# 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 36 of 70 · 3,485 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB SEA92LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA031.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Missoula, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 1991 · N6408P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's poor in-flight decision, failure to perform a missed approach, and improper altitude. Factors include poor preflight planning/preparation, and weather conditions below approach minimums.
- [NTSB SEA92LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA030.md): Artic S-1B2 · Lysite, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1991 · N71AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were rising terrain, downdrafts, and the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.
- [NTSB DEN92FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA016.md): Cessna 210M · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1991 · N1231M · Destroyed
  > Insufficient terrain clearance altitude selected by the pilot in command.
- [NTSB MIA92LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA042.md): Bell 206L-3 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 1991 · N206CM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in commands failure to maintain tailrotor ground clearance while hovering resulting in the tail striking the ground and the subsequent separation of the tailrotor and gearbox.
- [NTSB LAX92FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA058.md): Piper PA31-350 · Temple Bar, AZ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1991 · N350MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's poor inflight decision by not electing to proceed to an alternate airport and to continue to the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions. The low ceilings and visibilities across the flight route and…
- [NTSB LAX92LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA057.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Pine Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1991 · N36506 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to monitor the proper altitude over obserable rising terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's encounter with a strong downdraft.
- [NTSB FTW92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA039.md): Cessna 152 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1991 · N4628Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's performance which led to a situation where it could not climb above the rising terrain. A factor was the high density altitude which existed in the mountains at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB NYC92LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA040.md): Piper PA28R-200 · Piqua, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1991 · N55786 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot allowed the airplane to get too low on short final and struck the terrain short of the runway. Factors in the accident were the proper glide path was not maintained, resulting in the intended touchdown point not being attained.
- [NTSB CHI92LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA038.md): Swearingen SA-226T · Iowa, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1991 · N14TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in the propeller blades contacting the runway during the landing. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow a checklist during the approach.
- [NTSB FTW92LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA026.md): Bell 47G3B2A · Texarkana, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1991 · N8134J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper terrain clearance during takeoff. A factor was his lack of total experience in helicopters.
- [NTSB NYC92LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA031.md): Mooney M20C · Painesville, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1991 · N9637M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the powerline tower structure while executing a visual approach to the airport. Factors related to the accident were the lack of proper radio equipment necessary to execute the instrument approach, restricted visibility…
- [NTSB ATL92FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA024.md): Cessna 208B · Destin, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1991 · N951FE · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to follow instrument flight rules procedures by disregarding the minimum descent altitude for the approach and failing to maintain clearance from the terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's over confidence in his personal ability.
- [NTSB LAX92FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA283.md): Cessna 336A · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1991 · N3848U · Destroyed
  > 1) The pilot inadequately evaluating the weather, and 2) the pilot making the inflight decision to continue flight into adverse weather conditions. Factors in this accident were 1) the inability of the pilot to see the mountainous terrain due to the ambient…
- [NTSB LAX92LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA044.md): Cessna 170B · Lake Havasu, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1991 · N8172A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's; 1) inadequate preflight preparation, 2) failure to obtain current NOTAM information, and 3) failure to obtain a current altimeter setting. Factors in the accident were the dark night condition and the pilot election not to use the landing light.
- [NTSB MIA92GA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92GA024.md): Cessna 172N · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 8, 1991 · N739WS · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude during a low pass at night. Contributing factors were the pilot's likely spatial disorientation due to the lack of surface visual clues, the dark night conditions, and the patchy fog conditions.
- [NTSB LAX92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA039.md): Cessna 172P · Williams, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1991 · N5337K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout.
- [NTSB NYC92FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA026.md): Piper L-3 · Plymouth, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 1991 · N6AN · Destroyed
  > The improper decision by the non-instrument-rated pilot to attempt VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, at a low altitude, which resulted in a collision with the water. Factors related to the accident were: the overconfidence of the pilot in…
- [NTSB NYC92FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA025.md): Beech V35B · Newfield, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 1991 · N1WT · Destroyed
  > Inflight collision with the ground for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX92FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA033.md): Cessna 337F · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1991 · N1734M · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain a proper descent rate and to adequately judge the above ground altitude of the aircraft during the approach. Factors in the accident were: 1) the dark night conditions, 2) the pilot's degraded visual perceptive ability, and 3)…
- [NTSB BFO92FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA005.md): Piper PA-28-180 · West Wardsboro, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1991 · N8855J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's flight into known adverse weather. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate flight and weather planning.
- [NTSB BFO92LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA003.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Waynesboro, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1991 · N34396 · Substantial damage
  > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the instructor (CFI). Contributing to the accident was the instructor's failure to properly monitor the student's performance.
- [NTSB SEA92FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA222.md): Maule M-5-235C · Moran, WY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1991 · N19AR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance and altitude from terrain while maneuvering, and his failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors contributing to the accident are terrain-induced turbulence, unfavorable winds, gusty high winds,…
- [NTSB SEA92LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA015.md): Cessna 177A · Trout Lake, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 1991 · N30515 · Substantial damage
  > An inadequate compensation for wind, and proper climb rate not being maintained. Factors include inadequate preflight planning, the pilot's over-confidence in his own ability and the ability of the aircraft, lack of experience in this type of operation, and a…
- [NTSB SEA92FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA001.md): North American Navion · Ola, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1991 · N91577 · Destroyed
  > An incapacitating heart attack while in flight.
