# Fatal NTSB investigations, 2002

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 9 · 417 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DEN03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA028.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Steamboat Spgs, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2002 · N7989C · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the tail wind and high density…
- [NTSB LAX03LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA055.md): Lipscomb Lancair 235 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2002 · N777KL · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during an aborted landing that resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.
- [NTSB FTW03LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA068.md): Barber Glasair · Conroe, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2002 · N3885J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB FTW03FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA067.md): Beech F-35 · Addison, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2002 · N3367C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply by his failure to switch fuel tank positions which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB MIA03FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA034.md): Cessna 208B · Manteo, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2002 · N1122Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued descent below the minimum descent altitude, for undetermined reasons, while performing a NDB approach, resulting in the airplane crashing into water 1.5 miles from the airport. A factor in the accident was a cloud ceiling below the…
- [NTSB DEN03FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA025.md): Cessna 421 · Akron, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2002 · N421D · Destroyed
  > The fractured connecting rods and the pilot not maintaining aircraft control following the engine failure. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the pilot not maintaining minimum controllable airspeed following the engine failure, the…
- [NTSB FTW03FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA064.md): Beech BE-58 · Egypt, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2002 · N5TV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into severe icing conditions. A contributing factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB LAX03FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA054.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Dolan Springs, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2002 · N888KB · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from power lines. A factor was the pilot's decision to conduct cruise flight at a low altitude.
- [NTSB IAD03FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA024.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Woodbury, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2002 · N8168G · Destroyed
  > An engine fire for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control, and the airplane's subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ATL03FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA025.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Macon, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2002 · N47420 · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB SEA03WA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03WA030.md): Lancair IV · Geelong, Australia · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 20, 2002 · VH-CIV · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW03LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA061.md): Creekmore Team Rocket F-1 · Rosenberg, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2002 · N140TC · Destroyed
  > The in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the builder's failure to install the upper attachment fitting for the vertical fin aft spar.
- [NTSB MIA03WA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03WA032.md): Piper PA-46-500TP · Badearic Island, Spain · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 19, 2002 · N53328 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC03GA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03GA020.md): Aviat A-1B · King Salmon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 19, 2002 · N57HY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CHI03FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA041.md): Cessna 208B · Rockford, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2002 · N277PM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the ILS approach. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings, high winds, crosswind, and wind shear conditions that existed.
- [NTSB LAX03WA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03WA221.md): Piper PA-31-325 · Fielding, New Zealand · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 17, 2002 · ZKTZC · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX03FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA051.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Anaheim Hills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2002 · N6268P · Destroyed
  > the pilot's encounter with forecast severe turbulence during an inadvertent penetration of an intense weather cell, which resulted in the pilot exceeding the design structural limits of the airplane. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate…
- [NTSB MIA03WA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03WA042.md): Cessna 206 · El Carmen, Colombia · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 15, 2002 · YV1032CP · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX03FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FAMS1.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Dec 15, 2002 · N101YK · Destroyed
  > undetermined, missing aircraft.
- [NTSB MIA03WA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03WA031.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Freeport, Bahamas · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 13, 2002 · N6568Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC03LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA022.md): Cessna 180 · Petersburg, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2002 · N9701G · Destroyed
  > An in flight collision with ocean water for an undetermined reason.
- [NTSB CHI03LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA037.md): Stinson 108-1 · Frankenmuth, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2002 · N8469K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB CHI03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA036.md): North American T-28B · Glenwood, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2002 · N114DH · Destroyed
  > The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot-in-command. The low altitude maneuvering by the pilot-in-command was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA059.md): Beech 1900C · Eagleton, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2002 · N127YV · Destroyed
  > In-flight collision with terrain due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance and altitude above rapidly rising terrain while on a VFR approach. Contributing factors were the obscuration of the terrain due to clouds.
- [NTSB MIA03WA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03WA027.md): Cessna U206G · Pucallpa, Peru · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2002 · OB1180 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA03FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA025.md): Raytheon 58 · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2002 · N241JG · Destroyed
  > the pilot's spatial disorientation during instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors included the pilot's distraction to the low fuel status and the low cloud conditions.
- [NTSB MIA03FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA024.md): Aaa Aircraft Leasing 192 · Miami, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2002 · N192FW · Destroyed
  > The inflight fire of undetermined origin, which resulted in pilot incapacitation, loss of aircraft control and an inflight collision with a building.
