# NTSB investigations, CA: In flight collision with object

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 10 · 469 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX08CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA020.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Fresno, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 26, 2007 · N6791J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to clear objects during approach for landing.
- [NTSB LAX08CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA003.md): Let Blanik L-13 · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2007 · N510CS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate due to his failure to close the air brake and/or partially retract the flaps during an encounter with lost lift on final approach.
- [NTSB LAX07FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA241.md): Piper PA-28-140 · S. Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2007 · N8938C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/decision, and his failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff-initial climb. Contributing to the accident were turbulence, downdrafts, and rising terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07TA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07TA227.md): Bell 205 A1++ · Happy Camp, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jul 23, 2007 · N205BR · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility…
- [NTSB LAX07CA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA224.md): Cessna 150M · Woodland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2007 · N531M · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird. A factor in the accident was the deteriorated aircraft performance capability due to the increased drag that made continued flight impossible.
- [NTSB SEA07TA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07TA181.md): McDonnell Douglas DC 10-10 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 26, 2007 · N450AX · Substantial damage
  > The captain's failure to maintain clearance from trees.
- [NTSB SEA07CA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA143.md): Calstar 1 Eurocopter BO-105S · Concord, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 3, 2007 · N623MB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object during hover. Trees were a factor.
- [NTSB LAX07LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA168.md): Schweizer G-164B · Colusa, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2007 · N3633Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires.
- [NTSB LAX07LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA143.md): Beech B36TC · West Athens, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2007 · N3172L · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's descent below the published minimum descent altitude for the instrument approach procedure, which resulted in a collision with wires and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent experience in the accident airplane and…
- [NTSB SEA07CA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA103.md): Cessna 152 · Oak Glen, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 17, 2007 · N49902 · Destroyed
  > The flight instructors failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the downdraft weather condition, and the tree.
- [NTSB LAX07LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA126.md): Arbc 150A · Mecca, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2007 · N156LB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly in forecasted unfavorable wind conditions that exceeded the balloon's capabilities.
- [NTSB LAX07LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA122.md): Scottish Bulldog 120 · So Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2007 · N706X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects and the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA094.md): General Balloon AX-6 · San Martin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 21, 2007 · N2447Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB LAX07CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA072.md): Bell Helicopter 206BIII · Springville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 19, 2007 · N185BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain/obstacle clearance while maneuvering. Factors were the mountainous terrain, trees, and low-altitude flight maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX07CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA053.md): North American AT-6C · Mojave, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 7, 2006 · N9525C · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a sign while performing a low altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX07TA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07TA001.md): Erickson S64E · Ojai, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Oct 1, 2006 · N189AC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's improper remedial action, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing factors were the retardant tank and snorkel designs.
- [NTSB LAX06LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA288.md): Hughes 369D · Somis, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2006 · N812CE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires.
- [NTSB LAX06CA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA285.md): Beech 99 · Lodi, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2006 · N205TC · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the skydiver to correctly follow procedures and directives on exiting the airplane properly, which resulted in his collision with the horizontal stabilizer.
- [NTSB LAX06FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA233.md): Bellanca 14-19 · Arcata, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2006 · N522A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to follow the prescribed instrument approach procedure and to maintain the proper glide slope and altitude/clearance from obstacles while on an instrument landing system approach, resulting in a collision with trees. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB LAX06LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA235.md): Alfred Long-EZ · Hesperia, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2006 · N1014A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path on final approach as a result of the visual illusions created by a narrow, upsloping runway.
- [NTSB LAX06LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA147.md): Christen Industries A-1 · Creston, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2006 · N96088 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while intentionally flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX06CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA140.md): Piper PA-31-310 · Victorville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2006 · N7086Z · Substantial damage
  > an in-flight collision with a bird.
- [NTSB LAX06CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA125.md): Cessna 172N · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2006 · N739NU · Substantial damage
  > control interference by the student pilot during a go-around that resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.
- [NTSB LAX06LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA123.md): Schweizer 269C-1 · Valencia, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2006 · N61466 · Destroyed
  > The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from objects.
- [NTSB SEA06MA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06MA047.md): Cessna 560 · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 2006 · N86CE · Destroyed
  > The captain's delayed decision to execute a balked landing (go-around) during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident include the captain's improper decision to land with a tailwind, his excessive airspeed on final approach, and his failure to…
- [NTSB LAX06CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA084.md): Cessna T206H · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 8, 2006 · N531HP · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment, which resulted in a collision with multiple objects.