- [NTSB NYC92LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA001.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, ME · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1991 · N2065E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was buzzing and stalled the airplane at too low an altitude to recover.
- [NTSB LAX91LA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA412.md): Christian Ind. Eagle II · Incline Village, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 1991 · N432EC · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to recover from the maneuver in a timely manner which resulted in the airplane striking the water.
- [NTSB SEA91LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA252.md): Cessna 152 · Malaga, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1991 · N4740H · Substantial damage
  > The instructor pilot's failure to insure adequate terrain clearance during the go-around maneuver. Factors contributing to the accident were 1) rising terrain, 2) high density altitude condition, and 3) the instructor pilot's delay of the go-around.
- [NTSB NYC91LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA254.md): Robinson R-22 · Point Judith, RI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1991 · N950CW · Destroyed
  > The pilot become disoriented and lost control of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was a dark night, flight over water, and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
- [NTSB LAX91LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA402.md): Cessna 150M · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1991 · N63553 · Destroyed
  > The passenger/certified flight instructor's poor judgement by interfering with the PIC and his failure to execute a timely go-around. Contributing to this accident was the cfi's misjudgment of altitude.
- [NTSB LAX91FA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA399.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Cupertino, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1991 · N8272Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude, his improper inflight decision to attempt flight below the base of an overcast layer of clouds toward rising mountainous terrain and the flight's inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions.…
- [NTSB BFO92DOA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92DOA01.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Belington, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Sep 18, 1991 · N2126P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the terrain which resulted in inflight collision with the terrain. Contributing was mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA91LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA237.md): Cessna 170B · Curtis, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1991 · N4693C · Destroyed
  > A misjudged maneuver due to physical impairment by alcohol. Contributing to the accident was overconfidence in personal ability.
- [NTSB LAX91FA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA394.md): Cessna 210 · Rialto, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1991 · N6558X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and poor inflight planning/decision. The pilot's impairment due to the use of drugs was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX91LA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA391.md): Schweizer 269C · Kahului, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1991 · N6128Q · Destroyed
  > The student pilot entry into an uncontrolled descent while attempting to perform an autorotation. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB FTW91DRD08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD08.md): Cessna 152 · Ruston, LA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 11, 1991 · N93621 · Substantial damage
  > The cfi's exceeding the airplane's takeoff performance capability.
- [NTSB CHI91FA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA291.md): Beech 95 · Killdeer, ND · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1991 · N393B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's disregarding the weather forecast; his improper in-flight decision to continue a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions; and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain. The mountainous hilly terrain and low ceiling were…
- [NTSB LAX91LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA387.md): Rotorway Exec 90 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1991 · N7456T · Substantial damage
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB DEN91DTE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91DTE02.md): Cresawn Pitts S1-C · Calhan, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Sep 3, 1991 · N939PC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain adequate aircraft control to avoid terrain collision.
- [NTSB ATL91LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA169.md): Bates, Frank L Skybolt · Yatesville, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1991 · N9FB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude during maneuvering flight.
- [NTSB NYC91LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA227.md): Hughes 269C · Galloway, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 1991 · N9590F · Substantial damage
  > Improper supervision by the flight instructor which resulted in an inadvertent ground contact and a dynamic rollover. A factor related to the accident was improper use of the flight controls by the non-rated student pilot.
- [NTSB NYC91LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA226.md): Mooney M20J · Nantucket, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 1991 · N296TH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's descent below the ILS glide path and his delay in initiating a missed approach which resulted in collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX91LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA378.md): Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-B · Mojave, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 1991 · N901DH · Destroyed
  > The glider pilot's inadequate altitude to clear terrain. Factors which related to the pilot being low could not be established because the pilot had no memory of the accident, and no witnesses were identified who observed the glider other than during its…
- [NTSB SEA91FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA223.md): Aerospatiale 350 B1 · Walton, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 1991 · N64SF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB FTW91LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA157.md): Cessna 172K · Fisher, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1991 · N7043G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use the aircraft performance data to compute the takeoff distance. A factor was the high density altitude.
- [NTSB CHI91DCJ07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCJ07.md): Piper PA-25-150 · Stapleton, NE · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 23, 1991 · N6070Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's disregard for aircraft performance data. Related factors are the pilot's poor weather evaluation, and delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB ANC91FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA132.md): Cessna 172 · Eklutna Lake, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 1991 · N98785 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the high terrain.
- [NTSB SEA91FA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA216.md): Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1991 · N68HA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempting to operate VFR in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were upsloping terrain in the aircraft's flight path as well as weather conditions resulting in an obscuration of the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC91LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA130.md): Cessna U206-G · Rainy Pass, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1991 · N756WR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeded the climb performance of the aircraft.
- [NTSB DEN91LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA114.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Clovis, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1991 · N4535K · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from rising/uneven terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, and the lack of visual cues for the pilot.
- [NTSB LAX91LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA357.md): Robinson R22B · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1991 · N4037A · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the student pilot to maintain adequate control of the helicopter and stop a descent, while maneuvering. The pilot's disorientation was a contributing factor.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=230&page=37

## 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=36

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