# NTSB investigations, 2008: 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 1 of 2 · 57 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA09FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA116.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Pittstown, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2008 · N95156 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from trees during the night landing approach and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action.
- [NTSB ERA09WA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09WA206.md): Beech V35 · Valenca, Brazil · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 30, 2008 · PT-JKU · Destroyed
  > On December 30, 2008, about 1240 UTC, or 1040 local, a Beech V35B, Brazilian registration PT-JKU, registered to and operated by Unibase Engenharia e Pavimentacao Ltda, collided with mountainous terrain near Valenca, RJ, Brazil. Instrument meteorological…
- [NTSB WPR09FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA060.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Kapolei, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2008 · N6182J · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the failure of both pilots to use carburetor heat during a long descent for landing in carburetor icing conditions, and, the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB CEN09FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA086.md): Bell 206L-4 · Sabine Pass, TX · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2008 · N180AL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09WA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA082.md): Learjet Lear 23 · Tlaxcala, Mexico · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 8, 2008 · XC-LGD · Substantial damage
  > On December 7, 2008 at approximately 1815 central standard time (CST) a twin-engine turbo fan, Learjet 23, Mexican Registration XC-LGD, was destroyed when it impacted a lake while on final approach to an unlit day visual flight rules airport near Tlaxcala,…
- [NTSB CEN09FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA083.md): Cessna 206H · Kalkaska, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2008 · N6053B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during the instrument-flight-rules flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with instrument flight procedures and his lack of recent instrument flight experience.
- [NTSB ERA09FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA078.md): Rockwell International 690B · Rio Grande, PR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2008 · N318WA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR09CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA051.md): Beech B60 · Rock River, WY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2008 · N6693A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line due to the lack of forward visibility because of an ice-covered windshield. Contributing to the accident was the flight's encounter with icing weather conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA075.md): Hauser U/Hauser J KIT FOX CL · Boulder, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2008 · N4JU · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine thrust due to the pilot's inadvertent activation of the propeller controls. Contributing to the accident were the non-standard propeller controls and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR09LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA043.md): Cessna 170B · Hanna, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 2008 · N8387N · Substantial damage
  > The flight's encounter with adverse tailwinds and downdrafts in mountainous terrain that exceeded the airplane's climb capability.
- [NTSB ERA09LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA064.md): Cessna 172S · Groton, CT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2008 · N2337F · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent profile to avoid trees during the night visual approach and the flight instructor’s inadequate oversight.
- [NTSB ERA09FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA060.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Smithfield, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2008 · N2316P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN09LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA061.md): Cessna 182 · Downers Grove, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2008 · N759HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach in night conditions, due to his impairment from recent use of alcohol, cocaine, and over-the-counter and prescription medications.
- [NTSB CEN09LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA054.md): Cessna 177RG · Mena, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2008 · N2526V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR09FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA034.md): Piper PA-32S-300 · Forest Falls, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2008 · N312AG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR09WA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09WA042.md): Piper PA31-350 · Bathurst, Australia, Australia · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 7, 2008 · VH-OPC · Substantial damage
  > On November 7, 2008, approximately 0930 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Piper PA-31-350, Australian registration VH-OPC, shortly after take-off, collided with terrain about three nautical miles north of the Bathurst Airport, New South Wales, Australia.…
- [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 CEN09LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA039.md): Chamberlin Victor Wayne Minimax · Winnsboro, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2008 · N8637L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static wires while maneuvering to avoid another airplane.
- [NTSB CEN09WA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA022.md): Cessna 402 · Monterrey, Mexico · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 17, 2008 · XC-HAQ · Destroyed
  > On October 17, 2008, a Cessna 402C with Mexican Registration XC-HAQ departed on Runway 02 from Del Norte Airport (MMAN), near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico at 1308 central daylight time (CDT) and was on climb out to cruise when radar contact was lost at 1315.…
- [NTSB ERA09FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA022.md): Robinson R22 · Dryden, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2008 · N943MH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN09MA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09MA019.md): Bell 222 · Aurora, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2008 · N992AA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the 734-foot-tall lighted tower during the visual night flight due to inadequate preflight planning, insufficient altitude, and a flight route too low to clear the tower. Contributing to the accident was the air…
- [NTSB DEN08FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA162.md): Pilatus PC-12/47E · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2008 · N606SL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to fatigue resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB MIA08MA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08MA203.md): Aerospatiale SA365N-1 D · District Heights, MD · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 28, 2008 · N92MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's attempt to regain visual conditions by performing a rapid descent and his failure to arrest the descent at the minimum descent altitude during a nonprecision approach. Contributing to the accident were (1) the pilot’s limited recent instrument…
- [NTSB CHI08FA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA293.md): Robinson R44 II · Kenosha, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2008 · N999ZD · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain resulting in an in-flight collision with a house. Contributing to the accident was the night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the pilot's lack of experience of flying in IMC.
