# 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 22 · 1,074 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB GAA20WA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA100.md): Beech V35 · Cascavel, Brazil · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Nov 17, 2019 · PT-JQZ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB GAA20WA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA083.md): Cessna F150 · Santa Severa Nord, Italy · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 1, 2019 · I-FFSQ · Destroyed
  > The government of Italy has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA F150 airplane that occurred on November 01, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Italy's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB ERA20FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA014.md): Piper PA32 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2019 · N534Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a safe glidepath during final approach to the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of recent instrument flight experience.
- [NTSB CEN20WA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA011.md): Cessna 172 · San Salvador, El Salvador · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 19, 2019 · N7381G · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR19FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA266.md): American AA5 · Cowles, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 27, 2019 · N9774U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into terrain that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19WA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19WA264.md): Mooney M20J · Coffs Harbour, Australia · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 20, 2019 · VH-DJU · Destroyed
  > The government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a MOONEY M20J airplane that occurred on September 20, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…
- [NTSB ERA19WA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA292.md): Vans RV-10 · Guaranta do Norte, Brazil · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 16, 2019 · PP-ZOJ · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an amateur-built Vans RV-10 airplane that occurred on September 16, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under…
- [NTSB CEN19LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA308.md): Cessna 150 · Whitehall, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2019 · N9492U · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s flight into a water tower while operating below minimum safe altitudes for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence for this investigation.
- [NTSB CEN19LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA304.md): Piper PA-28D-180 · Midlothian, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2019 · N6595J · Substantial damage
  > Misalignment of the fuel selector valve when the right fuel tank was selected, which restricted fuel flow and resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR19FA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA250.md): Cessna 210 · Henefer, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 4, 2019 · N94262 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ decision to enter a canyon at low altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain while attempting to exit the canyon.
- [NTSB WPR19WA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19WA260.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Gusap, Papua New Guinea · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 29, 2019 · P2-SET · Destroyed
  > On August 29, 2019, an Air Tractor AT-502B aircraft, registered P2-SET, operated by Ramu Agriculture Industries, collided with a tree near Gusap, Papua New Guinea. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The Papua New Guinea (PNG)…
- [NTSB CEN19FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA271.md): Cessna U206 · Hopedale, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 18, 2019 · N5364Q · Destroyed
  > The controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), resulting from the pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB GAA19WA533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA533.md): Piper PA25 · Totatlan, Jalisco, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 6, 2019 · XB-TOP · Destroyed
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on August 06, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB ANC19FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA042.md): Piper PA22-150 · Girdwood, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2019 · N7402D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to his impairment from alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB ERA19WA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA241.md): Cessna 510 · Los Angeles, Chile · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 2, 2019 · CC-ANR · Destroyed
  > The government of Chile has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna 510 airplane that occurred on August 2, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Chile's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB ERA19LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA229.md): Progressive Aerodyne Searey · Crescent, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N632FG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misjudgment of his altitude during landing and subsequent decrease in pitch attitude, which resulted in a collision with the water.
- [NTSB ENG19WA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG19WA040.md): Air Tractor AT301 · Airdrome Jorge Efrain, Mexico · Accident · Minor injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 10, 2019 · XB-GBA · Substantial damage
  > On July 10, 2019, an Air Tractor AT-301, registration XB-GBA, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R1300 radial engine, operator by the owner stuck power cables and crashed during a local flight. The Mexican Direccion De Analisis de Accidentes E Incidentes De…
- [NTSB WPR19FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA182.md): Cub Crafters CCK-1865 · Moab, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2019 · N66DN · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19WA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA207.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 29, 2019 · N55784 · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR19FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA175.md): Robinson R44 · Two Harbors, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 18, 2019 · N7187D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA172.md): Nanchang CJ6 · Porter Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2019 · N269AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued flight into marginal visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA161.md): Cessna 425 · Butler, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N622MM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a descent to a diversion airport with only the left engine operating. Contributing to the accident was a malfunction of the right engine throttle, the cause of which could not be determined.
