# Fatal NTSB investigations

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 222 of 617 · 30,845 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB LAX97FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA065.md): Opperman Lancair IV-P · Suisun City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1996 · N444LP · Destroyed
  > In-flight loss of control for an undetermined reason.
- [NTSB NYC97FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA025.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Felton, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1996 · N5538J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and his failure to refuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent collision with trees during the forced landing.
- [NTSB ATL97FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97FA021.md): Bellanca 17-31ATC · Fitzgerald, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1996 · N123SS · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to the blockage of the intake manifold of the induction air system, by the broken alternate air door, and the loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX97FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA059.md): Morane-Saulnier MS760 II · Irvine, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1996 · N2TE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering in a steep banked turn to the landing runway, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft…
- [NTSB IAD97FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA025.md): Aero Commander 681 · Mansfield, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1996 · N9129N · Destroyed
  > the pilot's early descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), while preparing to land from an instrument approach, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance from obstruction(s).
- [NTSB ANC97FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA009.md): Cessna 185 · Marshall, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1996 · N93829 · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB FTW97FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA051.md): Eurocopter AS350B2 · High Island A20 · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1996 · N6100U · Destroyed
  > This case was modified 6/26/2006. The failure of the tail rotor pitch change link due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and separation of the aft tailboom.
- [NTSB FTW97FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA049.md): Beech A36TC · Tucumcari, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1996 · N48PD · Substantial damage
  > the total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.
- [NTSB NYC97FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA021.md): Cessna 414 · Duo, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1996 · N73CP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate inflight decision which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain. The low ceiling was a factor.
- [NTSB ANC97FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA008.md): Cessna 208B · Bethel, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1996 · N4704B · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, while maneuvering to reverse direction after takeoff, after encountering an undetermined anomaly. The undetermined anomaly was a related factor.
- [NTSB MIA97LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA028.md): North American T28B · Somerville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1996 · N3178U · Destroyed
  > the pilot misjudged his altitude/clearance above trees on terrain that was higher than the surrounding terrain, while performing an aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB DCA97WA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA97WA011.md): Boeing 767 · Comorso Islands, Ethiopia · Accident · 125 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 23, 1996 · ETAIZ · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX97FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA050.md): Mooney M20J · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1996 · N5766K · Destroyed
  > the pilot misjudged the landing flare and failed to maintain directional control after a hard bounced landing.
- [NTSB LAX97FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA049.md): Beech 95-C55 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1996 · N3774Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's lack of situational awareness (becoming lost/disoriented during the approach), his failure to fly the approach as charted, and his failure to maintain aircraft control, while attempting an abrupt turn toward the airport, which led to an…
- [NTSB LAX97FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA047.md): Piper PA-28-236 · Lost Hills, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1996 · N8447B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control, and the pilot exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits during an attempted recovery. The noninstrument-rated…
- [NTSB LAX97FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA046.md): Beech 95-B55 · Goleta, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1996 · N210WW · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during an instrument approach, due to spatial disorientation, and/or his failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's delay (or failure) to initiate a missed…
- [NTSB FTW97FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA044.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1996 · N1394T · Destroyed
  > the pilots' continued descent of the aircraft below decision height. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the dark night illumination, one of the pilot's impairment due to use of marihuana, and both pilots' fatigue.
- [NTSB DCA97MA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA97MA009.md): Beech 1900C · Quincy, IL · Accident · 14 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Nov 19, 1996 · N87GL · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilots in the King Air A90 to effectively monitor the common traffic advisory frequency or to properly scan for traffic, resulting in their commencing a takeoff roll when the Beech 1900C (United Express flight 5925) was landing on an…
- [NTSB LAX97FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA044.md): Cessna 152 · Gilroy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1996 · N48737 · Destroyed
  > flight by the pilot into into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.
- [NTSB FTW97FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA042.md): Piper Aerostar 601P · Eagle, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1996 · N251B · Destroyed
  > The pilot initiating flight into known adverse weather conditions without proper certification. Factors were the meteorological conditions that existed --- low ceiling, low visibility, and falling snow --- and his use of contraindicated drugs.
- [NTSB SEA97FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA027.md): Cessna P210N · Boring, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1996 · N7823K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of thick fog.
- [NTSB IAD97FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA022.md): Piper PA-34-220T · West Milton, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1996 · N8468H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control after an undetermined failure of the automatic flight control. A contributing factor was failure of the maintenance technician to have the airplane test flown prior to release.
- [NTSB CHI97FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA027.md): Cessna T210N · Springfield, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1996 · N5083C · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to set the altimeter to the current setting given by the controller resulting in the aircraft altimeter reading 260 feet higher than the actual aircraft altitude. Factors involved were pilot fatigue, weather conditions at approach…
- [NTSB LAX97LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA303.md): Fleming Glassair III · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1996 · N77DF · Destroyed
  > was the pilot's intentional flight into marginal meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain during dark nighttime conditions.
