# 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 21 of 70 · 3,485 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB FTW97LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA311.md): Air Tractor AT-402 · Patterson, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1997 · N90PK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
- [NTSB CHI97LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA254.md): Cessna A188B · Britton, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1997 · N91919 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain during the spray run and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn after having contacted the terrain. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB IAD97LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA108.md): Riekkenen Ryelong LE · Wurtsboro, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1997 · N4YC · Destroyed
  > The pilot performed an aerobatic maneuver and misjudged the altitude.
- [NTSB LAX97LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA275.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Monterey, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 1997 · N6086L · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from surrounding terrain.
- [NTSB FTW97FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA299.md): Beech 58P · Colorado Spring, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 1997 · N258W · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures; and his failure to maintain proper altitude, while executing a missed approach from an attempted ILS approach. Related factors included: low ceiling, rain, fog, the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability,…
- [NTSB FTW97LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA297.md): Beech F33A · Creede, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1997 · N179DD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional low altitude flight over mountainous terrain, inadequate altitude to clear surrounding obstacles, and his misjudging vertical clearance. A factor was the pilot's use of an inappropriate chart for navigation.
- [NTSB CHI97LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA234.md): Rutan Defiant · Alma, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1997 · N20SR · Destroyed
  > the pilot did not perform an adequate preflight check and he did not perform the takeoff checklist. Factors included the pilot's inadequate design of the safety latch and the canopy inadvertently deploying.
- [NTSB FTW97LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA300.md): Poor Boys Toys Exec 90 · Patricia, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1997 · N596PB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance with the crops during a surveying flight. A factor was the pilots diverted attention.
- [NTSB SEA97LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA179.md): Cessna 180B · Spanish Fork, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1997 · N929AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
- [NTSB LAX97FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA259.md): Piper J3C-85 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1997 · N3339N · Destroyed
  > improper judgement of the pilot by intentionally performing low level maneuvers, and his misjudgment of a level-off over water.
- [NTSB ANC97LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA110.md): Cessna 185 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1997 · N9855X · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance during the downslope, downwind, high altitude, takeoff. Factors were the snow and lighting conditions, and the tailwind takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA97LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA174.md): Bell 47G-3B1 · Idaho Falls, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 1997 · N3069G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to verify the proper chemical and fuel load aboard prior to takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were: excessive fuel and chemical loading by ground personnel, tailwind conditions, and high density altitude.
- [NTSB FTW97LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA275.md): Eichman Aerobat III · Brownsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 1997 · N17638 · Substantial damage
  > inadequate design by the pilot/builder/designer. Related factors were: the porpoise that was encountered by the pilot during the takeoff, and the subsequent jammed rudder.
- [NTSB CHI97LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA213.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1997 · N41371 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's premature liftoff and/or failure to abort the takeoff while there was sufficient runway remaining.
- [NTSB LAX97FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA241.md): Cessna TR182 · Panamint Spring, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 1997 · N757CF · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to attain a proper touchdown point for landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's attempt to land at the wrong airport, uphill slope of the runway, high density altitude, and…
- [NTSB NYC97FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA144.md): Cessna TR182 · Seaside Heights, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1997 · N737PK · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above water, while maneuvering over the ocean during a dark moonless night. Related factors were: darkness, the pilot's probable illusion of altitude, spatial disorientation, and lack of…
- [NTSB LAX97LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA244.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 1997 · N7435S · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, his failure to obtain the current wind information, his selection of the wrong runway, and his delay in aborting landing.
- [NTSB CHI97LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA211.md): Waco UPF-7 · Springfield, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 1997 · N30136 · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain safe altitude/clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to this accident were: the hazy weather condition, the resultant difficulty in keeping the other airplane in sight, and the pilot's diverted attention, while looking…
- [NTSB SEA97LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA163.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Big Creek, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 1997 · N4249Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's inadequate terrain clearance and failure to maintain directional control. Also, the overload of the aircraft's left main landing gear strut assembly. Factors contributing to the accident were high density altitude conditions, downdrafts…
- [NTSB MIA97LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA204.md): Moran Teenie TWO · Pinehurst, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1997 · N9753 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind and improper recovery from a bounced landing. This resulted in a premature lift off, in-flight collision with terrain, on-ground loss of directional control, and subsequent on-ground collision with a taxiway…
- [NTSB FTW97LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA256.md): Let Blanik L-13 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1997 · N65378 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning in that he allowed the glider to descend to too low an altitude and stray too far from the airport, exceeding the aircraft's glide capabilities. A factor was his failure to utilize maximum braking action.
- [NTSB FTW97LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA250.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Ashdown, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1997 · N1798J · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent stall/mush. A factor was the high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX97FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA225.md): Cessna R172K · Moreno Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 1997 · N7373K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his attempt to climb through a low stratus cloud layer while in mountainous/hilly terrain. The pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the weather, and the terrain were…
- [NTSB MIA97LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA198.md): Grumman G-164B · Bainbridge, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1997 · N903X · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, and improper flare during an emergency (precautionary) landing, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent nose over. Factors related to the accident were: the…
- [NTSB FTW97LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA236.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Leadville, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1997 · N6306R · Substantial damage
  > an attempt by the pilot to fly the aircraft over mountainous terrain in a regime that was beyond its climb performance limit. High density altitude was a related factor.
