# 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 42 of 70 · 3,485 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC90LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA011.md): Cessna 150 · Birchwood, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 1989 · N714MS · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Related factors were: dark night, snow covered runway, inadequate snow removal from the runway by personnel (who were responsible for snow removal), and the snowbank (berm).
- [NTSB FTW90LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA022.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Marietta, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 1989 · N536SF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's use of the wrong runway for takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: the tailwind and rising terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.
- [NTSB SEA90LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA011.md): I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 · Chilcoot, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1989 · N72598 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning. Contributing to the accident was a down draft and the pilot's lack of recent expereince in this aircraft type.
- [NTSB NYC90LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA025.md): Bell 47G-3B1 · Westfield, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1989 · N57919 · Substantial damage
  > Loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the tail rotor striking the ground and separating from the helicopter.
- [NTSB ATL90GA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90GA023.md): Sikorsky SK-70 · Marathon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 3, 1989 · N23576 · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain the proper altitude over the ocean water. Factors related to the accident were: continued operation of the helicopter with a known partial deficiency of the radio altimeter/warning system, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual…
- [NTSB MIA90FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA021.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Apopka, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1989 · N7526S · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance above the water, while proceeding over a lake and approaching the vicinity of the airport.
- [NTSB MIA90FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA022.md): Piper 601P · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1989 · N50TR · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to properly follow the IFR procedure and to identify the decision height. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual perception without the approach lights, and tree(s) in…
- [NTSB MKC90FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA019.md): Cessna 320 · Nebraska City, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1989 · N5725X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue the flight into IFR conditions and the failure to maintain adequate alittude. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's over confidence in his ability and the lack of instrument flight experience.
- [NTSB LAX90LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA014.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1989 · N7594J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's neglect in failure to ensure adequate clearance was available to pass the parked refueling vehicle. The refueling vehicle parking position on an active taxiway was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB DEN90LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA014.md): Cessna 206F · Opheim, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1989 · N33211 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing a low pass.
- [NTSB LAX90LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA013.md): Robinson R22A · Simi Valley, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1989 · N84817 · Substantial damage
  > Student pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude.
- [NTSB MIA90FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA017.md): Cessna 150L · Columbia, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 1989 · N19007 · Destroyed
  > Suicide. The pilot's emotional state of distress was a related factor.
- [NTSB CHI90LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA011.md): Cessna 152 · Hillsdale, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1989 · N757GB · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement of the student pilot by not following his flight instructor's directions on his first supervised solo flight and by not maintaining a safe altitude, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Related factors were: unauthorized low flight…
- [NTSB DEN90LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA006.md): Beech A36 · Las Vegas, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1989 · N6029S · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff, when she failed to attain sufficient speed within the appropriate takeoff distance. A factor related to the accident was: high density altitude.
- [NTSB ANC90LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA001.md): Cessna 208 · King Salmon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1989 · N9382F · Substantial damage
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot. Contributing factors were: the surrounding terrain, unfavorable wind, downdraft, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographical area, and his self induced pressure.
- [NTSB NYC90LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA001.md): Cessna 172P · Bingham, ME · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1989 · N89219 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning to assure that the airplane was capable of outclimbing the surrounding terrain under the existing wind and airplane weight conditions, resulting in an intentional stall into the terrain. Contributing factor(s) was:…
- [NTSB LAX89FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA334.md): Cessna 152 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1989 · N6422M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to enter into IMC while flying under VFR. Factors contributing to accident were: low ceilings, poor planning and decisions, failure to obtain a preflight briefing and not performing a weather evaluation.
- [NTSB SEA89FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA180.md): Cessna 177RG · Nyssa, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1989 · N8055G · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to attain sufficient altitude before flying over mountainous/hilly terrain. Factors related to the accident were: dark night, rising/mountainous terrain, and probable impairment from a prescription drug.
- [NTSB MKC89FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA197.md): Cessna 172N · Hyannis, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1989 · N733FY · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude. Darkness and adverse weather conditions were related factors.
- [NTSB MIA89FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA252.md): Cessna 152 · Ochopee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1989 · N47009 · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance over the terrain. Related factors were: dark night, spatial disorientation of the pilot, and his lack of experience in the type of operation (night flying).
- [NTSB NYC89FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA220.md): MBB BO-105CB-4 · Tuckerton, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1989 · N5353V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delay in remedial action by delaying the pull-up from a descending maneuver.
- [NTSB ANC89LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA168.md): de Havilland DHC-6 · Sleepy Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1989 · N851TB · Substantial damage
  > Selection of unsuitable terrain (water condition) by the pilot. The rough water condition was a related factor.
- [NTSB CHI89LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA185.md): Cessna C172R · Frankenmuth, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1989 · N23666 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff as a result of a diversion of attention due to a possible engine problem.
- [NTSB DEN89LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA216.md): Cessna 172N · Provo, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1989 · N75815 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain the proper glidepath during a practice instrument approach resulting in a collision with terrain. Contributing factor(s) was: the dark night light condition.
- [NTSB SEA89LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA166.md): Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE-LA-4-200 · Klawock, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1989 · N2582P · Destroyed
  > The pilot misjudged the aircraft height above water while attempting to land on a lake. A contributing factor was the smooth, glassy water surface conditions on the lake.
- [NTSB DEN89FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA209.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Lk Havasu City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 1989 · N3999W · Destroyed
  > Pilot's attention diverted outside the airplane. This diversion resulted in the pilot failing to monitor his altitude while in a descending turn and inadvertently flying the airplane into the water.
