# Fatal NTSB investigations: Environmental issues

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 1 of 33 · 1,607 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA207.md): I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2 · Scotts Fork, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2026 · N8217W · Minor damage
  > The photographer’s failure to remain clear of an active taxiway.
- [NTSB ERA25FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA201.md): Piper PA32RT · Yulee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 10, 2025 · N30689 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the opening of the nose baggage door and subsequent distraction of the pilot…
- [NTSB WPR25FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA145.md): Champion 7ECA · Cottonwood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2025 · N6310N · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s delayed response to an improper landing approach and runway overshoot, which resulted in an impact with an airport perimeter fence and trees.
- [NTSB ERA25LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144.md): Schweizer 269C · Mogadore, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N262LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.
- [NTSB ERA25FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA143.md): Raytheon A36 · Greenville, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N566C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control shortly after climbing into instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation (somatogyral illusion).
- [NTSB WPR25FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA100.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Ririe, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2025 · N118LG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB DCA25MA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25MA108.md): Bombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DC · Accident · 67 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 30, 2025 · N709PS · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…
- [NTSB CEN25LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA075.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Batesville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2025 · N8569V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR25LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA080.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Round Mountain, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 2, 2025 · N4151R · Substantial damage
  > Impact with mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN25FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA047.md): Cessna 182T · Drake, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 23, 2024 · N434CP · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Contributing was mountain wave turbulence in the area.
- [NTSB ERA25FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA037.md): Cessna 150F · Wilder, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2024 · N8110S · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB ERA25FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA008.md): Cessna 336 · Savannah, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 14, 2024 · N336LV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power to both engines.
- [NTSB WPR24FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA309.md): Nanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2024 · N313YK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB ANC24FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA089.md): Bell 206B · King Salmon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 7, 2024 · N306FW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR24FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA298.md): Boeing A75L3 · Yacolt, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 6, 2024 · N53466 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain in moderately high density altitude conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA338.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Camden, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 5, 2024 · N602BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR24FA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA290.md): Aero Commander 200D · Novato, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 31, 2024 · N2912T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort takeoff or compensate for gusty crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN24FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N9626K · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR24FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA270.md): Cessna 182K · Augusta, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2024 · N2764Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA295.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Irene, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 31, 2024 · N903US · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA257.md): Pilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WY · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N357HE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an…
- [NTSB WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Izee, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N805DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB ERA24FA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA318.md): Beech A36 · Ronkonkoma, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 22, 2024 · N1089W · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of engine power and his decision to perform an intersection takeoff which, reduced…
- [NTSB ANC24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA069.md): Beech A35 · Gustavus, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2024 · N410B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24FA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA294.md): Cessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N2198G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.
- [NTSB WPR24FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA227.md): Fantasy Air Sro Allegro 2007 · Eureka, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2024 · N969RC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA226.md): Champion 7GCBC · Eatonville, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2024 · N3464D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA24LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA297.md): Buckeye Dream Machine · Bainbridge, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2024 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use.
- [NTSB ERA24FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA283.md): Piper PA46 · Trout Creek, NY · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N85PG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control in flight due to spatial disorientation during a climb to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN24FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA243.md): Waco YKC · Selden, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N14137 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which had not been forecast at the time of departure, and which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR24FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA215.md): Cessna 182 · Big Creek, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 28, 2024 · N6210A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to go around after descending below the recommended abort altitude with a slight tailwind and an over-gross-weight airplane, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to…
- [NTSB WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 21, 2024 · N331BS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…
- [NTSB ERA24FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA261.md): Piper PA28 · Siler City, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2024 · N515DH · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-speed, low-altitude left turn after encountering an undetermined issue during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR24FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA195.md): Luscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N37081 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA190.md): Cessna 177B · Elk River, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N34903 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while climbing in mountainous terrain during moderately high density altitude conditions, and conditions conducive to severe carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR24FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA185.md): Rans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N518D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA038.md): Schweizer G-164B · Richvale, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2024 · N3629Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.
- [NTSB ERA24LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA227.md): Brallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N446KW · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the overwater flight in conditions conducive to the…
- [NTSB WPR24FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA156.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 19, 2024 · N22MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.
- [NTSB ANC24FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA032.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2024 · N95744 · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.
- [NTSB ERA24FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA217.md): Beech V35 · Franklin, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2024 · N47WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…
- [NTSB CEN24FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA179.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Marianna, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 13, 2024 · N241PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA209.md): Rockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 5, 2024 · N690BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN24FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA164.md): Lancair Legacy FG · Spicewood, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2024 · N550NL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB CEN24FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA160.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Hartsburg, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 16, 2024 · N451MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the…
- [NTSB WPR24FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA124.md): Gulfstream 695A · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 14, 2024 · N965BC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued use of the airplane’s autopilot after flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA24FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA176.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03/cases.md?fatal=1&page=2

## 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '03'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03/cases?fatal=1

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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, except the copies of manufacturers’ service documents, which belong to their rights holders.