# Fatal NTSB investigations, 2003

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 · 440 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB MIA04FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04FA037.md): Cessna 441 · Greenacres City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2003 · N111RC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent uncontrolled descent into a canal. A factor was the pilot's impairment by the drug chlorpheniramine.
- [NTSB ATL04LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA064.md): Atkinson SA 102.5 · Trenton, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2003 · N8117L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ATL04FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA061.md): Mooney 20F · Campobello, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2003 · N2996L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and a collision with trees and the ground during an uncontrolled descent. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight…
- [NTSB ANC04FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04FA016.md): Piper J3C-65 · Peoria, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2003 · N2094M · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both aircraft, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other's aircraft and a subsequent midair collision. A factor associated with the accident was the airplane pilot's failure to determine that…
- [NTSB LAX04WA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04WA080.md): Pacific Aerospace 750XL · Pacific Ocean, New Zealand · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 26, 2003 · ZKUAC · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX04LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA089.md): Cessna 172L · Vacaville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2003 · N7668G · No damage
  > the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
- [NTSB WAS04RA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WAS04RA010.md): Boeing 727-223 · Cotonou, Benin · Accident · 141 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 25, 2003 · 3X-GDO
- [NTSB LAX04FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA078.md): Beech A36TC · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2003 · N364JR · Destroyed
  > An in-flight collision with terrain for an undetermined reason while the pilot was maneuvering to return for a landing during an unknown emergency.
- [NTSB LAX04FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA077.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Avalon, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N3747U · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to properly execute the published missed approach procedure.
- [NTSB LAX04FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA076.md): Agusta A109A · Redwood Valley, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N25RX · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a collision with rising…
- [NTSB LAX04FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA075.md): Learjet 24B · Helendale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Dec 23, 2003 · N600XJ · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB FTW04WA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04WA050.md): Cessna 172 · Shiona, Ecuador · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 23, 2003 · HC-BAS · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW04FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA045.md): Cessna 172K · Grand Saline, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2003 · N78189 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. Factors were the high winds and prevailing crosswind.
- [NTSB CHI04FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA045.md): Mooney 20E · Webster, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · N1275X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate decision to conduct a low altitude flight maneuver without sufficient altitude to maintain clearance from the terrain. Low altitude flight and ostentatious display are contributing factors.
- [NTSB ATL04LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA057.md): Interplane Skyboy-2 · Covington, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collision with the ground. A factor was the unqualified person (pilot).
- [NTSB MIA04FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04FA035.md): Cessna U206G · Thonotosassa, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2003 · N603DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to landing on the water, resulting in a loss of control, and the airplane nosing over.
- [NTSB CHI04FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA044.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Brooklyn, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2003 · N3733W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning/decision resulting in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his…
- [NTSB CHI04FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA043.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2003 · N155BM · Destroyed
  > The unqualified pilot's continued flight into known instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience and the low ceiling.
- [NTSB ATL04FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA056.md): Cessna 206H · Sanford, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2003 · N9562L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during takeoff initial climb due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees and the ground. Factors were the dark night, fog, and low ceilings.
- [NTSB SEA04LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA027.md): Erickson SHA Glasair TD · Vansycle, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N434SW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the anemometer pole/wires during low altitude flight. Contributing factors were the pole and the pilot's low altitude flight.
- [NTSB LAX04FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA081.md): Cessna 150J · Corona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N61303 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control as a result of spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB LAX04FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA067.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Redlands, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N1225D · Destroyed
  > a loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently turning off the magnetos and his failure to initiate an autorotation and to maintain main rotor rpm. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of an over-the-counter medication that impaired his…
- [NTSB LAX04FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA066.md): Cessna 421C · Claremont, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N6887L · Destroyed
  > the pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.
- [NTSB FTW04FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA044.md): Beech H-35 · Mena, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N7929D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, fog, clouds, and turbulence.
- [NTSB FTW04LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA040.md): Hackney Vans RV-6A · Carthage, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2003 · N528DH · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall,
- [NTSB ANC04FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04FA015.md): Cessna P210N · Tonopah, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2003 · N4674A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to follow approved instrument flight procedures, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstacles/terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident are snow and low clouds.
