# NTSB investigations, 2015: 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 · 75 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR16LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA043.md): Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20F · Nogales, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2015 · N6811V · Substantial damage > The airplane’s impact with a hillside shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB DCA16WA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16WA236.md): Cessna 182 · Plettenberg, Western Cape Province, South Africa · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 16, 2015 · ZS-SLS · Destroyed > The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna 182@ airplane that occurred on December 16, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the SACAA's investigation under the… - [NTSB GAA16CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA077.md): Piper PA 28 · California, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N432FL · Substantial damage > The student pilot's descent below the prescribed final approach path at night, and flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's descent, which resulted in a collision with trees and impact with the ground. - [NTSB CEN16FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA062.md): Piper PA46 500TP · Council Bluffs, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2015 · N145JR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while returning to the airport after becoming distracted by a noncritical flight instrumentation anomaly indication. - [NTSB ERA16FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA063.md): Timothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2015 · N541TC · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt a flight under visual flight rules at night in instrument meteorological conditions to an unlit airstrip, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN16WA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16WA056.md): Piper PA28R · Ljubljana, Slovenia, Slovenia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 3, 2015 · OE-DYM · Destroyed > On December 3, 2015, a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, OE-DYM, was destroyed after impact with terrain while on approach to the Ljubljana Airport, Slovenia. The pilot was fatally injured. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Republic of… - [NTSB ERA16CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA056.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Danbury, CT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 24, 2015 · N771BT · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions while on approach to landing. - [NTSB WPR16LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA028.md): Beech A36 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2015 · N78CR · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's failure to comply with published instrument approach procedures during an instrument approach in dark night, visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the controller's… - [NTSB WPR16WA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16WA026.md): Cessna 310 · Mildura, Australia, Australia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 6, 2015 · VH-BWZ · Destroyed > On November 6, 2015, at 1840 local time, a Cessna 310R, VH-BWZ, operating under the pertinent civil regulation of the Government of Australia, collided with terrain near Mildura, Australia, while on approach. The airplane was destroyed in the post-impact fire… - [NTSB CEN16FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA024.md): Raytheon A36 · Pottsville, AR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2015 · N3BE · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a sufficient climb rate during departure in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB GAA16LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA031.md): Airbus AS350 · Deadhorse, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2015 · C-GSLY · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance while attempting to land in flat light and whiteout conditions. - [NTSB CEN16LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA016.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lancaster, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2015 · N849CD · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a night visual approach, which resulted in impact with a power line. Contributing to the accident was an inoperative precision approach path indicator. - [NTSB WPR16FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA006.md): Cessna 182 · Hope, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2015 · N6184F · Destroyed > The pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to cross mountainous terrain and her subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the weather conditions and flight plan. - [NTSB GAA16CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA008.md): Piper PA · Glennallen, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2015 · N7879H · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land, resulting in a collision with trees. - [NTSB ERA16LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA003.md): Beech S35 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2015 · N449CT · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB ERA16WA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16WA025.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Brazil, Brazil · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 6, 2015 · PT-NKU · Destroyed > On October 6, 2015, about 1433 UTC, A Piper PA-28R-200 (Embraer EMB711C); Brazilian registration PT-NKU, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while flying from Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil to Serra do Caraca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The two occupants were… - [NTSB CEN16FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA005.md): Beech P35 · Chadron, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2015 · N877DM · Destroyed > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain during cruise flight. - [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 CEN15FA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA400.md): Cessna 310H · Silverton, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2015 · N1099Q · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper judgment and his failure to maintain situational awareness, which resulted in the flight's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and controlled flight into terrain during cruise flight. - [NTSB GAA15CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA251.md): Air Tractor AT 402A · Fort Pierre, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 4, 2015 · N321DA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in the airplane striking guy-wires during aerial application operations. - [NTSB ERA15FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA326.md): Piper PA44 · Houlton, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2015 · N553MD · Destroyed > The pilot's descent below the published minimum descent altitude in night instrument meteorological conditions without visual contact with the runway environment, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the… - [NTSB ERA15WA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA347.md): Cessna TU206B · Lib Mandy, Peru · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 26, 2015 · OB-1616 · Destroyed - [NTSB DCA15WA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15WA187.md): Cessna 441 · Cape Town, South Africa · Accident · 7 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 17, 2015 · V5-NRS · Destroyed > The government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna 441 airplane that occurred on August 17, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under the… - [NTSB ERA15LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA315.md): Piper PA 28-161 · Bristow, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2015 · N82587 · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. - [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 CEN15FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA347.