# 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 37 of 70 · 3,485 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CHI91FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA266.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Boyne City, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1991 · N6704V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's diverted attention..
- [NTSB SEA91LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA206.md): Beech V35B · Belgrade, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1991 · N18307 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb during the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the open cabin window and the pilot's diverting his attention.
- [NTSB SEA91FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA203.md): Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · Scappoose, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1991 · N77PW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of altitude, while performing an aerobatic maneuver, and his failure to maintain ground clearance.
- [NTSB FTW91FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA144.md): Piper PA-28RT-201T · Midland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1991 · N8144J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his physiological incaapacitation. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the usage of pain medications.
- [NTSB CHI91DTG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DTG07.md): Ayres S2R · Drayton, ND · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 7, 1991 · N4010H · Substantial damage
  > Misjudged clearance by the pilot. A factor related to the accident is overconfidence in personal ability.
- [NTSB DEN91FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA110.md): Cessna 177 · Hygiene, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1991 · N3185T · Destroyed
  > Suicide. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's other psychological condition.
- [NTSB LAX91LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA348.md): Experimental DSA-1 · Kingman, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 1991 · N4077K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain the proper altitude to ensure terrain clearance while conducting low level aerobatic maneuvers, resulting in an in flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB NYC91FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA196.md): Cessna 152 · New Paltz, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1991 · N6494Q · Destroyed
  > Failure of the instructor pilot (CFI) to assure that the proper altitude was maintained. A factor related to the accident was: the cfi's lack of experience in the type of operation.
- [NTSB CHI91LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA242.md): American AA1 · Spearville, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1991 · N6108L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain on which to perform a precautionary landing. Factors related to the accident were poor in flight/planning decision which resulted in the pilot becoming lost/disoriented.
- [NTSB NYC91FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA194.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Monongahela, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1991 · N3722W · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to achieve a proper touchdown on the runway due to diverted attention, pressure, and other psychological condition.
- [NTSB FTW91LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA138.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Wylie, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1991 · N23TV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the water. A factor was the pilot's ostentatious display.
- [NTSB FTW91DPG18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG18.md): Grumman G-164A · Dewitt, AR · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 31, 1991 · N5076 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper glidepath. A factor was the berm at the approach end of the runway.
- [NTSB BFO91FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA068.md): Beech V35A · Jonesville, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1991 · N118CB · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to assure that the instrument departure procedure was followed and that the aircraft remained clear of mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA91FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA183.md): Cessna 177RG · Salmon, ID · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 1991 · N1573H · Destroyed
  > Improper inflight planning and decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from mountainous/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB FTW91LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA125.md): Bell 47G-2 · Slidell, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 1991 · N312SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot performing a touchdown autorotation to unsuitable terrain. Factors were the soft terrain and the inadequate supervision by the FAA inspector.
- [NTSB LAX91LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA321.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Gerlach, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 1991 · N9977Q · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance by the selection of an inappropriate cruise altitude resulting in an in flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB FTW91DRG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRG04.md): Air Tractor AT-402 · Taft, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jul 21, 1991 · N4523L · Minor damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper terrain clearance.
- [NTSB CHI91LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA240.md): Piper J-3 · Saint Leo, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 1991 · N1402N · Substantial damage
  > Performance data was misjudged resulting in a positive climb not being attained by the pilot. A factor related to the accident was high density altitude.
- [NTSB SEA91FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA181.md): Cessna 180J · Newcastle, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1991 · N9962N · Destroyed
  > Pilot factor in that he did not maintain sufficient flying speed and allowed the aircraft to enter an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors include high density altitude.
- [NTSB NYC91LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA148.md): Cessna 172N · Lincoln Park, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 1991 · N737WG · Substantial damage
  > The decision of the pilot to discontinue a go-around, from an attempted landing, resulting in the airplane striking trees. A factor related to the accident was the lack of total flight experience of the student pilot.
- [NTSB CHI91DEV02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEV02.md): O'Connell Stits SA-3B · Casey, IL · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 18, 1991 · N2821 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper rate of climb after takeoff. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in model.
- [NTSB SEA91LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA177.md): Cessna 152 · Walla Walla, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1991 · N48965 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's poor compensation for wind conditions. Factors were downdrafts and the student pilots lack of experience in this type of operation.
- [NTSB ANC91IA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91IA102.md): De Havilland DHC2 MK1 · Iliamna, AK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 1991 · N6LU · Minor damage
  > The pilot-in-command's attempted flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the high and gusty winds in the accident area.
- [NTSB SEA91FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA170.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Driggs, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1991 · N501FL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor inflight decision and his improper compensation for wind. Factors were rising, mountainous terrain; high, gusty winds; and a high density altitude.
- [NTSB SEA91LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA168.md): Cessna 182A · Naches, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1991 · N2184G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor in-flight decision. Factors include high density altitude, high winds and downdrafts.
