Final NTSB investigations, 2015
54 cases where the sequence of events included Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).
Cases per year
| 2008 | 52 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 60 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2011 | 72 |
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 68 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 54 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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.\"completionStatus\" = 'Completed'
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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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."completionStatus" = 'Completed' 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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR16LA043Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20F · Nogales, AZThe airplane’s impact with a hillside shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA16CA077Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28 · California, MDThe 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 CEN16FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 500TP · Council Bluffs, IAThe 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 ERA16FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTimothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PAThe 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 ERA16CA056Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Danbury, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions while on approach to landing.NTSB WPR16LA028Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lancaster, CAThe 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 CEN16FA024Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Pottsville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain a sufficient climb rate during departure in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA16LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Deadhorse, AKThe 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 CEN16LA016Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lancaster, TXThe 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 WPR16FA006Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Hope, IDThe 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 GAA16CA008Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA · Glennallen, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land, resulting in a collision with trees.NTSB ERA16LA003Accident · Serious injuriesClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportBeech S35 · Knoxville, TNThe 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 CEN16FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Chadron, NEThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain during cruise flight.NTSB CEN15FA400Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Silverton, COThe 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 GAA15CA251Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402A · Fort Pierre, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in the airplane striking guy-wires during aerial application operations.NTSB ERA15FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA44 · Houlton, METhe 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 ERA15LA315Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · Bristow, VAThe 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 ERA15FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Marathon, FLThe 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 CEN15FA347Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Harrisburg, ILThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark, night conditions and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN15FA342Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Harbor Springs, MIThe 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 WPR15FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P337G · Santa Paula, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB ERA15LA282Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Waynesboro, VAThe 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 ANC15FA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 207A · Juneau, AKThe 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 WPR15FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-160 · Twin Sisters Mtn, WAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR15FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Mazama, WAThe 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 GAA15CA171Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Hatch, NMThe pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance, and the airplane struck a transmission line wire during aerial application operations.NTSB GAA15CA196Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Forest City, SDThe 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 CEN15LA294Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 (PT17) · Louisburg, KSA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations.NTSB ANC15MA041Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Ketchikan, AK(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 GAA15CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech C23 · Long Beach, CAThe 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 WPR15LA190Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 20 · Yellow Pine, IDThe 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 GAA15LA101Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Archer City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power transmission lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB GAA15CA090Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 25-260 · Casselton, NDThe 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 WPR15FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.NTSB WPR15LA156Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBuhl LA 1 · Cottage Grove, ORA loss of engine power on downwind for landing due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB ERA15FA204Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Mulberry, TNThe pilot's failure to recover from a controlled descent for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident investigation.NTSB CEN15LA235Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLathrop Steven A B8M · Ravenna, MIA total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB WPR15LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Redding, CAThe pilot's intentional descent into terrain.NTSB WPR15FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert C. Hanson Pitts S2E · Lebec, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.NTSB ERA15FA181Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T1 · Fort Lauderdale, FLA rapid onset of smoke and/or fire inflight for reasons that could not be determined due to the postimpact fire and the condition of the wreckage.NTSB ERA15FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Cherokee, ALThe pilot's spatial disorientation during a low-level river crossing in rainy, gray, reduced visibility meteorological conditions, which resulted in the helicopter's subsequent descent and impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB ERA15CA176Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech V35B · Wetumpka, ALThe pilot's use of an incorrect radio frequency when attempting to turn on the runway lights, resulting is an attempt to land the airplane while aligned with airport hangar lights.NTSB CEN15FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Batesville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…NTSB CEN15FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAircraft Mfg & Dvlpmt CH601XL · Pleasanton, KSThe pilot's excessively high angle-of-attack on rotation that prevented the airplane from climbing sufficiently to avoid the approaching trees.NTSB WPR15FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R - 301 · Townsend, MTThe pilot's decision to depart on and to continue a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent…NTSB CEN15FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · El Paso, TXThe pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into known instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN15FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Eufaula, OKThe flight's inadvertent encounter with night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot turning the helicopter and subsequently descending into trees and terrain due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA15FA144Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Norfolk, VAThe pilot's failure to properly execute the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight planning and his decision to conduct the flight in instrument meteorological conditions at night into forecast moderate…NTSB ERA15CA127Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C 1 · Carthage, NYThe non-helicopter-rated pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter at low-level and his inability to adequately see the horizon over snow and ice, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA15LA114Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fernandina Beach, FLThe pilot’s physical impairment due to intense pain, which resulted in his failure to maintain airplane control.