# Fatal NTSB investigations: Altitude deviation 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA214.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 26, 2026 · N8656L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > On May 26, 2026, about 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8656L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saratoga Springs, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code… - [NTSB ERA24FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA136.md): Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra · Hot Springs, VA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 10, 2024 · N1125A · Destroyed > The PIC’s continuation of an unstabilized approach in gusting wind conditions and his failure to monitor the airplane’s altitude during the approach, which led to a descent into terrain short of the runway. Contributing was the flight crew’s failure to set… - [NTSB ERA24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA053.md): Beech C23 · Midland, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 3, 2023 · N76SB · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to descend below the minimum decision altitude of the instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual references distinctively identified and with the visibility and ceiling below the minimum that was prescribed for the… - [NTSB WPR23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA257.md): Cessna 550 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N819KR · Destroyed > The flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,… - [NTSB ERA23FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA219.md): Cessna 182 · Reliance, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 7, 2023 · N725AS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in… - [NTSB WPR22FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA215.md): Beech E35 · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 18, 2022 · N13AR · Destroyed > The pilots’ failure to climb and complete a normal traffic pattern after making a low approach and their failure to extend the flaps for reasons that could not be determined, and the flight instructor’s failure to ensure adequate airspeed and bank control… - [NTSB WPR22FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA197.md): Cessna 208B · Oceanside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 3, 2022 · N7581F · Substantial damage > The right-seated pilot’s failure to correct the left-seated pilot’s mismanagement of the engine thrust, which resulted in undesired speed and thrust oscillations during the final approach and a subsequent descent into terrain. - [NTSB ERA22FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA004.md): Dassault Falcon 20 · Thomson, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2021 · N283SA · Destroyed > The flight crew’s continuation of an unstable dark night visual approach and the captain’s instruction to use air brakes during the approach contrary to airplane operating limitations, which resulted in a descent below the glide path, and a collision with… - [NTSB WPR19FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA080.md): Cessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions. - [NTSB CEN19LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA051.md): Piper PA 23 · Beaver Island, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2018 · N2146P · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see a visible horizon due to the dark night lighting conditions and limited… - [NTSB CEN18FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA387.md): Beech 200 · Oscoda, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2018 · N241CK · Destroyed > The pilot's descent below minimum descent altitude during the nonprecision instrument approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [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 WPR17FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA085.md): Piper PA 46-310P · Harrisburg, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2017 · N123SB · Destroyed > An encounter with a downburst during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to solicit and disseminate pilot reports from arriving and departing… - [NTSB CEN17FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA072.md): Cessna 525 · Cleveland, OH · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2016 · N614SB · Destroyed > Controlled flight into terrain due to pilot spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue, mode confusion related to the status of the autopilot, and negative learning transfer due to flight guidance panel and attitude indicator… - [NTSB ERA17FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA074.md): Independent Technologies Epic LT · Port Orange, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2016 · N669WR · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to fly a stabilized approach… - [NTSB WPR16FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA158.md): Piper PA 34-200T · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2016 · N82806 · Destroyed > A departure flight path that consisted of several unexplained turns during the initial climbout, and terminated in a high-speed descent and ground impact. The reason(s) for the turns and descent could not be determined due to lack of definitive evidence. - [NTSB WPR16FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA097.md): Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Henderson, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2016 · N330MT · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to monitor and maintain clearance with terrain while maneuvering at low level. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot's failure to conduct an adequate amount of clearing turns while maneuvering at low level. - [NTSB CEN16FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA158.md): Beech 65 A90 1 · Slidell, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2016 · N7MC · Destroyed > The unstable approach in black-hole conditions, resulting in the airplane overshooting the runway extended centerline and descending well below a safe glidepath for the runway. Contributing to the accident was the lack of monitoring by the copilot allowing… - [NTSB ERA16FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA143.md): Robinson R44 · Canadensis, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2016 · N776JM · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds. - [NTSB ERA15FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA178.md): Hughes 369D · Cherokee, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2015 · N555JC · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN15FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA136.md): Cessna 441 · Argyle, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 5, 2015 · N441TG · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin at a low altitude. - [NTSB WPR15FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA082.