# NTSB investigations, 1997: Approach

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 · 261 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB NYC98LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA058.md): Aerospatiale AS-355 · New York, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1997 · N355DS · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed on final approach with a tailwind, and his failure to perform a go-around in a timely manner. A factor in the accident was the strong tailwind.
- [NTSB FTW98LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA083.md): Cessna R172K · Lakeview, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1997 · N736VQ · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during the approach, and his delayed decision to execute a go-around. A related factor was the sunglare interfering with the pilot's view.
- [NTSB CHI98LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA076.md): Beech 35-33 · Chesterfield, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1997 · N627V · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to position the fuel selector to the proper fuel tank which led to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB NYC98LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA051.md): Piper J-3C-65 · Albany, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 1997 · N1469N · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to turn off the carburetor heat during the go-around. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of experience in make and model, and the proximity of trees.
- [NTSB CHI98LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA072.md): Piper PA-30/A · Hastings, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1997 · N9WG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper IFR procedure, by which he failed to maintain minimum descent altitude. Fog, a low ceiling, and night condition were a contributing factor.
- [NTSB ATL98FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98FA030.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Tallahassee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1997 · N8074Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in collision with a power transmission line.
- [NTSB LAX98LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA062.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Healdsburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1997 · N8805P · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's misjudged distance and altitude relationship to the runway during a short field approach, which resulted in an undershoot and a hard landing.
- [NTSB FTW98FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA074.md): Beech A100 · Colo Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1997 · N100BE · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to follow IFR Procedures and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA). A related factor was fog.
- [NTSB NYC98FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA047.md): Cady LONG-EZ · West Milford, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1997 · N18CC · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice. Carburetor icing conditions and terrain conditions were contributing factors.
- [NTSB CHI98LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA064.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Wichita, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1997 · N6377L · Substantial damage
  > the pilot-in-command misjudged the fuel supply and selected an empty fuel tank which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain encountered when the airplane touched down short of the runway.
- [NTSB NYC98LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA046.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 1997 · N2932X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper distance and altitude during approach which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB ANC98LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA012.md): Cessna 207 · Alakanuk, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1997 · N707FY · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's mismanagement of the airplane's fuel which led to the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB SEA98FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA023.md): Aero Commander 690A · Yakima, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1997 · N72VF · Destroyed
  > A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI98LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA061.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sturtevant, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1997 · N5454S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of altitude/distance and her failure to maintain adequate visual lookout. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. A contributing factor was the pilot experiencing a visual illusion.
- [NTSB ATL98FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98FA023.md): Beech A100 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1997 · N30SA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued approach below decision height without reference to the runway environment, and his failure to execute a missed approach.
- [NTSB LAX98LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA056.md): Johnson Bushrod · Corona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1997 · N6232F · Destroyed
  > An in-flight loss of control resulting from a malfunction in the wing flap operating system. The malfunction produced asymmetrical drag and induced a roll which could not be overcome by the pilot's flight control inputs.
- [NTSB CHI98LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA057.md): Cessna 402A · Milwaukee, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1997 · N728QA · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB LAX98LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA053.md): McDonnell Douglas 369HS · Saipan, India · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1997 · N9068F · Destroyed
  > The failure of the maintenance facility to comply with the service bulletins, which resulted in the development of a corrosion pit, subsequent leakage and failure of the acceleration bellows of the fuel control.
- [NTSB SEA98LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA019.md): Blue Denney Kitfox Model 3 · Caldwell, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 1997 · N89DD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.
- [NTSB LAX98LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA049.md): Cessna T210N · Union City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1997 · N1396U · Substantial damage
  > Blockage of the fuel flow transducer, which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. Unsuitable terrain for an emergency landing was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW98LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA060.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Lubbock, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1997 · N6661P · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance of the landing gear assembly by maintenance personnel resulting in a partial gear extension, and the pilot's misjudgment of a proper touchdown point to intentionally shut down the engine resulting in the airplane landing short of…
- [NTSB CHI98LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA050.md): Cessna 402B · Spencer, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1997 · N22NC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.
- [NTSB NYC98FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA035.md): Cessna 310R · St Mary'S, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1997 · N6923 · Destroyed
  > was the pilot's descent below the minimum descent altitude and his failure to comply with published procedures.
- [NTSB MIA98LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA036.md): Cessna 172G · Hazel Green, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1997 · N3908L · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX98LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA046.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Saipan, Mali · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1997 · N1256H · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons that resulted in the pilot ditching the aircraft into the ocean.
- [NTSB LAX98FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA045.md): Cessna 152 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1997 · N757FT · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The solo student's failure to see and follow the other aircraft on the downwind as he had been instructed. Factors influencing this accident was the failure of the pilots in the other aircraft to see and avoid the aircraft encroaching on his flight path; the…
- [NTSB FTW98LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA061.md): Cessna 172N · Watkins, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1997 · N738LC · Substantial damage
  > loss of engine power for undertermined reason(s).