- [NTSB LAX06LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA058.md): Cessna 177RG · Dixon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2005 · N8040G · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and failure to maintain obstacle clearance with a high tension static line. The glare from the setting sun was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX06FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA049.md): Navion G · Imperial, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2005 · N2455T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree and transmission wires while performing a low altitude maneuver. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment and performance due to alcohol ingestion.
- [NTSB LAX06CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA046.md): Cameron Balloons N-180 · Rancho Santa Fe, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 26, 2005 · N4506B · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadvertent deactivation of the number 2 burner, which resulted in an increased rate of descent and a collision with a tree short of the intended landing zone.
- [NTSB LAX06LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA015.md): Hughes 369D · Avalon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2005 · N268ST · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in the accident were the position of the sun relative to the helicopter's flight path, which lessoned the…
- [NTSB LAX06CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA002.md): Bell 206B · Pixley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 2, 2005 · N201SC · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire during a low altitude aerial application flight.
- [NTSB LAX05TA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05TA306.md): Bell 407 · Inyokern, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 21, 2005 · N702WP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain tail rotor clearance from obstacles during landing.
- [NTSB LAX05LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA308.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Running Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2005 · N814CE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from trees while performing long line external lift operations.
- [NTSB LAX05LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA272.md): Patch Dan F Varieze · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2005 · N862DP · Destroyed
  > a divergence from the final approach course and an in-flight collision with storage containers for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX05LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA187.md): Bell 47G-4A · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2005 · N110DT · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB LAX05LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA064.md): Jimmy Hill Lancair 235 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2005 · N124JH · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath to avoid obstacles and terrain.
- [NTSB LAX05CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA055.md): Top Dog Trike · Torrey Pines, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 26, 2004 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in the in-flight collision with a power line and a subsequent forced landing. Low altitude flight was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB LAX05FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA054.md): Cessna 182P · La Mirada, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2004 · N9187G · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission tower while on an extended base leg of the traffic pattern. A factor in the accident was the sun glare condition.
- [NTSB LAX05CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA003.md): Cessna 152 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 4, 2004 · N24373 · Substantial damage
  > an in-flight collision with a bird.
- [NTSB LAX04CA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA323.md): Aero Commander S2R · Firebaugh, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2004 · N8822Q · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from high tension wires in dark night conditions. The reason for the loss of engine power after the wire collision was not determined.
- [NTSB LAX04CA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA309.md): Cessna 172S · Willits, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 2, 2004 · N897TW · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadvertent descent and controlled flight into obstacles while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the dark, nighttime condition, which impaired the pilot's visual perceptions, and the pilot's failure to obtain a pertinent Notice to…
- [NTSB LAX04CA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA306.md): Quicksilver MXL II · Rio Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2004 · N4358Z · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from high vegetation while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX04CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA278.md): Cessna A185F · Gridley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2004 · N93DM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct for torque and P-factor effects and failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
- [NTSB LAX04CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA270.md): Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-50-3 · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 18, 2004 · N19SZ · Substantial damage
  > the pilot failed to maintain runway alignment, and misjudged the clearance between the tree and the wing resulting in a collision with the tree.
- [NTSB LAX04CA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA242.md): Vans RV-9A · The Sea Ranch, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2004 · N93AZ · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment, resulting in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB LAX04LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA239.md): Champion 7AC · La Porte, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2004 · N81471 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while flying along a mountainous ravine.
- [NTSB LAX04TA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA218.md): Eurocopter France AS350 B3 · Livermore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 21, 2004 · N216HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions while landing.
- [NTSB LAX04CA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA155.md): Jerry Garrison Christen Eagle II · Hollister, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 13, 2004 · N796L · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to obtain proper runway alignment and maintain clearance from a sign due to his inadequate visual lookout. Factors in the accident were crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB LAX04LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA055.md): Goodyear GZ-20A · Gardena, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2003 · N10A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed go-around during final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a fence. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from obstructions.
- [NTSB LAX04LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA025.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N15192 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path on final approach and his failure to ensure adequate clearance from obstacles. The dark night was a factor.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=CA&occurrence=220&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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" = 220)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=220&state=CA

---
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.