- [NTSB GAA19WA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA334.md): Piper PA12 · Gillam (Manitoba)-Canada, Canada · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 29, 2019 · C-FYDN · Destroyed
  > The government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA12 airplane that occurred on May 29, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB WPR19FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA146.md): Aviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2019 · N236AM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.
- [NTSB GAA19CA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA257.md): Cessna 182 · Glades Park, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N6314B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and climb rate during takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in his failure to clear power lines.
- [NTSB GAA19WA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA248.md): Piper PA46 · Rigolet, NL, Canada · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 1, 2019 · N757NY · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA161.md): Cessna 172 · Tyrone, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2019 · N733KZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ANC19TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA017.md): Cessna A185 · Nome, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 15, 2019 · N5163E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN19LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA116.md): Berkey S-6ES · Lafe, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 2, 2019 · N265GB · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath while landing toward the sun, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA19WA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA223.md): Cessna A185 · Bocona, Venezuela · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Mar 22, 2019 · YV1606 · Destroyed
  > The government of Venezuela has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA A185 airplane that occurred on March 22, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Venezuela's investigation under the…
- [NTSB WPR19FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA086.md): Beech D55 · Stallion Springs, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2019 · N533Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions associated with mountain obscuration conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a weather…
- [NTSB CEN19FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA084.md): Piper PA32R · Goshen, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2019 · N4922K · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude for undetermined reasons during a practice circling approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR19FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA083.md): Mooney M20F · Diablo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 9, 2019 · N3270F · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR19FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA075.md): Piper PA28 · Oceanside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2019 · N37RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to depart on the night visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and collision with rising terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19WA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA052.md): Piper PA28R · Regil, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jan 9, 2019 · G-OARI · Destroyed
  > On January 9, 2019, about 1215 UTC, a Piper PA-28-201 Arrow III, United Kingdom registry G-OARI, impacted mountainous terrain near Regil, Guipuzcoa, Spain. The two persons on board were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Instrument meteorological…
- [NTSB ERA19FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA070.md): Piper PA28 · Blairsville, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2018 · N6143J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a visual approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night.
- [NTSB CEN19WA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA043.md): Cessna 177 · Spain, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2018 · D-ECGS · Destroyed
  > The government of Spain has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 177 airplane that occurred on December 07, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Spain's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB ERA19FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA059.md): Cessna 210 · Apalachicola, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 2018 · N3995Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain as a result of his spatial disorientation during departure in dark nighttime conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19WA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA104.md): Agusta AW109 · Campos do Jordao, Brazil · Accident · 6 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 24, 2018 · PT-FPS · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Agusta AW109 helicopter that occurred on November 24, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN19FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA029.md): Beech 55 · Liberal, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2018 · N4817M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly in an area where moderate icing conditions were forecasted in an airplane that was not certified for such conditions, and in the effort to get out of the icing conditions, his decision to fly below the minimum descent…
- [NTSB WPR19FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA026.md): Zenith CH601 · Overgaard, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N322JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the airport’s visual approach path indicator during the final approach to the upsloping runway, which resulted in a low approach path and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA047.md): Bell OH 58C · Verbena, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N510CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.
- [NTSB CEN19WA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA038.md): Piper PA25 · Pachuca, Mexico, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 8, 2018 · XB-FRC
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on November 08, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB CEN19FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA024.md): Bell 206 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2018 · N417WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain during night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot improper decision to inhibit the helicopter's terrain warning systems and flight at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN19CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA017.md): Piper PA28R · Hobbs, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2018 · N6899C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect altimeter setting during the night visual approach, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19TA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA005.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Placitas, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 10, 2018 · N7252H · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly estimate the height of terrain while descending the balloon, which resulted in the balloon impacting a hill and passengers sustaining serious injuries.
- [NTSB GAA19CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA021.md): Aviat S · Hampton, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 9, 2018 · N126BB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires during approach.
- [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003.md): Piper J3C · Fancy Gap, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2018 · N38811 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.…
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.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 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=6

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