# NTSB investigations, 2017: 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 · 68 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR18FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA063.md): Cessna 172M · Ogden, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2017 · N4395R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of three impairing medications.
- [NTSB WPR18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA053.md): Browning Gregory S Zodiac 601XL · Thompson's Station, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2017 · N929GB · Substantial damage
  > The sport pilot's decision to depart in and continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA049.md): North American Navion · El Cajon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2017 · N8884H · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB ANC18FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA012.md): Cessna U206 · Maunaloa, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2017 · N732DF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions while conducting an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA069.md): Weaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.
- [NTSB GAA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA074.md): Cessna 172 · Bowie, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 30, 2017 · N474SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.
- [NTSB ERA18WA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA028.md): Cessna 208 · Ngorongoro, Tanzania · Accident · 11 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 15, 2017 · 5H-EGG · Substantial damage
  > On November 15, 2017, about 0805 coordinated universal time, Cessna 208B, Tanzanian registration 5H-EGG, operated by Coastal Aviation LTD., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The pilot and 10 passengers were fatally…
- [NTSB CEN18LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA025.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Larchwood, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2017 · N7085M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB WPR18CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA028.md): Still Michael J Titan T-51 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2017 · N651P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.
- [NTSB WPR18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA014.md): American AA 1A · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N9239L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid unmarked power lines during the approach to land.
- [NTSB CEN18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA014.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Gustavus, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2017 · N105MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disorientation while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern in dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below a normal approach path and a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN18FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA009.md): Cessna 182H · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N8338S · Substantial damage
  > Controlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR18LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA007.md): Thomas Stephen Glasair Super II RG · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2017 · N248ST · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that were not determined.
- [NTSB WPR18FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA001.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Klamath Falls, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2017 · N6083D · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument rated pilot's decision to depart on a cross-country flight with en route weather conditions forecasted to be less than visual meteorological conditions and then to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in…
- [NTSB WPR17FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA215.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Brinnon, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2017 · N9549W · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to completely and properly evaluate the student pilot's incorrectly- planned flight, and his failure to use all available resources to maintain situation awareness during the flight, which resulted in controlled flight into…
- [NTSB GAA17CA559](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA559.md): Cessna 182 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 27, 2017 · N9346G · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing.
- [NTSB CEN17WA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA370.md): Cessna 150J · Goderich, Canada · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 21, 2017 · C-FHPU · Substantial damage
  > On September 20, 2017, about 2036 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J single-engine airplane, Canadian registration C-FHPU, serial number 15070602, crashed in Lake Huron about 1.1 nautical miles west of Goderich Municipal Airport (CYGD), Goderich, Ontario,…
- [NTSB WPR17LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA206.md): Bell 47G 5 · Salinas, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2017 · N3285T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a wire.
- [NTSB CEN17FA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA355.md): Bell 206L 3 · Ancho, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N213TV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's distraction by a cell phone during a low-altitude flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA17WA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA321.md): Piper Piper PA-34-200T · Cerrione, Italy · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 9, 2017 · G-STZA · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR17FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA196.md): Cessna 172N · Bolinas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2017 · N737QQ · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.
- [NTSB ERA17WA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA273.md): Bell 206 · Algiers, Algeria · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 10, 2017 · 7T-WUF · Substantial damage
  > On August 10, 2017, about 0930 coordinated universal time, Bell 206L3 helicopter, Algerian registration 7T-WUF, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering in Algiers, Algeria. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB ERA17LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA267.md): Piper PA28 · Pittstown, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2017 · N56884 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a night flight and his failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's lack of total…
- [NTSB CEN17WA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA310.md): Piper PA28 · Berghaus Diavolezza, Switzerland · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 4, 2017 · HB-PER · Substantial damage
  > On August 4, 2017, at 0720 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181, Swiss registration HB-PER, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted mountainous terrain near Berghaus Diavolezza, Switzerland. The pilot and two passengers on board were fatally injured. A third…
- [NTSB CEN17LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA303.md): Cessna A188B · Marshall, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2017 · N3047J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to accurately monitor the airplane's airspeed after takeoff due to an inoperative airspeed indicator, which resulted in the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and…
- [NTSB WPR17FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA179.md): Michaelian Lancair IV-TP · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N420M · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR17WA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17WA178.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cloncurry, Australia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 2, 2017 · VH-HGU · Destroyed
  > On August 2, 2017, at 0740 local time, a Robinson R22, VH-HGU, was destroyed by a post-impact fire following a collision with power lines during cruise flight near Cloncurry Aerodrome, Australia. The helicopter was operated under the pertinent civil…
- [NTSB WPR17FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA170.md): Beech 19A · Waipi'o, HI · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2017 · N6142N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at low altitude in close proximity to the rising terrain.
