# 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.

Page 2 of 3 · 104 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [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 CEN16LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA076.md): Beech 200 · Gary, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2015 · N999VB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the glidepath and appropriate airspeed during landing in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA077.md): Piper PA 28 · California, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N432FL · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA16CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA011.md): Cessna 172M · McMinnville, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 2, 2015 · N20488 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's approach path during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with runway threshold lights. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to attain and maintain the…
- [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 GAA15CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA005.md): Cessna 208B · Muskegon, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2015 · N12155 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing when the airplane was not in a safe position to land, resulting in the collision with ground-based approach lighting.
- [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 CEN14LA480](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA480.md): Cessna 188 · Hearne, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2014 · N878C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a crop.
- [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 CEN14IA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14IA139.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Gunnison, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2014 · N18DN · Minor damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to initiate the flight into an area with forecast icing conditions, which resulted in an encounter with in-flight icing conditions that prevented the airplane from being able to maintain altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA129.md): Cessna 525 · Elk City, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2014 · N61YP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s descent below the published minimum descent altitude for the instrument approach procedure, which resulted in impact with a utility pole.
- [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 ERA14CA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA025.md): Mooney M20TN · Tylertown, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 26, 2013 · N812PT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach resulting in touchdown prior to the runway, a runway excursion down the right side of the runway, and a collision with an embankment.
- [NTSB WPR13CA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA428.md): Cessna 182Q · Big Bear, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 28, 2013 · N759UP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized landing approach, which resulted in a collision with a fence short of the runway.
- [NTSB ERA13CA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA352.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Erwinna, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2013 · N1211S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper altitude and energy management in the landing pattern which resulted in the glider impacting a tree and landing short of the runway.
- [NTSB WPR13CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA260.md): Wampach Murphy Moose · Galt, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2013 · N331RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in an abnormal runway contact.
- [NTSB ERA13CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA310.md): Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Tullahoma, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2013 · N26EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of wing spoilers during approach resulting in an altitude loss and collision with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA13LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA169.md): Cameron Balloons US Z-105 · Homestead, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2013 · N4019A · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid obstructions during the approach to land, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [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 ERA12CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA454.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Benton, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2012 · N273BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent extension of the wing airbrakes, which resulted in a loss of lift and subsequent landing prior to the runway.
- [NTSB ANC12CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA042.md): Beech 1900C · McGrath, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2012 · N111AX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's unstable approach and overrotation, which resulted in a tailstrike.
- [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 ERA11CA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA365.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Bridgeport, CT · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2011 · N600DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a blast fence on final approach to land.
- [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 ERA11CA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA180.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Weston, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2011 · N4168W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and physical alertness which resulted in an in-flight collision with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue.
- [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 WPR11FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA073.md): Cessna T210M · Ogden, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2010 · N77CF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from obstacles after descending below the published approach decision height when visibility was less than published approach minimums due to heavy ground fog and he did not execute a missed approach after failing to…
- [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 WPR10LA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA427.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Sequim, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2010 · N5101L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper approach path and his delayed corrective actions, which resulted in an undershoot. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction from other aircraft in the area.
- [NTSB CEN10LA529](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA529.md): Piper Aerostar 601P · Baraboo, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2010 · N601PP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention during an approach for landing that resulted in an altitude loss and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN10CA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA365.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rogers, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2010 · N643TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach to land.
- [NTSB ERA10CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA319.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2010 · N7988H · Destroyed
  > The CFI's failure to prevent ground contact during hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB CEN10CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA163.md): Cessna 172S · Lawrence, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2010 · N99HV · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during approach. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to continue the approach instead of going around.
- [NTSB ERA10LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA162.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2010 · N103GK · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's failure to monitor the airspeed while the student performed a single-engine approach.
- [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 ERA10CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA011.md): Remos Remos G-3/ · Sims, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 8, 2009 · N18241 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude, resulting in controlled flight into water.
- [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…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?page=3

## 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."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?page=2

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