# NTSB investigations, FL: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA300.md): Waco Classic 2T-1A-2 · Clermont, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 14, 2026 · N621GL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach.
- [NTSB ERA25FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA069.md): Vans RV-12IS · Homosassa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 7, 2024 · N702DP · Substantial damage
  > On December 6, 2024, about 2004 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS, N702DP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Homosassa, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight…
- [NTSB ERA24FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA096.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 23, 2024 · N737VC · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.
- [NTSB ERA22FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA160.md): MD Helicopters 369 · Loxahatchee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 18, 2022 · N650AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA22LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA006.md): Cessna 172K · Williston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2021 · N78604 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing…
- [NTSB ERA21LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA111.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 25, 2021 · N266ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into the ocean at night due to his unrecognized spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with the tuning of his transponder while maneuvering over an area with reduced visual references.
- [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 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 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 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 ERA17LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA113.md): Cirrus SR20 · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2017 · N255JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (fog) during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA17FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA088.md): Sharpe William L Buccaneer II B · Mayo, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2017 · N696FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while flying at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA16FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA297.md): Heberlein Ronald Vans RV 9A · Sebring, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2016 · N379RV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB DCA15WA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15WA198.md): Boeing 777 · Miami, FL · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Sep 16, 2015 · A7-BAC · Minor damage
  > The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has delegated the investigation of an incident involving a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300, that occurred on September 15, 2015, to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Qatar. The NTSB has appointed a U.S.…
- [NTSB ERA15FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA299.md): Piper PA-28R · Marathon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N54380 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB ERA15FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA181.md): Piper PA-31T1 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2015 · N119RL · Destroyed
  > A rapid onset of smoke and/or fire inflight for reasons that could not be determined due to the postimpact fire and the condition of the wreckage.
- [NTSB ERA15LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA114.md): Cessna 150 · Fernandina Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2015 · N10616 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s physical impairment due to intense pain, which resulted in his failure to maintain airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA14LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA355.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Pompano Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2014 · N10PU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s miscalculation of the fuel quantity requirements, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA14CA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA175.md): Beech S35 · Marathon, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2014 · N8985M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's distraction in the cockpit while on a visual approach over water during a dark night resulting in the airplane descending until impact with the water.
- [NTSB ERA14FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA162.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Safety Harbor, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2014 · N8309L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to cocaine use.
- [NTSB ERA13LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA174.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Panama City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 2013 · N86AB · Substantial damage
  > A loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt, resulting in rotation of the crankshaft gear and a subsequent total loss of engine power. The root cause for the loss of preload could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the…
- [NTSB ERA12FA572](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA572.md): Cessna 172S · Land O'Lakes, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2012 · N21750 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the cross-country flight while fatigued, which resulted in him falling asleep during the initial descent for landing.
- [NTSB ERA12MA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12MA122.md): Bell 206B · Green Cove Springs, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2011 · N5016M · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the pilot’s improper decision was his self-induced pressure to complete the trip.
- [NTSB ERA12LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA077.md): Ercoupe 415-C · Mulberry, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2011 · N99168 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after recognizing the airplane’s poor performance during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the passenger’s injuries was the pilot’s failure to provide a briefing on the use of the lapbelt, which delayed the passenger’s…
- [NTSB ERA11FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA070.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Destin, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2010 · N548C · Substantial damage
  > Controlled flight into water due to the pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude.
- [NTSB ERA10LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA151.md): Cotter Stits Playmate · Williston, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2010 · N816 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.
- [NTSB ERA09LA464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA464.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC-145 · North Captiva Island, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2009 · N911LZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA09LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA360.md): Robinson R22 · Del Ray Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2009 · N2306T · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of the main drive vee belts.
- [NTSB ERA09LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA310.md): Cessna 172M · Sarasota, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 30, 2009 · N12151 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA09FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA039.md): Partenavia P.68C · Gainesville, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2008 · N681KW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during an instrument-landing-system (ILS) approach. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision to initiate the ILS approach with weather below the published minimums, and the pilot's…
- [NTSB MIA08FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA115.md): Cessna T206H · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2008 · N206GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water during a dark night approach to a coastal airport.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'FL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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?state=FL

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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.