- [NTSB ANC17FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA039.md): Cessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 27, 2017 · N1749R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was (1) the inadequate preflight…
- [NTSB GAA17CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA454.md): Air Tractor AT 802 · Trumann, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2017 · N802DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue flight in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in collision with the ground.
- [NTSB CEN17WA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA289.md): Cessna U206 · Culiacan, Mexico · Accident · 7 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 23, 2017 · XB-MUM · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC17FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA035.md): Aeronca 15AC · Big Lake, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2017 · N1370H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during low-altitude flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA388.md): Cessna 207 · Hope, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N9620M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA385.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Edna, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N6135P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tower during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN17LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA244.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Stirum, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2017 · N4196Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to attempt flight with low-level fog in the area, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA17FA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA211.md): Buckeye Powered Parachutes Dream Machine 582 · Federalsburg, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2017 · N50130 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in powered parachutes.
- [NTSB GAA17CA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA371.md): Aero Commander Callair A 9 · Morgan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2017 · N7662V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires.
- [NTSB WPR17LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA124.md): Piper PA28 · Carpinteria, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2017 · N2171D · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR17FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA125.md): Beech 95 C55 · Mountain Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N3717Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration that resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN17WA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA214.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sacatepequez, Guatemala · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 1, 2017 · TG-GYV · Destroyed
  > On June 1, 2017, at 1824 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-24-140, Guatemalan registration TG-GYV, owned by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances near Volcán de Agua, Departamento de…
- [NTSB GAA17CA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA308.md): Robert Hamblin Autogyro Gmbh Cavalo · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2017 · N721E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB ANC17LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA025.md): Airbus AS350 · Juneau, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2017 · N207CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to depart into an area of degraded visual meteorological and flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA306.md): Cessna 150 · Zepp, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 21, 2017 · N60579 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor icing, which resulted from the student pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat and the flight instructor’s delayed response in applying carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive…
- [NTSB ERA17WA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA192.md): Robinson R22 · Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 20, 2017 · ZS-RIT · Substantial damage
  > The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R22 helicopter that occurred on May 20, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist SACAA's investigation under the…
- [NTSB GAA17CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA279.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Vevay, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2017 · N428JG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during an agricultural application flight due to distraction when reading a map.
- [NTSB GAA17CA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA261.md): Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582 · Arecibo, PR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 5, 2017 · N228KM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid trees during low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB ANC17FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA021.md): Cessna 208B · Chignik Lake, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 1, 2017 · N803TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Contributing to the accident was the company's failure to provide the pilot…
- [NTSB CEN17WA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA175.md): Socata-Groupe Aerospatiale TB 20 · Malaga, Spain · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 29, 2017 · D-ECJP · Substantial damage
  > On April 29, 2017, at 1632 UTC, a Socata TB-20, D-ECJP, impacted terrain near Canillas de Aceituno in Malaga, Spain. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight departed Mutxamel Airfield (LEMU) in Alicante,…
- [NTSB ERA17FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA164.md): Bell-Carson 47G Super C 4 · Timmonsville, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2017 · N865Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude near trees, which resulted in collision with the trees.
- [NTSB WPR17LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA099.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Goodyear, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 20, 2017 · N154BY · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to the installation of an improper air induction hose, which failed and prevented sufficient air intake to the turbocharger.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?year=2017&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") = 2017
  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=2017

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