NTSB investigations, CA

143 cases where NTSB found Altitude.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, CA per year, 2008–2026: 143 cases
200816
20098
20108
201112
20129
201310
201411
20156
20165
201715
20186
20195
20208
20216
20226
20237
20242
20252
20261

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 c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01062012'))
  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 WPR26LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Montague, CAThe pilot’s inability to see and avoid a piece of loose wire in a field during an off-airport landing in a glider, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to maintain a safe position behind the tow airplane…Jul 15, 2026 · N920KB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA112Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Waterford, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.Mar 15, 2025 · N402TA · DestroyedNTSB WPR25LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206A · Lemoore, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.Jan 14, 2025 · N6255N · DestroyedNTSB WPR25LA039Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32-300 · Pomona, CAA total loss of engine power during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.Nov 17, 2024 · N617ET · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA186Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman/Schweizer G-164D · Richvale, CAThe pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain.Jun 8, 2024 · N6736K · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA302Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Cabazon, CAThe Skycrane flight crew’s decision to enter the Fire Traffic Area’s 7-nm NOCOM ring at an altitude significantly above their maximum cleared altitude, which resulted in their need for an aggressive descent into congested airspace and subsequent failure to…Aug 7, 2023 · N555AS · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA245Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CAThe pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.Jun 26, 2023 · N26DX · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Diego, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.May 24, 2023 · N791AM · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.Mar 24, 2023 · N14Z · DestroyedNTSB WPR23LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · San Diego, CAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering to another runway after the engine cowling opened shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the student pilot and flight instructor to conduct an adequate…Jan 15, 2023 · N9687J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA082Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Watsonville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.Jan 1, 2023 · N7181A · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA375Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Waiex · Maxwell, CAA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons that resulted in an impact with terrain.Aug 9, 2022 · N51YX · DestroyedNTSB WPR22LA259Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB21 · San Marcos, CAThe failure of the mechanical fuel pump due to internal friction for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Jul 17, 2022 · N718TB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA225Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-6 · Tahoe Vista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent water ditching.Jun 20, 2022 · N536LS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMeyer Fred J Hornet · Lucerne Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain.Jun 2, 2022 · N6366M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA150Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CAThe gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.Apr 8, 2022 · N212NM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA144Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Alpine, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while operating in a canyon, which resulted in an impact with terrainMar 19, 2022 · N42764 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA068Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…Dec 28, 2021 · N880Z · DestroyedNTSB WPR22LA069Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Auburn, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.Dec 22, 2021 · N6280F · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 21, 2021 · N291KT · DestroyedNTSB WPR22LA007Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · San Juan Baptista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing.Oct 9, 2021 · N87R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212HP · Weed, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an approach to a lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to release the full water bucket as the helicopter was settling, which reduced the helicopter’s out-of-ground-effect performance.Jul 7, 2021 · N911KW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46R-350T · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s encounter with mountain wave activity with severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.Feb 14, 2021 · N40TS · DestroyedNTSB 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 WPR20CA273Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS233 · Warner Springs, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.Aug 14, 2020 · N7547 · 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 WPR20LA169Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 175 · Redlands, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent impact with terrain.Jun 5, 2020 · N9217B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA153Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAyres S 2R · Artois, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a go-around.May 23, 2020 · N5573X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA141Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Byron, CAThe tow airplane pilot’s loss of control resulting from the glider pilot’s failure to maintain a proper altitude behind the tow airplane, which caused the tail of the tow airplane to be lifted upward and the tow airplane to pitch nose down while at a low…May 9, 2020 · N4116Y · DestroyedNTSB WPR20CA127Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportFLIGHTstar 2 · Oakdale, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to take off through a large helicopter’s rotor wash, which resulted in his inability to gain altitude during takeoff.Apr 21, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB 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 WPR19FA175Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Two Harbors, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Jun 18, 2019 · N7187D · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Copperopolis, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.Jun 16, 2019 · N209H · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA163Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Antioch, CAA loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.Jun 10, 2019 · N7943C · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.May 15, 2019 · N236AM · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA080Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CAThe 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.Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA237Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Descanso, CAThe pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,…Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe 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…May 11, 2018 · N803FC · DestroyedNTSB WPR18LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Stockton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.Mar 27, 2018 · N3629E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA107Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · Browns Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines.Mar 18, 2018 · N1951B · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA140Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CAThe pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.Feb 24, 2018 · N630ML · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Skyforest, CAThe pilot’s failure to establish the proper airspeed after departure and to maintain adequate clearance from a ridgeline in high-density and downdraft conditions and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an…Jan 17, 2018 · N5562Q · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18CA048Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172P · Valley Springs, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering for landing and his decision to land on a surface with obstructions.Dec 14, 2017 · N54873 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA551Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Santa Barbara, CAThe student pilot’s unstabilized hover, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.Sep 24, 2017 · N177SR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bolinas, CAThe non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.Sep 7, 2017 · N737QQ · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA404Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 · King Vale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.Jul 11, 2017 · N357PJ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChicco Miguel E Quicksilver Sport II · Point Mugu, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination in combination with the low cruise altitude selected by the pilots, which resulted in an ocean ditching. The lack of personal flotation devices likely…Jul 8, 2017 · N2812NTSB GAA17CA375Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportUrbanczyk Miroslaw Radio Flyer · Tehachapi, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from residential buildings and trees in gusting wind conditions.Jun 30, 2017 · N385MU · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Carpinteria, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Jun 10, 2017 · N2171D · Substantial damage