# 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 3 of 22 · 1,074 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ERA24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA053.md): Beech C23 · Midland, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 3, 2023 · N76SB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to descend below the minimum decision altitude of the instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual references distinctively identified and with the visibility and ceiling below the minimum that was prescribed for the…
- [NTSB GAA24WA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA047.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · El Mirador, Guatemala · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 30, 2023 · N2249Z · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR24FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA037.md): Cessna P210N · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2023 · N1400 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate flight and fuel planning and his decision to fly in night instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of recent instrument flight.
- [NTSB WPR24FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA024.md): Cessna T206H · Orangeville, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 27, 2023 · N915DV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN24FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA024.md): Lancair 320 · Manitowoc, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2023 · N320P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during an unapproved instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB GAA24WA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA013.md): Cessna 208 · Monêtier-Allemont, France · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 15, 2023 · F-HSLE · Destroyed
- [NTSB GAA24WA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA009.md): Diamond DA20 · Almeria, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 10, 2023 · CO493 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR24FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA002.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Moab, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 2, 2023 · N7153R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA385.md): Cessna T206 · Port Clinton, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2023 · N34PL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to detect and avoid unmarked powerline(s) while attempting to take off from a river.
- [NTSB CEN23LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA414.md): Buckeye Dream Machine · Fortuna, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2023 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain the unregistered powered parachute’s clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB WPR23LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA339.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Silverton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2023 · N350WW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water.
- [NTSB ERA23FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA358.md): Cirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 3, 2023 · N420PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA307.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N56907 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb out due to improper maintenance of the magneto.
- [NTSB WPR23FA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA296.md): Cessna T206H · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N918KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB ANC23FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA056.md): Bell 206-L4 · Wainwright, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N311MH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude over a large body of water toward featureless terrain, which resulted in a loss of visual clues and controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA257.md): Cessna 550 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N819KR · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…
- [NTSB GAA23WA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA205.md): Piper PA28R · GUaratuba, Brazil · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 3, 2023 · PT-JZC · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA045.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N1132Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA271.md): Cessna 172N · Siloam Springs, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2023 · N739GU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while on final approach to land.
- [NTSB CEN23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA270.md): Icon A5 · Onamia, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2023 · N239BA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA257.md): Avid Magnum · Beaver Island, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 23, 2023 · N103DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering in low visibility conditions due to smoke and haze.
- [NTSB CEN23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Light, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N6678Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.
- [NTSB ANC23LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA036.md): Piper PA31 · Point Thomson, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N34WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA187.md): Cessna 172 · Chambers, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2023 · N2946U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Skwentna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2023 · N704T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR23FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA172.md): Cessna 172S · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA23LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA147.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+ · Franklin, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2023 · N558MT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to review an aircraft logbook while enroute, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA131.md): Cessna 150G · Hillsville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 27, 2023 · N2991J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA127.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2023 · N103AV · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to effectively utilize carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice that formed during the engine run-up and taxi.
- [NTSB DCA23WA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23WA150.md): Boeing 737-3H4 · Womarden, Australia · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 6, 2023 · N619SW · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA23LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA115.md): Eiriavion PIK-20D · Benton, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 20, 2023 · N1NZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to turn toward a mountain ridge in a thermal, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA084.md): Piper PA46 · Yoakum, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 17, 2023 · N963MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ANC23LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA012.md): Cessna 208B · Kualapuu, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 16, 2023 · N236KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude during a circling approach procedure in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA108.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.
- [NTSB GAA23WA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA055.md): Cessna 188 · Marabá Paulista, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Jan 6, 2023 · PT-BKX · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA23LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA107.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Old Bridge, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 1, 2023 · N8282K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the landing approach.
- [NTSB GAA23WA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA038.md): Beech 95-B55 · Jraber township, Armenia · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 1, 2022 · OM-KVV · Destroyed
- [NTSB GAA23WA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA035.md): Rotorway unk · Drummondville, Canada · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 29, 2022 · unknown · Destroyed
- [NTSB ENG23WA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG23WA004.md): Agusta A109 · Apricena, Italy · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 5, 2022 · I-PIKI · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA23FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA048.md): Beech A36 · Harlan, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2022 · N84R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions during an approach to land at an airport in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s hazardous…
- [NTSB ANC23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA002.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2022 · N3432W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA006.md): Beech A36 · Arundel, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2022 · N902AT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an unstabilized approach, descent below published minimum altitudes, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA23WA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA001.md): Cessna 206 · Vielbrunn, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 3, 2022 · F-HMDR
- [NTSB WPR22LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA360.md): Cessna 150L · Lyman, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2022 · N7471G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to exit the valley with rising terrain and failure to maintain clearance from trees.
- [NTSB CEN22LA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA417.md): Piper PA-18-105 Special · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2022 · N303T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart during high, gusty wind conditions which resulted sink and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA397.md): Rotorway Jetexec · Arthur, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 3, 2022 · N162NH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt the cross-country flight in thunderstorm conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a weather briefing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA297.md): Cessna 182B · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2022 · N722BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN22LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA374.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Kenai, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2022 · N4210Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper approach glide path, which resulted in a collision with a berm.
- [NTSB ERA22LA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA347.md): Bell 206L-3 · Franklin, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2022 · N203PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while flying at a low level over a river, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB WPR22LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA258.md): Evolution Revolt · Walter Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2022 · N258MH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in a wire strike and impact with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?page=4

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

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence?page=3

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