- [NTSB LAX91LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA305.md): Robinson R-22-B · San Jose, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1991 · N730SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to unlock the cyclic trim and to maintain his hover altitude. His lack of experience with the aircraft, inadequate preflight, and the uncontrolled descent were factors in the accident.
- [NTSB SEA91LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA165.md): Cessna 172N · Medford, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1991 · N734MD · Substantial damage
  > An intentional porpoise. Factors include the pilot's psychological condition.
- [NTSB LAX91LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA301.md): Grumman G-164B · Eloy, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1991 · N6633K · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain the terrain clearance of the aircraft while maneuvering for a potential emergency landing on a moonless dark night.
- [NTSB SEA91LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA158.md): Beech BE-77 · Benton City, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1991 · N1806C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's disregard of the airplane's performance capability. Contributing to the accident was high density altitude.
- [NTSB BFO91LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA065.md): Grumman AA-5 · Clarksville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1991 · N1615R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare and failure to arrest his descent rate.
- [NTSB SEA91LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA150.md): Cessna T188C · Riverton, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1991 · N2070J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate terrain clearance. A factor to the accident was: poor inflight planning/preparation.
- [NTSB FTW91DRA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRA05.md): Daniel La Lee Miget Mustang M-1 · Santa Fe, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jul 4, 1991 · N20LL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's performance of an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude inadequate to allow for safe recovery.
- [NTSB CHI91LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA207.md): Hughes 300C · Whitehall, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1991 · N58404 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water. A factor was the dark night light condition.
- [NTSB NYC91LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA167.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Rhinebeck, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1991 · N5002F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not calculated the airplane's performance data to insure that he had enough runway to clear an obstacle at the end of the field, which resulted in the airplane's landing gear striking high hedges, subsequently the pilot elected to land in a…
- [NTSB CHI91LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA205.md): Hiller UH-12D · Savoy, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1991 · N94515 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from the ground. A related factor is the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters.
- [NTSB CHI91LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA204.md): American AA-1 · Dexter, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 1991 · N5713L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delay in aborting the landing. A factor in the accident was his excessive speed on final approach.
- [NTSB FTW91DPA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPA02.md): Paul M. F. Walker Pitts S-1-C · Royse City, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jun 29, 1991 · N4PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's performance of an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude too low to allow recovery.
- [NTSB LAX91FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA281.md): Cessna 182Q · Fillmore, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 1991 · N759FY · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement by the pilot to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was IFR conditions that included low ceilings and low visibility and insufficient instrument training of the pilot to deal with the IFR…
- [NTSB CHI91DER08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER08.md): Bellanca 8GCBC · St. Hilaire, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jun 28, 1991 · N8714V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering.
- [NTSB FTW91DRD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD06.md): Bell 47-G2 · White Castle, LA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 26, 1991 · N8460E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper aircraft handling, which resulted in settling with power.
- [NTSB SEA91LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA146.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 1991 · N40450 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude. Contributing to the accident was sun glare.
- [NTSB LAX91LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA268.md): Cessna 172 · Payson, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 1991 · N8382B · Substantial damage
  > A premature liftoff, stall, and subsequent in flight collision with terrain. A factor related to the accident was the high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX91LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA273.md): Piper PA-28 · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1991 · N8745N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation and his failure to attain the proper altitude.
- [NTSB SEA91LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA137.md): Hughes 269B · Warrenton, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1991 · N9380F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain proper rotor speed during a simulated autorotation.
- [NTSB CHI91DEP10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEP10.md): Allan R. Goldman Dragonfly · Kenosha, WI · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 16, 1991 · N222TH · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate aircraft design and insufficient information regarding wing versus canard angle for an amateur built aircraft.
- [NTSB CHI91DER05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER05.md): Bell 47G3B1 · Lasalle, MN · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 11, 1991 · N73284 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain. A related factor is the pilot's misjudged altitude above the crop.
- [NTSB SEA91LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA145.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Corvallis, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1991 · N3474Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot displayed poor in-flight planning. A factor to the accident was: the pilot did not maintain a proper altitude over mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX91LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA243.md): Cessna 182E · Eureka, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1991 · N3046Y · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC conditions. The pilot's lack of total experience, his disregard to the preflight meteorological briefing he received, low ceilings, fog, and the mountainous terrain over which the flight was…
- [NTSB NYC91LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA152.md): Glasflugel Libelle 201B · Saratoga, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 1991 · N8041D · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to adequately flare when making an uphill landing. Factors related to the accident were the pilot continued attempts at finding lift which reduced his landing options when he decided to land.
- [NTSB FTW91LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA095.md): Schweizer G-164B · Newport, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 1991 · N36335 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper planning which resulted in his flying into his own chemicals.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=230&page=38

## 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=37

---
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.