# 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 38 of 70 · 3,485 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB FTW91DRA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRA03.md): Bronner Skybolt · Alvin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 8, 1991 · N773HD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. A factor was the pilot's decision to perform a low pass.
- [NTSB LAX91FA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA251.md): Varga 2150A · Livermore, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1991 · N8272J · Destroyed
  > An inflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX91LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA234.md): Cessna T-210 · St. Helena, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 1991 · N3Z · Substantial damage
  > That the pilot executed a poorly planned approach and failed to attain a proper touchdown point and delayed the go-around.
- [NTSB ATL91LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA102.md): Bell UH-1B · Lake Seminole, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 29, 1991 · N9650N · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the surface.
- [NTSB ATL91LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA101.md): Schweizer SGS2-33A · Little River, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 1991 · N1181S · Substantial damage
  > That the pilot dragged the right wing tip on final approach when he failed to control the aircraft. Factors to this accident were: a wind shift below the treetops.
- [NTSB ANC91LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA061.md): Rockwell S-2R · Larsen Bay, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 1991 · N4851X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue VFR into IMC conditions and failure to maintain proper altitude. Contributing to the accident was the low ceiling and fog.
- [NTSB MIA91LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA148.md): Hughes 269C · Tarpon Springs, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 18, 1991 · N10MY · Substantial damage
  > Delay by the pilot-in-command to apply adequate throttle & collective during transition off a dock for a takeoff over a lake. Contributing to the accident was his lack of total experience in the type operation.
- [NTSB DEN91FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA071.md): Cessna 172M · Wray, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1991 · N80077 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot intentionally buzzing and failure to maintain proper altitude.
- [NTSB BFO91FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA049.md): Cessna 172N · Lebanon, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1991 · N4650G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing was mountainous terrain, low clouds, and VFR flight into IMC.
- [NTSB SEA91LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA105.md): Grumman G-164A · Lapwai, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 1991 · N8792H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of an aerial application swath run. Factors include a downdraft condition and soft terrain.
- [NTSB FTW91DPG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG06.md): Grumman G-164A · Gillett, AR · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 14, 1991 · N9785 · Substantial damage
  > The windshiled becoming obscured by aerial application spray and the resultant limited vision from the cockpit.
- [NTSB LAX91LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA212.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Catalina Island, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 12, 1991 · N4291V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate altitude and intentional low flying which resulted in the airplane cruising into the water. A contributing factor related to the pilot's poor judgment.
- [NTSB MIA91LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA139.md): Cessna TU-206G · Gulf Of Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 1991 · N6567Z · Destroyed
  > An in flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB FTW91DRG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRG02.md): Cessna 188 · La Feria, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 9, 1991 · N8184V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeded the proper descent rate.
- [NTSB LAX91LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA205.md): Bell 206 · Searchlight, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 1991 · N49720 · Destroyed
  > Cannot be determined in that the helicopter was stolen and the certainty of the resulting damage to the helicopter may have been intentional or accidental.
- [NTSB LAX91LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA197.md): Cessna 150 · Fernley, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 1991 · N45301 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to adequately assess the climb performance of the accident airplane due to being under the influence of alcohol.
- [NTSB SEA91FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA095.md): Cessna 150H · Sumpter, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1991 · N970MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning and decisions and the pilot's VFR flight into IMC conditions.
- [NTSB MIA91LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA125.md): Rutan Aircraft Factory Vari EZE · Panama City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 1991 · N32F · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command misjudged his altitude while conducting an aerobatic maneuver, resulting in an in flight collision with water.
- [NTSB LAX91LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA182.md): Robinson R22-BETA · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1991 · N4066J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM. Factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning.
- [NTSB FTW91LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA068.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Port Lavaca, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 1991 · N4695Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertent stall at an altitude too low for recovery. A factor was the pilot's low pass.
- [NTSB SEA91LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA087.md): Cessna 172H · Coeur D'Alene, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 16, 1991 · CFBET · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgement of his aircraft's climb capability when flying towards rising terrain. Factors include his lack of familiarity with the geographic area.
- [NTSB LAX91LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA154.md): Mooney M-20E · Lee Vining, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1991 · N1941Y · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue due to a lengthy cross country flight.
- [NTSB SEA91LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA074.md): Cessna 180 · Friday Harbor, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 1991 · N2601Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb gradient and rate as a result of his inadequate compensation for wind conditions.
- [NTSB LAX91LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA149.md): Beech V-35-A · Superior, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 1991 · N9462S · Destroyed
  > Visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB BFO91LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA034.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33 · Buchanan, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 1991 · N2451W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt the takeoff with unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB CHI91FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA108.md): Piper PA-30 · Thief River Fls, MN · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 1991 · N8290Y · Destroyed
  > Improper IFR procedure of the pilot, while intercepting the ILS localizer, by not maintianing the minimum descent altitude (mda) for that segment of the approach.
