# Fatal NTSB investigations: In flight collision with terrain/water

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 30 · 1,451 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DFW08LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA134.md): Cessna 310 · Glenwood, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2007 · N28836 · Destroyed
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the marginal weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB CHI08FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA045.md): Cessna 208B · Columbus, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 2007 · N28MG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and collision avoidance with terrain due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the low cloud ceiling and night conditions.
- [NTSB CHI08LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA046.md): Swearingen T R/Masters W Rand KR 2 · Benton, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2007 · N7016M · Destroyed
  > The reason for this accident is undetermined.
- [NTSB SEA08FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA023.md): Cessna T182T · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2007 · N881CP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance/altitude during climb to cruise. Contributing to the accident were rising mountainous terrain, the dark nighttime lighting condition, the pilot's loss of situational awareness, and the Federal…
- [NTSB DEN08FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA003.md): Raytheon C90A · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2007 · N590GM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, improper in-flight planning and decision making, the dark night, and the controller's failure to issue a safety…
- [NTSB SEA07FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA246.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Alsea, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2007 · N6735J · Substantial damage
  > Terrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering. A low altitude during the maneuver and hilly terrain were factors.
- [NTSB LAX07FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA272.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2007 · N119G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during descent. Contributing to the accident were dark night conditions and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB MIA07FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07FA147.md): Bell 206B · Nokomis, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2007 · N261BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.
- [NTSB NYC07LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA219.md): North American SNJ-2 · Virginia Beach, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2007 · N52033 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to physiological incapacitation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to deny or restrict the pilot's medical certification, and the pilot's improper…
- [NTSB MIA07FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07FA137.md): Beech A36 · Elizabethton, TN · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2007 · N326DK · Destroyed
  > The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for flying towards rising terrain with inadequate clearance.
- [NTSB ATL07LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA119.md): Cessna P206 · Center Hill, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2007 · N904DZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot committed suicide. Contributing to the event was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.
- [NTSB DEN07MA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07MA134.md): Beech E90B · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2007 · N369CD · Destroyed
  > Failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CHI07LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA237.md): Opus Motorsports BD02 · Dayton, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2007 · N98MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not maintaining clearance from terrain during the aerobatic maneuver. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's restricted ability to see the terrain and the oil smoke present in the air show performer's box.
- [NTSB CHI07LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA213.md): Air Tractor AT-402A · Laurel, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2007 · N203DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the upsloping terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB DEN07FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA100.md): Beech 58 · Placitas, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2007 · N6750R · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain separation, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. A contributing factor was the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA07FA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA165.md): Cessna 172 · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2007 · N6233E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.
- [NTSB CHI07LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA162.md): Aero Commander S2R · Watford City, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2007 · N8835Q · Destroyed
  > The agricultural pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines. The power lines were a contributing factor in the accident.
- [NTSB SEA07FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA134.md): Cessna 185 · Wilbur, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 28, 2007 · N9434N · Substantial damage
  > In-flight collision with terrain shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX07FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA160.md): Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 · Lake Pleasant, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2007 · N512DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the surface of water during an intentional buzzing maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the nighttime lighting environment.
- [NTSB LAX07LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA113.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Lincoln City, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2007 · N75194 · Destroyed
  > In-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MIA07FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07FA060.md): Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C · Titusville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2007 · N63925 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure sufficient altitude while maneuvering in close proximity to the ground during an airshow, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CHI07LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA086.md): Camair 480 · East Liberty, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 2007 · N209 · Destroyed
  > The uncontrolled descent for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI07FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA079.md): Cessna 150M · Bedford, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2007 · N66513 · Substantial damage
  > Suicide.
- [NTSB DFW07FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07FA073.md): Cessna 210K · Lago Vista, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2007 · N1162M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention with a reported autopilot malfunction.
- [NTSB SEA07FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA051.md): Beech 200 · Belgrade, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 2007 · N45MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude and descent rate during a night visual approach. Dark night conditions and mountainous terrain are factors in the accident.