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Tooele, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2015 · N383GM · Substantial damage > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to depart into low visibility conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance due to his use of the sedating antihistamine,… - [NTSB ERA14LA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA424.md): Socata TBM 700 · Caribbean Sea, A1 · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2014 · N900KN · Destroyed > The design of the cabin pressurization system, which made it prone to unnecessary shutdown, combined with a checklist design that prioritized troubleshooting over ensuring that the pilot was sufficiently protected from hypoxia. This resulted in a loss of… - [NTSB WPR14FA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA262.md): Mooney M20B · Page, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 2014 · N74584 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a canyon in high-density altitude conditions. - [NTSB ERA14WA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14WA148.md): Zivko Aeronautics Edge 540T · Al Khor, Qatar · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Mar 7, 2014 · N149WA · Substantial damage > On March 17, 2014, about 1725 local time, a Zivko Aeronautics Edge 540T, N149WA, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an airshow performance at Al Khor Airport (OTBK), Al Khor, Qatar. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The… - [NTSB ERA14FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA138.md): Beech F33 · Lumberport, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2014 · N7203E · Destroyed > A stroke or cardiovascular event, which resulted in the pilot’s acute impairment or incapacitation and his subsequent flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN14FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA110.md): Cessna 310R · Waterford, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 2014 · N3829G · Destroyed > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain during an instrument landing system approach at night in instrument flight rules conditions. Contributing to the accident were the operator's inadequate training of the pilot, the operator's failure to provide a… - [NTSB WPR14FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA094.md): Beech B36TC · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2013 · N36ML · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued flight into known light-to-moderate icing conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to induction icing. - [NTSB ERA13FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA064.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Canton, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2012 · N8826J · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a night visual approach to an airport. Contributing to the accident were the dark night and the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night. - [NTSB ERA13FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA032.md): Swift Museum Foundation GC-1A · East Moriches, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 2012 · N80823 · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, while attempting a precautionary landing for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s pitch-up reaction to birds that took flight during his… - [NTSB ERA12FA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA483.md): Cessna 172P · Plainville, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2012 · N64182 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in visual meteorological conditions, resulting in collision with a berm. - [NTSB WPR12FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA154.md): Cessna T182 · Ludlow, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2012 · N5201F · Substantial damage > The in-flight loss of control due to the pilot’s impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above 12,500 feet without the aid of supplemental oxygen. - [NTSB WPR12MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12MA034.md): Eurocopter EC 130 B4 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2011 · N11QV · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while operating in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in the impact of the horizontal stabilizer and lower forward portion of the fenestron with ground and/or vegetation and led to… - [NTSB ERA11FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA219.md): Beech 58 · Greensboro, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2011 · N569JL · Substantial damage > The pilot’s spatial disorientation due to a somatogravic illusion while conducting a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into objects and terrain. - [NTSB ERA11FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA102.md): Cessna 310F · Orange, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2011 · N6725X · Substantial damage > The pilot did not maintain separation from trees during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and lack of recent night flight experience. - [NTSB ERA11FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA070.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Destin, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2010 · N548C · Substantial damage > Controlled flight into water due to the pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude. - [NTSB ERA10LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA113.md): Foster John Glasair III · Oxford, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2010 · N540WF · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path during visual conditions at dusk, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines. - [NTSB CEN09FA562](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA562.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Tulsa, OK · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2009 · N1228H · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and an in-flight collision with a radio tower guy wire. - [NTSB CEN09WA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA082.md): Learjet Lear 23 · Tlaxcala, Mexico · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 8, 2008 · XC-LGD · Substantial damage > On December 7, 2008 at approximately 1815 central standard time (CST) a twin-engine turbo fan, Learjet 23, Mexican Registration XC-LGD, was destroyed when it impacted a lake while on final approach to an unlit day visual flight rules airport near Tlaxcala,… - [NTSB ERA09FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA060.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Smithfield, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2008 · N2316P · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB MIA08MA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08MA203.md): Aerospatiale SA365N-1 D · District Heights, MD · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 28, 2008 · N92MD · Substantial damage > The pilot's attempt to regain visual conditions by performing a rapid descent and his failure to arrest the descent at the minimum descent altitude during a nonprecision approach. Contributing to the accident were (1) the pilot’s limited recent instrument… - [NTSB NYC08FA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA157.md): Cartwright H Jr/Cottrell M RV-10 · Seale, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2008 · N210HM · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions and the pilot-in-command's lack of flight experience in the accident airplane. - [NTSB NYC08MA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08MA090.md): Raytheon C90A · Mount Airy, NC · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2008 · N57WR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to descend below the minimum descent altitude, and failure to follow the published missed approach… ## 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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '282' 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/282/sequence?fatal=1 --- 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.