# NTSB investigations, NC: 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 ERA26LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA143.md): Cessna 172 · Carthage, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 1, 2026 · N972WW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while on final approach for landing. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial actions.
- [NTSB ERA24FA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA294.md): Cessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N2198G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.
- [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 ERA22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA001.md): Beech S35 · Andrews, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 3, 2021 · N876T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.
- [NTSB ERA21LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Waxhaw, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2021 · N7078V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [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 GAA18CA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA250.md): Michael R Alexander Mosquito XE · Iron Station, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N725JC · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to practice hovering the helicopter in a confined space, which resulted in the tail rotor striking a tree.
- [NTSB ERA15CA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA036.md): Six Chuter SR7 XL · Fairview, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2014 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's delayed go-around procedure, which resulted in collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flying experience.
- [NTSB ERA14FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA044.md): Focke-Wulf FWP 149D · Kenansville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2013 · N132FW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB ERA13CA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA245.md): Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 · Yadkinville, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2013 · N9860E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper altitude management while maneuvering for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA13CA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA234.md): Piper J3C-65 · Selma, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 9, 2013 · N21609 · Substantial damage
  > The instructor pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with power lines and then the ground.
- [NTSB ERA13LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA113.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Manteo, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2013 · N6537C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempted visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions while maneuvering at a low altitude in the traffic pattern, which resulted in spatial disorientation and impact with the water. Contributing was the pilot's lack of experience flying…
- [NTSB ERA12CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA043.md): Fehlner-Shelton Aerosport Scamp WTB1 · Grantham, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 17, 2011 · N25WS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate clearance from unmarked power lines while on approach to land at a private airport.
- [NTSB ERA11FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA219.md): Beech 58 · Greensboro, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2011 · N569JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation due to a somatogravic illusion while conducting a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into objects and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA11CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA205.md): Cessna 172M · Statesville, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 23, 2011 · N32SF · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA10CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA011.md): Remos Remos G-3/ · Sims, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 8, 2009 · N18241 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude, resulting in controlled flight into water.
- [NTSB ERA09FA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA514.md): Beech A36 · Flat Rock, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2009 · N888WD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s attempt to maintain visual flight during instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to advise the controller of the weather conditions…
- [NTSB ERA09FA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA411.md): Cessna R182 · Hayesville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2009 · N778RK · Destroyed
  > Flight into terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA09LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA371.md): Layson Stanley B Steen SKY Bolt · High Point, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2009 · N233VW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA09CA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA134.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Manteo, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 13, 2009 · N7918C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the missed approach procedure while landing with a low ceiling.

## 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" = 'NC' 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=NC

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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.