- [NTSB SEA07LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA060.md): Brown Pitts S-1 · Incline Vlg, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2007 · N20164 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane collided with a frozen lake for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's intentional operation of the airplane while impaired by alcohol and the FAA's failure to obtain additional information about the pilot's…
- [NTSB LAX07FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA080.md): Mooney M20J · Ranchita, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2007 · N201RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a cruise descent. Contributing to the accident were the dark night lighting conditions and the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB MIA07FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07FA042.md): Partenavia P 68C · Adjuntas, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 2007 · N90KB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons during a normal descent under instrument meteorological and dark night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX07FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA060.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2006 · N9141Y · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA062.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Young, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2006 · N457S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight while flying at night at an altitude to remain clear of clouds and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident were an inadequate weather evaluation, the clouds, icing conditions, and…
- [NTSB NYC07FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA048.md): Bell 407 · Dagsboro, DE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2006 · N407JJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to depart under visual flight rules into night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the fog and the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX07LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA054.md): John Lauer Harmon Rocket II · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2006 · N604JL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during an aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB SEA07LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA025.md): Holloway RV6A · North Bend, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2006 · N914C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while performing low altitude maneuvering flight resulting in an in flight collision with the water.
- [NTSB DFW07FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07FA019.md): Cessna 172S · Hominy, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2006 · N53443 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued cruise flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, and the low ceilings.
- [NTSB LAX07LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA027.md): Air Creations Tanarg 912 · Bisbee, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2006 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB CHI07FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA009.md): Beech 95-B55 · Lawrenceville, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2006 · N1832N · Substantial damage
  > The improper judgment by the pilot to conduct a flight to, and execute an approach to, an airport with weather conditions that were below the required minimums. Also causal was the pilot's continued descent below the approach minimum descent altitude.…
- [NTSB NYC07FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA009.md): Piper PA-46-310P · Odenton, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2006 · N9130N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during the approach. Contributing was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land the airplane after being informed by air traffic control that he was not operating in compliance with the ADIZ…
- [NTSB NYC07LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA008.md): Flynn William Pazmany PL-4 · Fredricksburg, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 2006 · N640F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX06FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA304.md): Cessna 182K · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2006 · N2700Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain in a high density altitude environment.
- [NTSB LAX06LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA293.md): Champion 7EC · Clipper Mills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2006 · N9575S · Destroyed
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from ingestion of marijuana.
- [NTSB CHI06LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA258.md): Garner Garner Falcon · Newton, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2006 · N6194Y · Destroyed
  > An inflight collision with terrain during an unknown phase of flight. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience.
- [NTSB LAX06GA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06GA287.md): North American OV-10A · Porterville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Sep 6, 2006 · N419DF · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering over rising terrain in a box canyon. Also causal was the pilot's failure to adhere to procedures/directives regarding minimum altitude requirements.
- [NTSB LAX06LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA275.md): Terry Tevis RV-6A · Novato, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2006 · N312RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Rising terrain, fog and dark night conditions were factors.
- [NTSB NYC06MA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06MA192.md): Embraer 110P1 · Pownal, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2006 · N59BA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misinterpretation of the airplane's position relative to the final approach fix, which resulted in the displacement of the descent profile by 6 nautical miles and the subsequent controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB LAX06FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA256.md): Cessna 182P · Whitethorn, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2006 · N9904E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness with regard to the airplane's proximity to mountainous terrain, and her failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude or flight path, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX06FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA243.md): Raytheon G36 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2006 · N241JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged distance and speed that led to a long landing, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, all due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted…
- [NTSB LAX06FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA222.md): Raytheon A36 · Somis, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2006 · N615M · Destroyed
  > a ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB DFW06LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA163.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Colt, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 2006 · N2292J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB LAX06FA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA206.md): Cessna 180 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2006 · N1535C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a low level flyby maneuver. A factor was glare from the sun and shadows created by the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA06FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA116.md): Lciv Lancair IV-P Propjet · Provo, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2006 · N95CE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during a VFR approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the low clouds.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&occurrence=230&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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 230)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&occurrence=230

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