# NTSB investigations, 2018: 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 · 63 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA19FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA070.md): Piper PA28 · Blairsville, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2018 · N6143J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a visual approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night.
- [NTSB CEN19WA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA043.md): Cessna 177 · Spain, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2018 · D-ECGS · Destroyed
  > The government of Spain has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 177 airplane that occurred on December 07, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Spain's investigation under the provisions of…
- [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 ERA19WA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA104.md): Agusta AW109 · Campos do Jordao, Brazil · Accident · 6 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 24, 2018 · PT-FPS · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Agusta AW109 helicopter that occurred on November 24, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN19FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA029.md): Beech 55 · Liberal, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2018 · N4817M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly in an area where moderate icing conditions were forecasted in an airplane that was not certified for such conditions, and in the effort to get out of the icing conditions, his decision to fly below the minimum descent…
- [NTSB WPR19FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA026.md): Zenith CH601 · Overgaard, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N322JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the airport’s visual approach path indicator during the final approach to the upsloping runway, which resulted in a low approach path and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA047.md): Bell OH 58C · Verbena, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N510CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.
- [NTSB CEN19WA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA038.md): Piper PA25 · Pachuca, Mexico, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 8, 2018 · XB-FRC
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on November 08, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB CEN19FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA024.md): Bell 206 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2018 · N417WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain during night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot improper decision to inhibit the helicopter's terrain warning systems and flight at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN19CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA017.md): Piper PA28R · Hobbs, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2018 · N6899C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect altimeter setting during the night visual approach, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19TA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA005.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Placitas, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 10, 2018 · N7252H · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly estimate the height of terrain while descending the balloon, which resulted in the balloon impacting a hill and passengers sustaining serious injuries.
- [NTSB GAA19CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA021.md): Aviat S · Hampton, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 9, 2018 · N126BB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires during approach.
- [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003.md): Piper J3C · Fancy Gap, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2018 · N38811 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.…
- [NTSB CEN18FA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA386.md): Cessna U206 · Rainy Pass, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2018 · N1738R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent entry into a box canyon and subsequent controlled flight into mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA263.md): Cessna A185 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N573BV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.
- [NTSB ERA18WA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA252.md): Beech C90 · Ipumirim County, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 15, 2018 · PR-RFB. · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BEECH C90 airplane that occurred on September 15, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB WPR18FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA260.md): Robert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2018 · N166LC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.
- [NTSB GAA18CA549](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA549.md): Aviat A1 · Bentonville, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 12, 2018 · N868X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted go-around after the airplane bounced, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA18CA538](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA538.md): Avid Avid Magnum · Carrabassett Valley, ME · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N2137G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to initiate the flight in marginal visual flight rules over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological and downdraft conditions and the subsequent controlled flight into trees…
- [NTSB ERA18LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA242.md): Stinson 108 · Indiana, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2018 · N4059C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of debris contamination of the fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA18WA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA247.md): Beech 33 · Taquaraçu de Minas, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 1, 2018 · PT-OCB · Destroyed
  > The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Beech 33 airplane that occurred on September 01, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB CEN18FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA359.md): Piper PA28R · Kaplan, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N7430J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a charted and illuminated television/radio tower.
- [NTSB WPR18FA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA245.md): Cessna P210 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N6500W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain an approach path that provided clearance from the terrain due to a visual illusion in dark night 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 GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506.md): Hughes 369 · Ridgeway, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N89ZC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB WPR18FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA232.md): Hughes 369 · Granger, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2018 · N530FU · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to not follow the training syllabus and allow the low-level high-speed flight.
- [NTSB CEN18LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA340.md): Beech B36TC · LaPorte, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2018 · N6860W · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power due to a torn intercooler hose that resulted in an overly rich fuel mixture, which, when combined with the pilot's activation of the auxiliary fuel pump, flooded the engine.
- [NTSB WPR18LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA241.md): Cessna 172 · Afton, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2018 · N5660J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance after an encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering in a valley with a high-density altitude, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA326.md): Cessna 525 · Payson City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2018 · N526CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional flight into his residence.
- [NTSB GAA18CA561](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA561.md): Apollo Fox · Chateaugay, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N791YE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around.
- [NTSB ANC18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA053.md): De Havilland DHC 3 · Hydaburg, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2018 · N3952B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA226.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B · Arrey, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N6672Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hillside during an agricultural application flight while facing the sun.
- [NTSB CEN18FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA227.md): Cessna 172N · Rotan, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N734BS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's reckless decision to conduct low-level flight over a canyon, resulting in the airplane's impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18WA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18WA165.md): Cessna 208 · Njabini, Kenya · Accident · 10 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 5, 2018 · 5Y-CAC · Destroyed
  > On June 5, 2018, about 1705 local time, a Cessna 208, 5Y-CAC, collided into a mountain in the Aberdare mountain range near Njabini, Kenya. The 2 pilots and 8 passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned and operated by…
- [NTSB CEN18LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA207.md): Cessna T210 · Clovis, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2018 · N66ML · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR18LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA151.md): Cessna 150M · Bainbridge Island, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2018 · N6AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his distraction by using the tablet for navigation, which resulted in his failure to detect that the airplane had entered a descent.
- [NTSB GAA18CA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA325.md): Cosentino Garey A Pegasus · Kingston, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N339PG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and the powered parachute’s subsequent impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN18FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA192.md): Beech D17S · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2018 · N79091 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA182.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Luling, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2018 · N362JS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline structure while hovering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18WA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA188.md): Cessna 208 · Tuzantan, Mexico · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 15, 2018 · UNKNOWN · Destroyed
  > On May 15, 2018, about 1300 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 208 airplane, N149CD, crashed in jungle terrain under unknown circumstances near Tuzantan, Mexico. The three occupants were fatally injured. The flight departure and destination were unknown.…
- [NTSB WPR18FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA141.md): Cessna 182G · Cascade, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N2377R · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC18FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N7061W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA139.md): Beech 76 · Julian, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2018 · N803FC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…
- [NTSB CEN18WA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA166.md): Ayres S2R · Morales, Guatemala · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · May 9, 2018 · TG-FDM · Destroyed
  > On May 9, 2018, about 1415 coordinated universal time, an Ayres Thrush S2R-T34 airplane TG-FDM, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near the municipality of Morales in Izabal Department of Guatemala. The pilot was fatally…
- [NTSB GAA18CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA347.md): Piper PA28 · Pine Spring, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N9494J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying over mountainous terrain in turbulent wind conditions at night, which resulted in a tree strike.
- [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 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 GAA18CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249.md): Hughes 369 · Newark, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 29, 2018 · N175JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
- [NTSB WPR18LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA127.md): Yakovlev YAK 52 · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2018 · N2YK · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB ANC18LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA031.md): Cessna 208B · Atqasuk, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2018 · N814GV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to level the airplane after the autopilot disconnected, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?year=2018&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") = 2018
  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=2018

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