- [NTSB DEN89FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA208.md): Piper PA-24-180 · Grantsville, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 1989 · N7835P · Destroyed
  > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, by entering a box canyon with insufficient altitude to assure a safe exit. Contributing factors were: box canyon, rising terrain, and high density altitude.
- [NTSB ANC89FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA160.md): Cessna 185 · Tanacross, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 1989 · N4838C · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement by the pilot by buzzing the airport and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the terrain. The pilot's use of abrupt maneuvers was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB SEA89FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA156.md): Cessna TU206C · Skykomish, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1989 · N21NW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue the flight into IMC. The pilot did not adequately plan and prepare for the flight and was unable to maintain a proper altitude above the terrain for VMC. Fog was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA89LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA159.md): Cessna 182 · Atlanta, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1989 · N5451B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failue to adequately compensate for the downdraft conditions. Contributing factor(s) was: the downwind, downdraft, and high density altitude weather conditions, and the surrounding mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB MKC89LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA190.md): Air Tractor AT-401 · Wabbaseka, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1989 · N10103 · Substantial damage
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the tall vegetation (grass). The tall vegetation & high density altitude were considered to be contributing factors.
- [NTSB LAX89LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA289.md): Robinson R-22B · Tracy, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1989 · N80040 · Substantial damage
  > Dual student's failure to properly flare the helicopter during the autorotation power recovery and the cfi's failure to adequately supervise the dual student's performace during a critical phase of flight.
- [NTSB FTW89DRD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD13.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Rayville, LA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 22, 1989 · N90463 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient rotor RPM. A factor related to the accident was: the cotton crop.
- [NTSB ATL89DKJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ10.md): Piper PA-36-285 · Atmore, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 22, 1989 · N57581 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles (the crop) during an agricultural spray run.
- [NTSB MIA89LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA225.md): Cocchiarella Buccaneer II · Clermont, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1989 · N127FB · Substantial damage
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in a subsequent collison with the ground, when the acft would not climb after takeoff. The high obstructions (trees) and high density altitude were considered to be contributing factors.
- [NTSB DEN89LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA196.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Dove Creek, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1989 · N56654 · Substantial damage
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot. Factors related to the accident were: high density altitude, uphill sloping runway, failure of the pilot to follow the checklist and use all of the available runway, and the rising terrain and obstruction (power line)…
- [NTSB MIA89LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA224.md): Beech 18 · Greenwood, MS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1989 · N5724M · Substantial damage
  > Inadvertent wheels up landing by the pilot.
- [NTSB LAX89LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA278.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Butte Meadows, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 1989 · N3795K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot improper in-flight planning to attain proper altitude to clear the mountainous terrain. Contributing factor(s) was: the high terrain and high density attitude.
- [NTSB ANC89LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA138.md): Cessna 207-A · Tanana, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1989 · N6370H · Substantial damage
  > Pilot-in-command's improper inflight planning and decisions. He flew into weather that was known to be adverse, and the environmental conditions adversely affected his ability to safely complete the flight.
- [NTSB NYC89LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA187.md): Grumman AA-5 · Mount Joy, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1989 · N1611R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in initiating a go-around, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point and the crop.
- [NTSB ANC89LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA139.md): Maule M-5 · Nebesna Glacier, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1989 · N5644W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot allowed the aircraft to inadvertently touch down, he delayed making a go-around, and he did not maintain sufficient speed to continue the go-around. Contributing factors were: the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain, high vegetation in the…
- [NTSB SEA89LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA147.md): Cessna 152 · Mollala, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1989 · N95099 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot displayed poor judgement and did not adequately plan for the flight. The pilot was unfamiliar with the area and terrain conditions. As a result, the airplane was not able to attain sufficient altitude for the conditions to clear the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX89FA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA276.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Toms Place, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1989 · N6274W · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to attain sufficient altitude to clear terrain obstructions before entering a high elevation basin. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude which reduced the aircraft's climb performance to less than the rate of climb of…
- [NTSB DEN89FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA184.md): Cessna 172M · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1989 · N64263 · Destroyed
  > The pilot deliberately flew his aircraft into the face of a mountain. A contributing factor was: the psychological condition of the pilot.
- [NTSB LAX89LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA264.md): Cessna 182 · Parker Dam, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 1989 · N5070H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in making a go-around, and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the aborted landing. The runway/terrain condition was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX89LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA258.md): Cessna 152 · Fremont, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1989 · N5298B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper inflight decison to land on an unlighted runway during the hours of darkness. Darkness and the lack of runway lights were related factors.
- [NTSB ATL89FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA193.md): Texas Helicopter OH-13/M74 · Norman Park, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1989 · N51850 · Destroyed
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in his physical impairment from exposure to lannate, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance above the ground. A factor related to the accident was: failure of the pilot to use a respirator while…
- [NTSB SEA89LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA144.md): Robinson R22 · Brinnon, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 1989 · N933CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning. The helicopter skid contacted the water as a result of the pilot's misjudgement of clearance above the water.
- [NTSB MIA89LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA203.md): Grumman G-164A · Schlater, MS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1989 · N4579 · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot which resulted in the selection of the wrong runway. The tailwindand dirt bank were considered to be contributing factors.
- [NTSB DEN89LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA173.md): Beech A36 · Cimarron, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1989 · N26208 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to properly plan his flight. He failed to take into account the changable winds and the high density altitude that existed at the airstrip when he attempted to takeoff. A proper climb rate was not possible and theaircraft stalled/mushed…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?occurrence=230&page=43

## 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=42

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