- [NTSB CHI98LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA044.md): Cessna 152 · Woodstock, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1997 · N49908 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the powerlines on short final. The location of the powerlines was a related factor.
- [NTSB CHI98LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA045.md): Piper PA-28 · Lakeville, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1997 · N1447H · Substantial damage
  > geese that were encounter on an ILS final approach. Darkness was a related factor.
- [NTSB ATL98LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA014.md): Cessna 182A · Waycross, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1997 · N48310 · Substantial damage
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX98LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA041.md): Rans S91 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1997 · N9291T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin during the forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.
- [NTSB ATL98LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA013.md): Cessna 182P · Opa Locka, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1997 · N45834 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and failure to maintain clearance above the ground while attempting a VFR approach to an airport with low clouds. The low clouds (ceiling) and condition of light at dusk were related factors.
- [NTSB FTW98LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA053.md): Cessna 177RG · Tomball, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1997 · N88WC · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power resulting from the loss of oil and resultant seizure of a cylinder due to inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the low ceiling.
- [NTSB LAX98LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA040.md): Aero Commander 200D · San Carlos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 1997 · N2910T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to verify that there was an adequate supply of fuel in the selected fuel tank prior to takeoff.
- [NTSB ATL98FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98FA009.md): Beech B100 · Madison, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 1997 · N500ML · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. A related factor was: the instrument weather conditions.
- [NTSB LAX98LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA035.md): Beech C23 · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1997 · N3724Z · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough terrain that resulted in a nose over during the landing roll.
- [NTSB FTW98LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA047.md): Reid Capella XS · Leander, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1997 · N89FW · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB MIA98LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA024.md): Douglas DC-3C · Memphis, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 1997 · N59316 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's improper management of fuel resulting in a total loss of engine power on both engines during an instrument approach due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB MIA98LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA019.md): Cessna 402B · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1997 · N69312 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper management of fuel resulting in a total loss of engine power on both engines due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB MIA98LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA023.md): Let L-13 · Elkin, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1997 · N65140 · Substantial damage
  > The instructor's pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance, and his inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Unfavorable winds and a fence were contributing factors.
- [NTSB NYC98LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA025.md): Hughes 269B · Cleveland, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1997 · N2273W · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to recover from settling-with-power. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's downwind approach and low airspeed.
- [NTSB NYC98FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA024.md): Piper PA-23-150 · Fitchburg, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1997 · N3EV · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's inadequate in-flight decision and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing was the flight instructor's failure to follow standard practices while simulating and practicing emergency…
- [NTSB LAX98LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA027.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1997 · N1655H · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB FTW98LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA033.md): Aerospatiale SA316B · Counselor, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1997 · CFPWH · Substantial damage
  > the pilot inadvertently allowing the helicopter to settle with power.
- [NTSB SEA98LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA009.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Midvale, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1997 · N9332J · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the pole. A factor contributing to the accident was the pole.
- [NTSB NYC98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA021.md): Mooney M20K · Ocean City, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1997 · N252MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude. Factors in the accident were the rain and fog.
- [NTSB LAX98LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA020.md): Cessna 170B · Fernley, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1997 · N3155A · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident.
- [NTSB ATL98LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA006.md): Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1 · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 1997 · N534SS · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadvertent use of the wrong runway, and his improper decision to continue the approach behind a large airplane (MD-80), which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter, loss of aircraft control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX98LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA015.md): Beech D17S · Chino, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1997 · N67736 · Substantial damage
  > fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and improper fuel management. Contributing factors were the nighttime conditions and the rough/uneven terrain.
- [NTSB ANC98IA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98IA004.md): Cessna 208B · Kasigluk, AK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1997 · N9304F · No damage
  > inadequate inspection of the aileron by company maintenance personnel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aileron, which led to the jamming of the left aileron due to loose balance weight retaining screws.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500/cases.md?year=1997&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
  crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
  current_codes AS (
    SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e."tier1Number" AS INTEGER) AS code,
      row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e."isDefiningEvent", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
    WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e."tier1Number" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
      AND (e."isDefiningEvent" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT "mKey" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE "isPre1982"))
  ),
  phases AS (
    SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
    FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
    UNION ALL
    SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o."phaseOfFlightCode", w.main
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o."phaseOfFlightCode"
    WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
  ),
  case_phases AS (
    SELECT p.*, c."eventDate", c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
    FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = p.case_mkey
    LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
    WHERE c."eventDate" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
  )
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 year(c."eventDate") = 1997
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 500)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500/cases?year=1997

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