- [NTSB DEN03FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA023.md): Rockwell Commander 114 · Hot Springs, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2002 · N314M · Destroyed
  > the loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine ignition system's single-drive dual-magneto, and the magneto's improper installation by unknown maintenance personnel. Contributing factors were the improper installation of the magneto by unknown…
- [NTSB ATL03FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA023.md): Cessna 150L · Arecibo, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2002 · N11294 · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to follow the normal takeoff checklist (Wing Flaps-Up) and failure to maintain airspeed after takeoff that resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB LAX03FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA045.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Phelan, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2002 · N15969 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering that lead to a stall spin and impact with flat desert terrain.
- [NTSB FTW03FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA057.md): Cessna 210L · Harrison, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2002 · N210CT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft and the exceedance of the manufactured limits, which resulted in an in flight break-up. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the clouds.
- [NTSB FTW03FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA055.md): Cessna 421C · Tajique, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2002 · N3855C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were the high mountains, mountain obscuration, the dark night condition, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision making.
- [NTSB FTW03FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA054.md): Cessna 402C · Lewisville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2002 · N402ME · Destroyed
  > The failure of the attitude indicator, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control as a result of spatial disorientation following the failure of the attitude indicator. Contributing factors were a low ceiling, clouds, and dark night conditions.
- [NTSB SEA03FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA015.md): Caron Seawind · Bryant, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 2002 · N313FC · Destroyed
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the flying pilot to maintain flying speed resulting in an inadvertent stall, loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB FTW03FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA053.md): Cessna 172N · Lindsay, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2002 · N5155E · Destroyed
  > The in-flight separation of the right wing due to the missing nut that secures the right wing's strut to fuselage fitting to the fuselage.
- [NTSB IAD03FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA019.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Bastian, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2002 · N31554 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling.
- [NTSB FTW03FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA051.md): Piper PA-34-220T · McAlester, OK · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2002 · N699WG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed during a single-engine go-around which resulted in his loss of control. Contributing factors to the accident included the loss of power from the left engine as a result of…
- [NTSB SEA03FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA013.md): Cessna 172P · Malaga, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2002 · N65564 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and up sloping terrain. Contributing factors were clouds, trees, and uphill terrain. The pilot’s performance and judgment were likely impaired by the effects of…
- [NTSB LAX03FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA037.md): Beech B36TC · Union City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2002 · N3242Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's loss of situational awareness to his terrain proximity, the dark night, and the…
- [NTSB FTW03LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA049.md): Girard RV-4 · Homer, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2002 · N5246 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing factors were fog and trees.
- [NTSB FTW03FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA048.md): Beech A36 · Salem, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2002 · N367T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision to continue flight from visual to instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while in cruise flight. A low ceiling, obscuration, mountainous terrain…
- [NTSB NYC03FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA024.md): Socata TB-20 · Massena, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2002 · N57TB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Factors in this accident were the icing conditions, deteriorated airplane performance due to ice accumulation, and control interference by the passenger as reported by the pilot.
- [NTSB FTW03FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA044.md): Cessna 210L · Kentwood, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2002 · N93770 · Destroyed
  > The failure of the #1 and #2 connecting rods during climb to cruise due to overheating, resulting from oil starvation. A contributing factor was the low cloud conditions limiting the pilot's visibility during the ensuing emergency landing.
- [NTSB ATL03FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA017.md): Cessna 182Q · Cornelia, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2002 · N58GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow IFR approach procedures and continue below the minimum descent altitude, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees, and the ground. A factor was the pilot's impairment from a prescription drug.
- [NTSB MIA03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA019.md): John H. Heiring Express · Moncks Corner, SC · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2002 · N297JH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with water.
- [NTSB NYC03FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA022.md): Cessna 182D · NewPhiladelphia, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2002 · N9964T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to disregard the weather briefing, and to conduct an intentional flight into known icing conditions, with an airplane not equipped for that flight, and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors were the clouds and icing…
- [NTSB MIA03WA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03WA017.md): Piper PA-23-250 · San Carlos, Argentina · Accident · 7 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 17, 2002 · LV-HJE · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW03LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA041.md): Cessna 152 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2002 · N4794P · No damage
  > The dual student's intentional suicide by exiting from the airplane during descent. A contributing factor was the psychological condition of the dual student.
- [NTSB NYC03FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA021.md): Mooney M10 · Fairfield, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2002 · N9502V · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate visual lookout of both pilots. Factors in the accident were the FAA controller's failure to provide a traffic advisory, the improper decision among the three controllers to leave only one controller in the cab, and night conditions.
- [NTSB MIA03FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA016.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Climax, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2002 · N8162N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's operation of the airplane at a low altitude during final approach that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, a witness reported pitch-up, and subsequent stall and in-flight collision with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&year=2002&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 year(c."eventDate") = 2002
  AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&year=2002

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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.