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 5A · Harrisburg, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N9684U · Substantial damage > The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark, night conditions and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN15FA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA342.md): Piper PA 32R-300 · Harbor Springs, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N43829 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees during the approach in dark, night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. - [NTSB CEN15RA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15RA352.md): Dehavilland DHC 2 · Akureyri, Iceland · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 9, 2015 · N610LC · Substantial damage > On August 9, 2015, at an unknown time, a De Havilland DHC-2 airplane, United States registration N610LC, was substantially damaged when it impacted mountainous terrain near Akureyri, Iceland. One occupant sustained fatal injuries, and one occupant sustained… - [NTSB CEN15WA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA339.md): Kitfox Series 7 · Hundwil, Switzerland · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Aug 5, 2015 · HB-YMG · Destroyed > On August 5, 2015 about 0840 UTC, a Kitfox Series 7 airplane, Swiss registration HB-YMG, impacted into a forest near Hundwil-Appenzell, Switzerland. The pilot and the passenger were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. Visual Meteorological conditions… - [NTSB WPR15FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA227.md): Cessna P337G · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2015 · N4CU · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. - [NTSB ERA15LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA282.md): North American Navion · Waynesboro, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2015 · N91418 · Substantial damage > The pilot's early rotation of the airplane and his failure to attain a positive climb rate during takeoff with the airplane near its aft center of gravity limit from a runway with little margin for error. - [NTSB CEN15WA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA338.md): 3xtrim 450 Ultra · Golub-Dobrzyn City, Poland · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 17, 2015 · SP-SPRL · Destroyed > On July 17, 2015 about 1615 UTC, a 3Xtrim 450 Ultra, light sport airplane, Poland registration SP-SPRL, impacted terrain while on a sightseeing flight near Golub-Dobrzyn, Poland. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger was killed. The airplane was… - [NTSB ANC15FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA049.md): Cessna 207A · Juneau, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 17, 2015 · N62AK · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to initiate and continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of situational awareness and controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the company's failure to follow its… - [NTSB WPR15FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA215.md): Piper PA 22-160 · Twin Sisters Mtn, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2015 · N9712D · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. - [NTSB WPR15FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA212.md): Beech A35 · Mazama, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2015 · N8749A · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. - [NTSB GAA15CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA171.md): Weatherly 620B · Hatch, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2015 · N2034P · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance, and the airplane struck a transmission line wire during aerial application operations. - [NTSB GAA15CA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA196.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Forest City, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 2, 2015 · N824DK · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to monitor the flight environment for adequate terrain/obstacle clearance during takeoff, which resulted in the inflight collision with power transmission line wires. - [NTSB CEN15LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA294.md): Boeing A75N1 (PT17) · Louisburg, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2015 · N44SN · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations. - [NTSB ANC15MA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15MA041.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · 9 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jun 25, 2015 · N270PA · Substantial damage > (1) the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain; and (2) Promech's company culture, which tacitly endorsed flying in… - [NTSB GAA15CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA128.md): Beech C23 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2015 · N24022 · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering to land at night, which resulted in a collision with terrain/objects. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of oversight by ATC; failing to insure that the fully operational VASI… - [NTSB WPR15LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA190.md): Piper PA 20 · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2015 · N6939K · Substantial damage > The pilot's delayed decision to go around after realizing that the airplane’s airspeed and altitude were too high, which resulted in an inadequate flare and bounced landing and a subsequent go-around in high-density altitude conditions. - [NTSB ERA15WA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA250.md): Bell 206B · Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 16, 2015 · PT-YDY · Destroyed > On June 16, 2015, at 1910 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Bell 206B helicopter, Brazilian registration PT-YDY, operated by a private owner, was destroyed following a controlled flight into terrain near Ouro Preto municipality, State of Minas Gerais,… - [NTSB CEN15WA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA273.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Kangirsuk, Canada · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 12, 2015 · C-FXPS · Substantial damage > On June 11, 2015, about 2340 eastern daylight time, a Canadian registered PA-23-250, C-FXPS, impacted terrain about 1.2 nautical miles from the Kangirsuk Airport, Kangirsuk, Quebec, Canada. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The investigation… - [NTSB ANC15WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15WA036.md): Cessna 182 · Sikanni Chief, Canada · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 1, 2015 · N759AS · Destroyed - [NTSB GAA15LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA101.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Archer City, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 2015 · N120TF · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power transmission lines during an aerial application flight. - [NTSB GAA15CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA090.md): Piper PA 25-260 · Casselton, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2015 · N4793Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to monitor the flight environment for adequate terrain/obstacle clearance, which resulted in the inflight collision with power transmission line wires. - [NTSB CEN15WA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA254.md): Cessna T182 - T · Carlow, Ireland · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 24, 2015 · N247P · Destroyed - [NTSB WPR15FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA166.md): Cessna 210F · Pleasanton, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 21, 2015 · N1842F · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain. - [NTSB WPR15LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA156.md): Buhl LA 1 · Cottage Grove, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 3, 2015 · N352Y · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power on downwind for landing due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing. - [NTSB ERA15FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA204.md): Cessna 182 · Mulberry, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 2015 · N6579M · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to recover from a controlled descent for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident investigation. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?year=2015&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") = 2015 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=2015 --- 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.