- [NTSB BFO91LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA032.md): Piper PA32-260 · Roanoke, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 1991 · N4870T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance on a night visual approach.
- [NTSB LAX91FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA132.md): Hawker Siddeley DH.125-1A/522 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 10 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1991 · N831LC · Destroyed
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance over mountainous terrain, and the copilot's failure to adequately monitor the progress of the flight. Factors related to the accident were: insufficient…
- [NTSB FTW91FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA049.md): Beech 36 · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1991 · N23535 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's disregard for the minimum descent altitude and failure to perform a missed approach. Factors were the pilot's attempt to fly into known adverse weather conditions, low ceiling, rain, and fog.
- [NTSB DEN91FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA049.md): Beech F33A · Sterling, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 1991 · N4179S · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement of the pilot and his misjudgement of altitude while buzzing over glassy water. His lack of visual ques to judge altitude over glassy water was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX91FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA124.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 1991 · N711PE · Destroyed
  > Incapacitation of the pilot due to inadequate sleep.
- [NTSB DEN91FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA051.md): Beech 58 · Whites City, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 1991 · N2019V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inflight decision to fly at low altitude. Factors were: turbulence and downdrafts.
- [NTSB DEN91FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA048.md): Cessna T210M · Taos, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 1991 · N761MU · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to initiate flight into freezing rain which resulted in structural icing that exceeded the ability of the aircraft to maintain flight. A factor was: improper deicing.
- [NTSB DEN91FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA042.md): Cessna U206 · Yampa, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 1991 · N8014Z · Destroyed
  > Inadvertent accelerated stall by the pilot in command while attempting a turn in close proximity to terrain. A factor was the high altitude.
- [NTSB LAX91LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA097.md): Robinson R22A · Piru, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 10, 1991 · N8491A · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the CFI to maintain main rotor RPM during a demonstrated autorotation.
- [NTSB ANC91LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA027.md): Cessna 207 · Kivalina, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 10, 1991 · N9651M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure in not identifying the weather conditions along the route. Contributing to the accident was improper in flight planning and decision by the PIC and the whiteout conditions.
- [NTSB LAX91FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA094.md): Boeing N2S-3 · Sonoma, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1991 · N1065M · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command/cfi's performance of a low altitude aerobatic maneuver from which he failed to recover. Factors which contributed to the accident related to the pic's improper inflight decision, poor judgment, and his psychological condition.
- [NTSB ATL91FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA052.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Munford, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 1991 · N27818 · Destroyed
  > The pilot attempting visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions below the minimum safe altitude for terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the low ceiling and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA91FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA046.md): Cessna C-172 · Colstrip, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 1991 · N8531B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's lack of total night flight experience, his lack of recent night flight experience, the dark night light conditions, and the mountainous/hilly terrain…
- [NTSB NYC91FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA067.md): MBB BK 117 B-1 · Sonestown, PA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1991 · N891GM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning to assure that the intended course and altitude provided adequate terrain clearance. Contributing factor(s) was: the dark night, snow and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB ATL91FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA043.md): Cessna 337C · Bryson City, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1991 · N2589S · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain by the noninstrument rated pilot.
- [NTSB ATL91FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA042.md): Cessna 310 · Brunswick, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 1991 · N3602D · Destroyed
  > The incapacitation of the pilot.
- [NTSB SEA91LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA045.md): Cessna C-150L · Alderwood Manor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 1991 · N5437Q · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot in command to attain proper clearance from terrain. A factor relating to this accident was the night light conditions.
- [NTSB LAX91LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA067.md): Piper PA 34-200T · Red Bluff, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 1991 · N66SL · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot in command to detect a descent below the minimum descent altitude for the approach in use.
- [NTSB SEA91FA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA262.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Dayville, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 1991 · N8982D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor in flight decision. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB DEN91LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA030.md): Cessna 206A · Carlsbad, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 1991 · N2691X · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control by the pilot during landing roll due to his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB NYC91DGT01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DGT01.md): Kolb Twin Star · Carlisle, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 26, 1990 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above the ground.
- [NTSB ANC91FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA018.md): Cessna 208 · False Pass, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1990 · N9444F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions. The terrain and weather were factors.
- [NTSB SEA91FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA120.md): Cessna 182H · Thompson, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1990 · N2466X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudged descent. Contributing to the accident was the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ANC91FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA017.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Evanston, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1990 · N4082H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's premature descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue and poor weather.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=230&page=39

## 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=38

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