# NTSB investigations: Mountainous/hilly terrain

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 7 · 329 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA300.md): Cessna T206H · Marble, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2026 · N464PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the final approach in variable and gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were localized wind effects associated with mountainous terrain and with nearby convective activity.
- [NTSB WPR26LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA234.md): Piper PA-12 · Dixie, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2026 · N3013M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA123.md): Brunner Donald G Kitfox · Rock Crossing, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2026 · N104DG · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC25LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA085.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2025 · N232KT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA240.md): Cub Crafters CCK-1865 · La Garita, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2025 · N952SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
- [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 WPR25LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA006.md): Agustawestland AW109SP · Kamas, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2024 · N631HC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a confined area, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a hard landing.
- [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 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 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 ERA24LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Winokur, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N469GB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the unseating and subsequent failure of the No. 4 piston connection rod bushing.
- [NTSB WPR24FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA035.md): Cessna 172G · Provo, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N3971L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a chandelle maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to maneuver into a canyon and…
- [NTSB WPR24FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA024.md): Cessna T206H · Orangeville, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 27, 2023 · N915DV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR24FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA018.md): Beech A36 · Covelo, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2023 · N8248K · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after entering a steep banked turn for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off toward rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA001.md): Cubcrafters CCK-1865 · Twisp, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 1, 2023 · N56DV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a rock during an aborted landing on a hillside, the collision with which resulted in damage to the aileron system that precluded subsequent control of the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR23LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA322.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23FA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA296.md): Cessna T206H · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N918KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB ANC23FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA042.md): Cessna 180 · Shaktoolik, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 16, 2023 · N91361 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with gusting tailwind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a tree, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA223.md): Compagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon · Apache Junction, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2023 · N759F · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into the mountainous terrain due to diminished depth perception as a result of the shadowing effect from the sun’s position. Contributing to the accident was the decision by all three pilots to fly low altitude around the…
- [NTSB DCA23LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA290.md): General Atomics MQ-9 Block 1 · Elgin, AZ · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2023 · N31EJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness, resulting in the UAS’s controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA172.md): Cessna 172S · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.
- [NTSB ANC23FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA031.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 24, 2023 · N14Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA147.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+ · Franklin, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2023 · N558MT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to review an aircraft logbook while enroute, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA108.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.
- [NTSB WPR23LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA052.md): Rutan Long-EZ · Mountain Green, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 27, 2022 · N379W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s flight into a valley with rising terrain that the airplane was incapable of out-climbing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA360.md): Cessna 150L · Lyman, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2022 · N7471G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to exit the valley with rising terrain and failure to maintain clearance from trees.
- [NTSB CEN22LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA414.md): Cessna 172M · Fort Collins, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2022 · N9049H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
- [NTSB ERA22LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA363.md): Cessna 150H · Ellenville, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 7, 2022 · N50439 · Substantial damage
  > Both pilots’ decision to perform the takeoff near maximum gross weight with 10° of flaps, contrary to the owner’s manual procedure, which resulted in the airplane’s degraded climb performance approaching high terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA307.md): Mooney M20F · Cragsmoor, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N600FS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue toward rising terrain despite observing the airplane’s decreased climb performance after takeoff, which resulted in flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA238.md): Piper PA20 · Challis, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2022 · N1231C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's turn towards rising terrain with limited climb performance and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain that resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA164.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2022 · N321PF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.
- [NTSB CEN22LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA176.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Twin Lakes, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 13, 2022 · N112TR · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the left turbocharger at FL230, which resulted in a rapid loss of manifold pressure and subsequent complete loss of engine power due to an overly rich fuel-air mixture setting. Contributing was the smoke in the cabin in IMC, which caused the…
- [NTSB ANC22LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA029.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2022 · N135ES · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s excessive touchdown speed, which resulted in a long landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA150.md): Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2022 · N212NM · Substantial damage
  > The gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA144.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Alpine, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 19, 2022 · N42764 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while operating in a canyon, which resulted in an impact with terrain
- [NTSB WPR22FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA021.md): Cessna 150L · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2021 · N5268Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA001.md): Beech S35 · Andrews, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 3, 2021 · N876T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.
- [NTSB ANC21LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA088.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2021 · N7MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and nose over.
- [NTSB WPR21LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA332.md): Cessna 172P · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2021 · N51547 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate inflight navigation and the flight instructors delayed remedial action which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR21LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA341.md): Robinson R44 · Camp Verde, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2021 · N544SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR21FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA330.md): Cessna TU206F · Bernard, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2021 · N922MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the flight into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees an terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA353.md): Embraer EMB-505 · Banner Elk, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 26, 2021 · N413N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to achieve the approach criteria for the available runway landing distances published in the POH, likely as a result of the steeper-than-normal approach and the required left turn on short final to avoid the terrain surrounding the…
- [NTSB WPR21FA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA321.md): Cessna 182H · Bountiful, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 16, 2021 · N8477S · Destroyed
  > The decision of both pilots to fly into a steep canyon, which resulted in the airplane being unable to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was their delayed initial action in responding to the hazard, and their…
- [NTSB CEN21FA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA305.md): Hawker Beechcraft G36 · Aspen, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 4, 2021 · N36JJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to navigate through mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA251.md): Stinson 108-3 · Stevenson, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2021 · N6548M · Destroyed
  > A runway incursion, which resulted in a go-around, and subsequent forced landing when the airplane was not able to climb at a rate sufficient to clear approaching rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21FA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA211.md): Textron 172S · Eden, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 29, 2021 · N1727T · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s improper aeronautical decision-making, which led to an encounter with a downdraft at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and resulted in the instructor’s loss of airplane control and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21FA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA177.md): Magnus Fusion 212 · Conifer, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 3, 2021 · N434MA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude toward a mountainous canyon, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid rising terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR21LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA107.md): Hughes OH-6A · Horseshoe Bend, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 5, 2021 · N6639R · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a leak in the fuel cell outlet valve.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/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", '03021010'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases

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