# NTSB investigations: Terrain, general

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 6 · 267 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC25LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA121.md): Maule M-4-210C · Lime Village, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 18, 2025 · N4612T · Substantial damage
  > A collision with terrain during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR25LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA246.md): Hiller UH-12E · Fobes Hill, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 11, 2025 · N703WA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA265.md): Bell 407 · Raft River, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…
- [NTSB CEN24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA069.md): Aero Commander 100 · Texarkana, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2023 · N4104X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to attempt a go-around with full flaps extended, which resulted in decreased climb performance and led to a collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN24LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA002.md): Cessna 182R · Olathe, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2023 · N357HT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN23LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA357.md): Piper PA25 · Hartington, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N8847L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misperception of the rising terrain resulting in a collision with crops and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA300.md): Acrosport II · Hertford, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 12, 2023 · N827JA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with vegetation.
- [NTSB CEN23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Light, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N6678Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.
- [NTSB CEN23LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA006.md): Aerostar International S53A · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2022 · N9140F · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s inability to find a suitable landing area in a critical fuel situation and his decision to land on a highway, which resulted in the balloon impacting a bridge railing and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA002.md): Champion 7KCAB · Danville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N869TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot decision to perform a precautionary landing to a field with obstacles which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
- [NTSB WPR22LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA305.md): Hughes Helicopters 369E · Ely, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 15, 2022 · N500AR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN22LA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA384.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Kearney, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2022 · N5253P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA21LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA294.md): Turbine Cubs Of Wyoming PA-18 Super CUB · Dinwiddie, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N507TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control while taxiing on soft ground, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ERA21LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA307.md): Cessna 150 · Carrollton, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2021 · N561QL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incorrect preflight planning and poor in-flight planning, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the damage was the inadvertent encounter with a hole during the forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR21FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA232.md): Kitfox Series 6 · Likely, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N617Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA250.md): Vans RV9 · West Portsmouth, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2021 · N20YY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper use of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA21FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA154.md): Beech B36 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 15, 2021 · N236BC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s likely activation of the auxiliary fuel pump to “high” for undetermined reasons during takeoff, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to an excessively rich fuel-to-air mixture. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s…
- [NTSB ANC21LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA002.md): Cessna 185 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 20, 2020 · N850WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion onto soft terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot while…
- [NTSB CEN20LA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA422.md): Aeronca 7AC · St. Clairsville, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N81624 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots improper fuel planning that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN20LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA360.md): Cessna 180 · St Louis, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2020 · N7620A · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to improper maintenance of the mixture control cable and attachment hardware, which led to a forced landing into a congested area.
- [NTSB WPR20LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA278.md): Piper PA28 · Harlowton, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 14, 2020 · N317LB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to follow the appropriate takeoff procedures, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA261.md): Cessna 177RG · Salinas, PR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2020 · N1813Q · Substantial damage
  > Contamination and corrosion within the fuel system that resulted in a blockage, starvation of fuel to the engine, and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN20CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA152.md): Cessna 172 · Enid, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 16, 2020 · N737RR · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a power-off approach and go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion onto a field.
- [NTSB CEN20LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA107.md): Zenith CH601 · Cabool, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 29, 2020 · N601ND · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 1 cylinder piston for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA058.md): Piper PA46 · Bandera, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 11, 2020 · N350XL · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight electrical fire, which resulted in smoke in the cabin and an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the emergency landing.
- [NTSB CEN20LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA017.md): Socata TB 30 Epsilon · Kalamazoo, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 1, 2019 · N50TB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the pilot’s attempted forced landing at low altitude and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA005.md): Bede BD5 · Camarillo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2019 · N501BD · Substantial damage
  > The No. 4 connecting rod’s bearing shift and separation of the No. 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA326.md): Vans Vans RV-10 · Lancaster, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2019 · N569JC · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a faulty magneto/ignition system, which resulting in a forced landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA501](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA501.md): Champion 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2019 · N87010 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's overapplication of brakes during landing on unimproved terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA19CA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA361.md): Quicksilver Aircraft Northeast Sport · Ledgedale, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N418RB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in the precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA072.md): Bell 407 · Zaleski, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2019 · N191SF · Destroyed
  > The NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was Survival Flight's inadequate management of safety, which normalized pilots' and operations control specialists' noncompliance with risk analysis procedures and resulted in the initiation of the…
- [NTSB ERA19LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA031.md): Cessna 182 · Elba, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 28, 2018 · N20BK · Substantial damage
  > A leak in the pitot-static system for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in an airspeed indication error, an aborted takeoff, and a subsequent runway overrun.
- [NTSB ERA19LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA030.md): Piper PA28 · Simsbury, CT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2018 · N8132X · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the wheel brake system during the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the pilot's inability to control the airplane during the landing.
- [NTSB ERA19LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA004.md): Piper PA 24-180 · Smithville, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2018 · N8371P · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice that formed during an extended ground delay.
- [NTSB ERA18LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA259.md): Cessna 152 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2018 · N6469P · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to a fractured exhaust valve, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and a subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB ERA18TA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA236.md): Cessna 182 · Hanson, MA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 27, 2018 · N3115R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind.
- [NTSB ERA18TA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA222.md): Globe GC1B · Wellington, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N80932 · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a sticking intake valve on the No. 3 cylinder.
- [NTSB CEN18LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA332.md): Aero Commander S2R · Westbrook, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2018 · N5521X · Substantial damage
  > A runway excursion during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB GAA18CA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA323.md): Cessna 172 · Fuquay Varina, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2018 · N1305B · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from overgrown brush during taxi, which resulted in entanglement with the brush and a subsequent impact with a tree.
- [NTSB GAA18CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA262.md): Cessna 182 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 7, 2018 · N632EP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight in mountainous terrain with downdraft conditions, which necessitated a precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB ERA18LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA110.md): Besarick Skybolt · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2018 · N27265 · Destroyed
  > A substantial oil leak, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and failure of the No. 2 connecting rod.
- [NTSB ANC18LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA021.md): Foxfly Foxdominator · Indiantown, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 25, 2018 · N412MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to attempt to take off in the gyroplane in strong gusting crosswind conditions, with insufficient distance to safely abort, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a ditch and road embankment.
- [NTSB CEN18FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA078.md): Bell UH-1H · Raton, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2018 · N658H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA034.md): Cessna 172P · San Jose, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Nov 19, 2017 · N52492 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to execute an emergency landing and his attempt to return to the airport following a partial loss of power due to wear on internal engine components, which prevented the engine from developing full-rated power during the…
- [NTSB WPR18CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA028.md): Still Michael J Titan T-51 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2017 · N651P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.
- [NTSB CEN18FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA009.md): Cessna 182H · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N8338S · Substantial damage
  > Controlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR18LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA002.md): Cessna 172S · Tonopah, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2017 · N5311H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follow the POH emergency procedures, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent loss of…
- [NTSB GAA17CA528](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA528.md): Cessna 152 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2017 · N89732 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA17LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA288.md): Smith AEROSTAR601 · Marietta, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2017 · N7108 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model.
- [NTSB GAA17CA492](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA492.md): Cessna 182 · Quitman, MS · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 12, 2017 · N147DD · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions after passing a large hill.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '03021000'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases

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