# Terrain induced turbulence - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030320) › Terrain induced turbulence - NTSB code: 03032010 - Cases: 70 - In the probable cause: 38 - Fatal cases: 24 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 5 / 5 - 2009: 0 / 5 - 2010: 1 / 3 - 2011: 3 / 7 - 2012: 1 / 4 - 2013: 4 / 6 - 2014: 0 / 3 - 2015: 2 / 6 - 2016: 4 / 5 - 2017: 1 / 1 - 2018: 2 / 5 - 2019: 3 / 4 - 2020: 3 / 3 - 2021: 2 / 3 - 2022: 2 / 3 - 2023: 3 / 3 - 2024: 2 / 4 ## Defining events in these cases - [Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360): 22 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 19 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 5 cases - [Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390): 4 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 3 cases - [Mast bumping](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/245): 2 cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 2 cases - [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 2 cases - [Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090): 2 cases - [Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 3 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases - [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j): 2 cases - [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l): 2 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 2 cases - [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76): 2 cases - [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-meilec-pzl-m18b): 1 cases - [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d): 1 cases - [Doktor Fiberglas H101 SALTO](https://openairdocs.org/model/doktor-fiberglas-h101-salto): 1 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 40 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 22 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 13 cases - [Downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035) (Environmental issues): 9 cases - [Mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010) (Environmental issues): 8 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 8 cases - [Climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010) (Aircraft): 5 cases - [Climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035) (Aircraft): 4 cases - [Lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023) (Aircraft): 4 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 4 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA24LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA317), Jul 14, 2024: Mooney M20J (N8201R), Montauk, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in terrain induced turbulence, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion. - [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063), Jul 11, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N144KW), Kekaha, HI, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB WPR24FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA185), Jun 8, 2024: Rans S-12XL Airaile (N518D), Picacho Peak, AZ, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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… - [NTSB ERA24LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA247), Jun 5, 2024: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 (N208DB), Southampton Township, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low approach and subsequent go-around in turbulent wind conditions. - [NTSB WPR24LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA021), Oct 20, 2023: Cessna 152 (N6308Q), The Dalles, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s encounter with severe turbulence at night which resulted in an extended downwind and collision with wires during the base turn. - [NTSB CEN23FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA174), May 6, 2023: Pool Cessna R172 (N15188), Victor, CO, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s… - [NTSB WPR23FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA137), Mar 21, 2023: Cessna 182S (N314FR), Alcova, WY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB WPR23LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA062), Dec 10, 2022: Cessna 172N (N422B), Socorro, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and loss of control in gusting wind. - [NTSB DCA23LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA086), Nov 30, 2022: Boeing 737 (N946WN), Denver, CO, no damage. Probable cause: The flight’s encounter with mechanical turbulence. - [NTSB CEN22LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA380), Aug 7, 2022: Cessna 172 (N171Q), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in turbulent weather conditions. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- 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.