- [NTSB LAX97FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA036.md): Cessna 310I · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1996 · N8046M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a climb following initiation of a missed approach in fog due to spatial disorientation, and his inadequate training by company personnel. Potential rescue was delayed due to the FAA radar controller's failure to follow…
- [NTSB NYC97WA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97WA017.md): Piper PA-31-310 · Nairobi, Kenya · Accident · 8 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 13, 1996 · 5YALA · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW97FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA039.md): Cessna 182Q · Colorado City, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1996 · N5116N · Destroyed
  > the pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the clouds, low ceilings, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument…
- [NTSB DCA97WA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA97WA007.md): Boeing 747-168 · New Delhi, India · Accident · 349 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 12, 1996 · HZ-AIH · 2 aircraft
- [NTSB IAD97LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA019.md): Cessna 150 · Edgerton, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 1996 · N5627E · Destroyed
  > the pilot's Inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. Factors to this accident were the night conditions and snow.
- [NTSB CHI97FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA025.md): Enstrom F28F · Gutherie, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 1996 · N86214 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and not maintaining control of the helicopter during its rearward flight. A factor was the pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability.
- [NTSB MIA97FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA020.md): Piper PA-60-600 · New Bern, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1996 · N8239J · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VMC). Contributing to the accident was his lack of total experience in kind of aircraft.
- [NTSB MIA97FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA021.md): Cessna TU206B · Jasper, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1996 · N4970F · Destroyed
  > continued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from rising/mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.
- [NTSB NYC97WA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97WA016.md): Bell 206B3 · Dear, South Africa · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 7, 1996 · ZSHKB · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC97WA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97WA015.md): Cessna 421 · Donzeil, France · Accident · 8 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 7, 1996 · HBLRX · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC97FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA013.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Lehman Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1996 · N5671V · Destroyed
  > The failure of the forward fuselage nose assembly for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB SEA97LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA025.md): Garlick TH-1L · Leavenworth, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 1996 · N465JR · Destroyed
  > Fatigue failure of the vertical stabilizer spar cap and subsequent loss of the rotorcraft's vertical stabilizer. Factors include inadequate inspection or trouble-shooting of the aircraft tail cone and vertical stabilizer at and after the time sheet-metal…
- [NTSB CHI97FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA024.md): Cessna 177B · Chancellor, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 1996 · N34994 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's attempted flight with known deficiencies in equipment, his initiating VFR flight into IMC conditions, his spatial disorientation and loss of control of the airplane. Factors were fog, dark night, and inoperative directional gyro.
- [NTSB LAX97LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA031.md): Rainey Rans S-12 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1996 · N95HS · Destroyed
  > a broken wire in the ignition coil, which resulted in a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin and uncontrolled collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX97FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA032.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Halawa, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1996 · N1701K · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance and/or altitude from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and…
- [NTSB FTW97FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA033.md): Schweizer SGS 1-36 · Boulder, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1996 · N3616Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft by performing an aerobatic maneuver, resulting in total failure of the wing spar.
- [NTSB CHI97LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA018.md): Frost RAF 2000 GTX SE · Adrian, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1996 · N914VT · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was his lack of familiarity with the airplane.
- [NTSB MIA97WA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97WA018.md): Embraer EMB-110 · Flores, Guatemala · Accident · 14 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 1, 1996 · TGTPA · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW97FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA032.md): Mooney M20J · San Leon, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1996 · N25LS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent stall and spin of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane and the weather conditions.
- [NTSB MIA97WA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97WA017.md): Piper PA-32-300 · St. Vincent, WN · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 31, 1996 · N970CA · Destroyed
- [NTSB DCA97WA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA97WA004.md): Fokker 100 · Sao Paulo, Brazil · Accident · 97 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 31, 1996 · PTMRK · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL97FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97FA014.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Avon Park, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1996 · N8353P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of the elevator trim, which resulted in runway contact by the propeller during the takeoff roll and subsequent loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB IAD97FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA014.md): Cessna 172L · Brandy Station, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 1996 · N7737G · Destroyed
  > the certificated flight instructor's failure to ensure that proper altitude/clearance was maintained above the terrain and trees, while on final approach. Darkness was a related factor.
- [NTSB CHI97MA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97MA017.md): Gulfstream G-IV · Wheeling, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 1996 · N23AC · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll in a gusty crosswind, his failure to abort the takeoff, and failure of the copilot to adequately monitor and/or take sufficient remedial action to…
- [NTSB SEA97TA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97TA023.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Fillmore, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Oct 29, 1996 · N3098G · Substantial damage
  > inadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the seed bucket to become entangled with the right skid of the helicopter, resulting in an imbalance and loss of…
- [NTSB SEA97LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA022.md): Collier Q200 · Estacada, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1996 · N200CQ · Substantial damage
  > inadequate maintenance adjustment by the owner/pilot/mechanic, by not using safety wire to secure the throttle arm clamping screw, which resulted in a loose clamping screw and rotation of the throttle arm with respect to the butterfly valve shaft. The lack of…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&page=223

## 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'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&page=222

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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.