- [NTSB FTW04WA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04WA048.md): Piper PA-46 · Guaymas, Mexico · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 13, 2003 · N9223X · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA04LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA026.md): Upright RV-7A · McMinnville, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2003 · N29CV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Cloudy weather, continued flight into adverse weather, inadequate preflight planning and mountainous terrain were factors.
- [NTSB ATL04FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA051.md): Cessna 414 · Greeneville, TN · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2003 · N1592T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in icing conditions on a circling approach for landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with trees and terrain. A factor in the accident was a partial loss of engine power due to the…
- [NTSB FTW04FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA037.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Sugar Land, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2003 · N47413 · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance with powerlines during a VFR approach. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions,and the high winds.
- [NTSB ATL04FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA049.md): Cessna 441 · Vestavia Hills, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2003 · N441W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climb in icing conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall / spin of the airplane and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. A factor was the accumulation of airframe ice.
- [NTSB MIA04WA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04WA033.md): Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 · Guayaramerim, Brazil · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 9, 2003 · N32TJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW04FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA038.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Livingston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2003 · N98287 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditions and maintain control of the airplane during the final approach. Contributing factors were the gusty and high wind conditions.
- [NTSB LAX04FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA064.md): Iniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 650 TC · Placerville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2003 · N14XL · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to fully remove an accumulation of ice and frost on the wings, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly configure the flaps for takeoff.
- [NTSB LAX04FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA061.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Chino Hills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2003 · N16264 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by which he conducted VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions. Mountainous terrain, dark night conditions and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing are contributing…
- [NTSB DCA04WA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA04WA009.md): Socata TBM-700 · Oxford, United Kingdom · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 6, 2003 · N30LT · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL04FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA046.md): Aeronca 11AC · San Antonio, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 2003 · N9085F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above objects on approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and the subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ATL04FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA045.md): Beech B200 · Morlan, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 2003 · N85BK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision when he continued the flight below the decision height and collided with trees. A related factor was the low ceiling.
- [NTSB LAX04FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA057.md): Wing D-1 · Rosamond, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2003 · N8602J · Destroyed
  > The flying pilot's failure to obtain/maintain control of the airplane during practice stalls, which resulted in the inadvertent entry into a spin.
- [NTSB FTW04FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA036.md): Beech S35 · Harrison, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2003 · N350JL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedures, and his failure attain the proper glidepath.
- [NTSB NYC04LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA043.md): Barness Pulsar I · Bardstown, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2003 · N97JW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of aircraft control, resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane.
- [NTSB SEA04LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA024.md): Shear Titan Tornado · Brooks, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2003 · N183T · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering due to a hypoglycemic condition.
- [NTSB FTW04WA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04WA034.md): Cessna R172E · Macas, Ecuador · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 1, 2003 · HC-BRE · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW04FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA029.md): Bell 407 · High Island 573 · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2003 · N457PH · Destroyed
  > The loss of engine power due to the failure of the 3rd stage turbine wheel and subsequent catastrophic failure of the turbine assembly.
- [NTSB SEA04FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA023.md): Fairchild Swearingen SA227-AT · Spokane, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2003 · N439AF · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper glidepath alignment during an ILS approach in poor weather resulting in collision with trees and terrain. Contributing factors were the unreliable status of the primary (NAV 1) ILS receiver (leaving the pilot…
- [NTSB MIA04FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04FA029.md): Swearingen SA-26-AT · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2003 · N698X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's descent below decision height while performing an ILS approach with low ceilings and fog, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the instrument…
- [NTSB SEA04FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA022.md): Beech S35 · Warren, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2003 · N10BX · Destroyed
  > The vacuum pump failure and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident included the instrument meteorological weather conditions and the pilot's improper recovery from the descent.
- [NTSB MIA04WA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04WA030.md): Piper PA-28R-201T · Caracas, Venezuela · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 23, 2003 · YV-1528P · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX04GA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04GA051.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 22, 2003 · N7292W · Destroyed
  > The pilots inadequate preflight planning and intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to this accident was the fact that it was a dark night with no moon illumination.
- [NTSB FTW04WA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04WA033.md): Beech BE-36 · Santa Cruz, Bolivia · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 22, 2003 · CP-2376 · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&year=2003&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") = 2003
  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=2003

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