NTSB investigations, 2020

35 cases where the sequence of events included Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, 2020 per year, 2008–2026: 1,074 cases
200857
200970
201070
201199
201279
201391
201461
201575
201656
201768
201863
201940
202035
202139
202235
202338
202439
202533
202626

Latest 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\") = 2020
    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.

NTSB CEN21LA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Tuckers Crossing, MSThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control when the external saw contacted trees during an attempted emergency landing due to a main rotor transmission oil pressure warning. The reason that the pilot did not release the external saw from the helicopter during the…Dec 29, 2020 · N103SU · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA085Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210L · Midway, GAThe pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to complete the flight to work in an emergency room.Dec 21, 2020 · N2246S · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA060Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Salem, INThe pilot’s failure to avoid an obstacle during his approach to land.Nov 12, 2020 · N3535A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA035Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman GA7 · Ellicott, NYThe pilot’s continued descent below the minimum descent altitude while conducting an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 1, 2020 · N791GA · DestroyedNTSB WPR20LA330Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Stanley, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.Sep 13, 2020 · N52700 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Seeley Lake, MTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Sep 13, 2020 · N3720R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA299Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Coeur d'Alene, IDThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a collision with trees and terrain.Sep 7, 2020 · N8885X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Three Rivers, CAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.Sep 4, 2020 · N818S · DestroyedNTSB GAA20WA133Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCommander 114 · Fur airport, DenmarkThe government of Denmark has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a COMMANDER 114 airplane that occurred on August 30, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Denmark's investigation under the…Aug 30, 2020 · D-EQCA · DestroyedNTSB CEN20LA367Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Lawrenceville, ILThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain as a result of his failure to properly execute an instrument approach and maintain clearance from trees in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unfamiliarity with a…Aug 29, 2020 · N607SR · DestroyedNTSB ERA20CA298Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportVans RV6 · Milton, DEThe pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timely action to avoid a collision with terrain.Aug 27, 2020 · N628JB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA261Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Kernville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around, which resulted in an impact with terrain.Aug 8, 2020 · N327MN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20WA376Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCanadair CL215 1A10 · Lobios (Ourense), PortugalThe Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes y Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC) of Spain has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Canadair CL-215-1A10 airplane, which occurred on August 8, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S Accredited…Aug 8, 2020 · EC-HET · Substantial damageNTSB GAA20WA126Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Blatten - VS, SwitzerlandThe government of Switzerland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 172 airplane that occurred on July 25, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Switzerland's investigation under the…Jul 25, 2020 · HB-TLF · DestroyedNTSB ANC20CA070Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.Jul 16, 2020 · N1432D · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA275Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCondor Condor · Freedom, WIThe pilot's failure to initiate a climb in a timely manner which resulted in contact with wires.Jul 5, 2020 · N3502X · Substantial damageNTSB GAA20WA113Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Strzegom city, PolandThe government of Poland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R22 helicopter that occurred on June 30, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Poland's investigation under the provisions…Jun 30, 2020 · SP-HBOG · DestroyedNTSB GAA20WA112Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Vereda Brisas de Guaiquitia, ColombiaJun 22, 2020 · HK-1042 · DestroyedNTSB CEN20CA240Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Sheffield, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fence while hovering.Jun 21, 2020 · N298TH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenair CH601 · Maricopa, AZThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness and descent below pattern altitude during the landing approach, which resulted in collision with terrain at night.Jun 10, 2020 · N6402X · DestroyedNTSB ERA20LA188Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVaughn Challenger · Clarksville, TNThe loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.May 16, 2020 · N97KV · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20LA046Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot’s controlled flight into flat snow-covered terrain in weather conditions that were conducive to flat light conditions.May 15, 2020 · N5454E · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArion Lightning LS-1 · Mount Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the…Apr 10, 2020 · N81DJ · DestroyedNTSB ANC20CA041Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18A · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which necessitated a go-around, and her subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain.Apr 7, 2020 · N2791P · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA136Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IAThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · DestroyedNTSB CEN20WA135Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, MexicoThe government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on March 15, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions of…Mar 15, 2020 · XB-VOO · DestroyedNTSB ANC20CA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Feb 21, 2020 · N716JL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20WA124Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150 · Les Cedres, CanadaThe government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 150 airplane that occurred on February 17, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the provisions…Feb 17, 2020 · C-GYEV · DestroyedNTSB WPR20FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 140 · Sonora, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach for landing.Feb 6, 2020 · N9474A · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20FA017Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Tuntutuliak, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility, including likely flat light and/or white out conditions, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the operator’s inadequate operational…Feb 6, 2020 · N7632C · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20WA102Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Tuzantan, MexicoOn January 25, 2020, about 1858 hours universal coordinated time, a Robinson R-44II helicopter, Mexican registration XB-KQV, impacted terrain near Tuzantan, Chiapas, Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Ángel Albino Corzo / Tuxtla…Jan 25, 2020 · XB-KQV · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20WA083Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Tangalooma, AustraliaThe government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 182 airplane that occurred on January 22, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…Jan 22, 2020 · VH-WNR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FA067Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Jacksonville, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy wires associated with a tower while maneuvering at low altitude.Jan 20, 2020 · N4763X · DestroyedNTSB WPR20FA063Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TR182 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight.Jan 12, 2020 · N736YU · DestroyedNTSB WPR20FA057Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportThunder Mustang TM-1 · Santa Clarita, CAEngine detonation that resulted in material deformation of the crankcase and led to engine failure and restricted cockpit visibility.Jan 4, 2020 · N151WR · Destroyed