- [NTSB DFW08CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA229.md): Sukhoi SU-31M · Collinsville, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2008 · N531MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from marked transmission lines while on final approach.
- [NTSB DEN08LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA145.md): Cessna 340A · Angle Fire, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2008 · N397RA · Destroyed
  > Controlled flight into terrain for unknown reasons.
- [NTSB DCA08RA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA08RA095.md): Beech 1900 · Bukavu, Congo - Kinshasa · Accident · 17 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 1, 2008 · ZS-OLD · Destroyed
  > On September 1, 2008 about 1510 UTC, ZS-OLD, Beech 1900C, operated by Air Serv International, collided with high terrain during approach to Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The pilot, copilot, and 15 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane…
- [NTSB SEA08LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA191.md): Cessna 172N · Burbank, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2008 · N172ST · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness while conducting the normal and emergency checklists during his turn from base to final…
- [NTSB ANC08FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08FA133.md): Cessna 182 · Juneau, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2008 · N9350X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB LAX08FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA261.md): Cessna 172S · Incline Village, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2008 · N15963 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to initiate a flight for which he was neither approved nor qualified and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the flight. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the mountainous terrain, and the pilot's medical…
- [NTSB CHI08CA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA235.md): Cessna 150L · Watertown, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2008 · N16235 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during cruise. Contributing to the accident was the night, the haze, and the tall vegetation.
- [NTSB DEN08IA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08IA130.md): Raytheon Cobra · Colorado Springs, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2008 · N601RN · Substantial damage
  > The flight team's failure to program the UAS with flight-tested parameters that could tolerate the high density altitude and tailwind conditions encounted during the flight, which resulted in two undershoot approaches, and the existence of an undiscovered…
- [NTSB LAX08FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA246.md): Cessna 172N · McMurray, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2008 · N75558 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA213.md): Schweizer 269 C-1 · Sunol, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2008 · N2011A · Destroyed
  > The pilots' failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission wires during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were the dark night and low fog.
- [NTSB LAX08FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA203.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Mount Charleston, NV · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2008 · N4063W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain and his selection of a cruise altitude that provided inadequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and the rapidly rising terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA198.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Ash Fork, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2008 · N586AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout…
- [NTSB NYC08LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA223.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rockland, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2008 · N8776N · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot becoming spatially disorientated after inadvertently entering instrument flight conditions.
- [NTSB LAX08FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA190.md): Cessna 172M · Pahala, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2008 · N13713 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from his planned route of flight. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB DEN08FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA101.md): Bell 407 · Huntsville, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2008 · N416PH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in its impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the limited outside visual reference due to the dark night conditions.
- [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.
- [NTSB DFW08FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA153.md): Cessna 310Q · Steamboat, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2008 · N8187Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain in day visual conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana and inadequate medical oversight of the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- [NTSB LAX08LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA154.md): Maule MX-7-235 · Boulder, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 23, 2008 · N5657Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight at low altitude in instrument weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from a power line. Contributing to the accident were low cloud and visibility conditions.
- [NTSB NYC08FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA184.md): Cessna 337A · West Creek, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 2008 · N5382S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's departure with insufficient fuel for the planned flight, and his improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue, which was…
- [NTSB CHI08FA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA135.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Stevens Point, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2008 · N1813T · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI08FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA128.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 T2+ · La Crosse, WI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2008 · N135UW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees along the top of a ridgeline due to inadequate preflight planning, insufficient altitude, and the lack of a helicopter terrain awareness and warning system. Member Sumwalt did not approve this brief and…
- [NTSB MIA08LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA096.md): Garrett Gerald P Cozy Mark IV · Jekyll Island, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2008 · N14GG · Substantial damage
  > Controlled flight into water for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ANC08FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08FA053.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 2008 · N213EH · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight overtorque of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft resulting in disconnection of the main transmission from the engine. The overtorque likely occurred due to an in-flight main rotor blade contact with snow-covered terrain, precluding significant…
- [NTSB SEA08FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA108.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 9, 2008 · N868PC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident were the mountainous terrain, the dark night condition, the turbulent wind condition, and the low clouds.
- [NTSB ANC08LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA046.md): Piper PA-32 · Koliganek, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2008 · N8327S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with snow-covered terrain during a turn to reverse direction. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings, flat lighting conditions, and the snow-covered terrain.
- [NTSB SEA08LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA095.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bridger, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2008 · N432RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain situational awareness during the flight. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the pilot's failure to follow approved navigational procedures for the flight, and the pilot's over reliance on the avionics in the…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?year=2008&page=2

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2008
  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?year=2008

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