.Sep 7, 2017 · N737QQ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Ramona, CAThe flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate clearance from terrain was maintained after performance of a simulated engine failure maneuver, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Feb 12, 2017 · N2179L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Upland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 22, 2016 · N6912C · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Altadena, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the loss of radio communications for a reason that could not be determined because of the…May 15, 2016 · N133BW · DestroyedNTSB WPR16LA028Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lancaster, CAThe flight instructor's failure to comply with published instrument approach procedures during an instrument approach in dark night, visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the controller's…Nov 13, 2015 · N78CR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P337G · Santa Paula, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.Aug 1, 2015 · N4CU · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech C23 · Long Beach, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering to land at night, which resulted in a collision with terrain/objects. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of oversight by ATC; failing to insure that the fully operational VASI…Jun 19, 2015 · N24022 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.May 21, 2015 · N1842F · DestroyedNTSB WPR15LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Redding, CAThe pilot's intentional descent into terrain.Apr 18, 2015 · N3535M · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert C. Hanson Pitts S2E · Lebec, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.Apr 14, 2015 · N75BH · DestroyedNTSB WPR14LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Rancho Cucamonga, CAThe loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.Jul 19, 2014 · N77942 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA177Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirplane Factory Ltd The Sling · Daggett, CAThe pilots’ failure to maintain clearance from terrain while operating in dark night, visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to enable the aural terrain warning system.Apr 30, 2014 · N511NG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Julian, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid clouds in mountainous terrain.Oct 9, 2013 · N7145U · DestroyedNTSB DCA13MA120Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 777-200ER · San Francisco, CAThe flight crew's mismanagement of the airplane's descent during the visual approach, the pilot flying's unintended deactivation of automatic airspeed control, the flight crew's inadequate monitoring of airspeed, and the flight crew's delayed execution of a…Jul 6, 2013 · HL7742 · DestroyedNTSB WPR13CA136Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Tracy, CAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during a climb.Mar 2, 2013 · N7193K · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA119Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Acton, CAThe pilot's decision to conduct a flight in dark night conditions with an illuminated cockpit light that degraded his visibility and his ability to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent while maneuvering, which resulted in controlled flight into…Feb 10, 2013 · N59518 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13CA084Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · Five Points, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a telephone pole during a low-level maneuver.Jan 3, 2013 · N14841 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Yosemite Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain situational awareness and sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain.Dec 17, 2012 · N9524M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36 · Panoche, CAThe pilot’s lack of situational awareness regarding the surrounding terrain while descending during dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Mar 15, 2012 · N364AB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12CA129Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Santa Clarita, CAThe pilot's delayed decision to abandon the landing attempt, which resulted in the airplane colliding with rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind.Mar 12, 2012 · N4143C · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12CA173Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLindstrand LBL180A · Temecula, CAThe pilot failed to see and avoid a set of power lines while maneuvering to a landing site.Feb 17, 2012 · N49CD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA430Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s intentional low-altitude maneuvering and failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to distraction.Sep 4, 2011 · N7WJ · DestroyedNTSB WPR11CA398Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-4 · Los Banos, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power poles while maneuvering during low-altitude operations.Aug 21, 2011 · N948DS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTrusty Thorp T-18 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight, which resulted from his impairment or incapacitation due to multiple medical conditions and sedating medication.Jun 20, 2011 · N851LT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Perris, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.Dec 20, 2010 · N316KW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.May 9, 2010 · N56626 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Lytle Creek, CAThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness while maneuvering under a cloud layer and failure to maintain sufficient clearance from mountainous terrain.Jan 18, 2010 · N2217B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10GA097Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Auberry, CAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a wire while maneuvering during low-altitude operations.Jan 5, 2010 · N5016U · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10CA094Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Tipton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.Jan 1, 2010 · N440NR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA048Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiasecki/Pike PV-18 · Adelanto, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during en route flight.Nov 7, 2009 · N183YP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA385Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Napa, CAThe instrument-rated pilot’s loss of situational awareness and failure to follow the prescribed instrument departure clearance/procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the terrain.Aug 5, 2009 · N23750 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09CA272Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · Warner Springs, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering in flight.May 30, 2009 · N5826V · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09CA207Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerostar International Raven S49A · Tracy, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.Apr 18, 2009 · N6378E · Minor damage