- [NTSB MIA97LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA195.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Tunica, MS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 1997 · N45461 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots poor preflight planning preparation for attempting to takeoff with a tailwind and with the hopper loaded 3/4 full during a 93degree F., day at a density altitude of 2,400 feet.
- [NTSB LAX97FA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA286.md): Cessna 172N · Cuyama, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1997 · N6141D · Destroyed
  > undetermined.
- [NTSB SEA97LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA149.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Madras, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1997 · N1357T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors include high vegetation, rough runway, and failure to attain adequate flying speed.
- [NTSB SEA97LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA150.md): Corben Junior ACE · East Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 1997 · N9017 · Substantial damage
  > The dual student's improper attempt to abort the takeoff and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB FTW97FA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA229.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Las Animas, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1997 · N7308E · Destroyed
  > in-flight collision with terrain, while maneuvering, for undetermined reason(s).
- [NTSB SEA97LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA141.md): Wood Murphy Rebel · Marion, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1997 · N224MR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain/water. Factors include gusty winds and downdrafts.
- [NTSB LAX97LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA212.md): Schweizer G-164B · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1997 · N3631G · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by failing to ensure that sufficient airspeed would be obtained and/or maintained to remain clear of obstacles at the departure end of the runway. The obstacles (power lines & poles) were a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA97LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA140.md): Republic RC-3-1 · Monument Valley, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 1997 · N6290K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planing/preparation, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: high, gusty, variable winds, and terrain induced downdrafts.
- [NTSB LAX97FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA210.md): Cessna 210K · Topanga, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 1997 · N8276M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper VFR altitude over mountainous terrain obscured by clouds, and his intentional descent into instrument meteorological weather conditions.
- [NTSB LAX97GA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA205.md): Rockwell OV-10A · Hollister, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jun 10, 1997 · N94LM · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate ground clearance altitude while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.
- [NTSB CHI97LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA163.md): Siefert 5151RG · Shelbyville, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1997 · N81728 · Destroyed
  > the cause of the accident is undetermined.
- [NTSB SEA97LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA131.md): Cessna 182C · Hardin, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1997 · N8522T · Substantial damage
  > the student's delay in initiating a go-around. A factor relating to the accident was: the sunglare.
- [NTSB SEA97LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA125.md): Cessna 402C · Rawlins, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 1997 · N1233P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the initial climb after a night takeoff. Factors include a dark night and rising terrain off the departure end of the runway.
- [NTSB SEA97LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA123.md): Piper PA-38 · Fruitland, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 1997 · N2362K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors include his improper inflight decision to attempt to fly through a mountain pass under high density altitude conditions in an aircraft that was operating near the limits of its…
- [NTSB SEA97LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA115.md): Robinson R22B · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 1997 · N2328W · Substantial damage
  > improper handling of the helicopter by the student pilot/applicant, during a hover autorotation, which resulted in loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The check pilot's inadequate remedial action was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX97FA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA177.md): Beech A36TC · Truckee, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 1997 · N6174N · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance above the terrain, while turning (for an unknown reason) back toward the airport after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the environmental conditions (light conditions at dusk and high…
- [NTSB ATL97LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA071.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 1997 · N520SM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on a low pass, leading to propeller damage. A factor was birds in the area.
- [NTSB SEA97LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA099.md): Grumman G-164A · Rosalia, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 1997 · N7926 · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were, hilly terrain conditions and impairment due to recent use of marihuana.
- [NTSB FTW97LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA179.md): Callair A2A · Grants, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 1997 · N2915V · Substantial damage
  > Inadvertent stall. Factors were the ground depression, the high density altitude, and a lack of recent experience in the make and model of aircraft.
- [NTSB LAX97LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA173.md): Shoaf Christen Eagle II · Half Moon Bay, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1997 · N61GS · Destroyed
  > undetermined.
- [NTSB FTW97FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA171.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Rye, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 1997 · N2225A · Destroyed
  > The pilot initiating flight into IMC conditions in mountainous terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain, low ceiling, snow, preflight planning, and in-flight planning and decision making.
- [NTSB ANC97LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA061.md): Cessna 172 · Ninilchik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 1997 · N5407R · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance from a closed runway, while making a low pass, which resulted in an inadvertent touchdown.
- [NTSB MIA97FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA142.md): Boeing Stearman N2S-4 · Apex, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1997 · N61S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's ostentatious display by performing an aerobatic maneuver with inadequate altitude.
- [NTSB SEA97LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA088.md): Rockwell S-2R · Prescott, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1997 · N4978X · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance from uneven/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB NYC97LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA073.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Lumberton, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 1997 · N29M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in initiating remedial action to arrest an excessive descent rate during a go-around. A crosswind condition was a contributing factor.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=230&page=22

## 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."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?occurrence=230&page=21

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