# NTSB investigations, AZ: 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 1 of 3 · 123 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX07FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA160.md): Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 · Lake Pleasant, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2007 · N512DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the surface of water during an intentional buzzing maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the nighttime lighting environment.
- [NTSB LAX07FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA062.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Young, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2006 · N457S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight while flying at night at an altitude to remain clear of clouds and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident were an inadequate weather evaluation, the clouds, icing conditions, and…
- [NTSB LAX07LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA027.md): Air Creations Tanarg 912 · Bisbee, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2006 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX06FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA304.md): Cessna 182K · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2006 · N2700Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain in a high density altitude environment.
- [NTSB LAX06FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA243.md): Raytheon G36 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2006 · N241JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged distance and speed that led to a long landing, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, all due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted…
- [NTSB LAX06FA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA206.md): Cessna 180 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2006 · N1535C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a low level flyby maneuver. A factor was glare from the sun and shadows created by the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB DEN06FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06FA028.md): Cessna 182D · Heber, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2006 · N182GV · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain. Contributing factors included the pilot's lack of night flying experience and the dark night.
- [NTSB LAX05LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA215.md): Beech BE76 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2005 · N5274M · Destroyed
  > the flight instructor's decision to attempt a single engine go-around with multiple aircraft system failures, and his improper in-flight decision to pass up one airport for landing and continue the flight to the home base airport with known mechanical…
- [NTSB LAX05LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA210.md): Cirrus Design SR-22 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2005 · N626Z · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's delay in executing a timely go-around and failure to raise the flaps, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX05LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA135.md): Cameron Balloons A-210 · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2005 · N210EW · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the flying pilot to attain a proper climb rate and maintain an adequate clearance from rising terrain. Also causal was the commercial pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB LAX05LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA086.md): Austin Pitts Special · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2005 · N109WM · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude from the airport surface when performing an intentional low altitude flyby maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX04LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA313.md): Redgate Europa Classic · Marble Canyon, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2004 · N912EE · Destroyed
  > an in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA054.md): Cessna 172S · Wikieup, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2003 · N518ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an en route altitude that did not provide adequate terrain clearance, and resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain. The rising terrain and the blind/box canyon were contributing factors.
- [NTSB LAX04LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA053.md): Cessna 172P · Fountain Hills, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2003 · N97056 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate altitude during a go-around following a simulated forced landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX03MA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03MA292.md): Aerospatiale AS350BA · GrandCanyonWest, AZ · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 20, 2003 · N270SH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's disregard of safe flying procedures and misjudgment of the helicopter's proximity to terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a canyon wall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of Sundance Helicopters and the Federal…
- [NTSB LAX03LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA188.md): Ayres S2R-G10 · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2003 · N6117X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance/altitude from terrain during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's diverted attention while resetting a circuit breaker.
- [NTSB LAX03FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA076.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2003 · N3636Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were dark night conditions, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB LAX02LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA178.md): Bell 206L-1 · Meadview, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2002 · N1075S · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain distance and altitude during landing approach, resulting in the helicopter striking the ground during approach.
- [NTSB MIA02FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02FA098.md): Grob G120A · Mobile, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2002 · N866AF · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX02FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA166.md): Socata TB-21 · New River, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 2002 · N328CG · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude during a cruise descent that resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Factors in the accident were the rising mountainous terrain, the dark nighttime lighting condition, and the…
- [NTSB LAX02LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA111.md): Avian Magnum IX · Sedona, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2002 · N2037U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the landing approach after encountering a high wind condition. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to use the trees to try and slow the balloon's ground speed.
- [NTSB LAX02LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA054.md): Piper PA-28RT-201 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2001 · N3023K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate removal of snow and ice from the surfaces of the airplane before takeoff.
- [NTSB LAX01FA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA279.md): Beech F-33A · Mobile, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2001 · N3172P · Destroyed
  > The flying pilot's initiation of an intentional maneuver at an altitude inadequate to maintain terrain clearance. Low altitude flight was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB LAX00FA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA346.md): Cessna 182G · Tuba City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2000 · N3103S · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadvertent descent into terrain on the downwind leg for landing. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and sparse population.
- [NTSB LAX00FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA207.md): Cessna 172RG · Prescott, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2000 · N5207U · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and his failure to correct an inappropriate descent during maneuvering flight, while engaged in commercial flight training maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX00LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA033.md): Raven RX-7 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 1999 · N4046M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in initiating a climb and his subsequent failure to attain and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX99LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA223.md): Devor MXL II · Tonopah, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1999 · N98MD · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the uncertificated pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB LAX99LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA154.md): Cessna A150L · Lake Mary, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1999 · N6085J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional buzzing and misjudged altitude/clearance with the nearby rising terrain. Contributing factors were the high density, the airplane's high gross weight, and the pilot's improper in-flight decisions.
- [NTSB LAX99FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA080.md): North American T-6G-NA · New River, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 1999 · N2757G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delayed recovery after an intentional stall/spin of 3 to 4 rotations. A factor was the pilot's inadequate entry altitude for the intended maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX98LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA207.md): Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Skull Valley, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 1998 · N45053 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX98LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA195.md): Blackmore RV-4 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 1998 · N813R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to perform aerobatics with insufficient terrain clearance altitude available to complete the maneuver. A factor was high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX98FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA050.md): Mooney M20J · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1997 · N301JL · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance during the climb. Contributing factors were dark night conditions, mountainous/hilly terrain, and mountain wave weather conditions.
- [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 LAX97LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA155.md): Gordon Price Ultimate 10-300S · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1997 · N325GP · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate vertical clearance from the runway, while flying inverted. Factors relating to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, and the pilot's lack of visual ques due to the light conditions.
- [NTSB LAX97LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA041.md): Beech F33A · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1996 · N1567P · Substantial damage
  > improper planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), which resulted in his failure to recover from a descent during demonstration of a simulated (engine-out) emergency procedure.
- [NTSB LAX97FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA003.md): Cessna 172RG · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 1996 · N6267R · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, which resulted in an inability to outclimb rising/wooded terrain after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the pilot to ensure that the aircraft's gross weight was not exceed…
- [NTSB LAX96FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA339.md): Cessna T207A · Littlefield, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1996 · N6468H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during descent for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the dark night and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX96LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA230.md): Ayres S2R · Oracle, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 1996 · N4006K · Destroyed
  > the pilot's improper decision to turn toward rising terrain, without releasing or jettisoning the load of fire retardant, while maneuvering at slow airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were:…
- [NTSB LAX96FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA114.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · New River, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 1996 · N2596Z · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the terrain, while performing an aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX95LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA293.md): Pitts S-2B · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1995 · N540RJ · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot by allowing the trainee to initiate a late go-around from a simulated forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX95LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA285.md): Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1995 · N462E · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a tail wind landing to a short runway.
- [NTSB LAX95FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA173.md): Cessna 182P · Jerome, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1995 · N85DK · Destroyed
  > the pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue the daytime flight into known adverse weather conditions at an inadequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX95LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA087.md): Stevens S-8 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 1995 · N66191 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane to avoid a collision with the ground.
- [NTSB LAX94FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA171.md): Cessna 206 · Show Low, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1994 · N5222U · Destroyed
  > the pilot's intentional VFR flight into known adverse IMC weather conditions. Inadequate preflight planning, dark night operations, and weather conditions that included low ceilings and mountain obscuration were factors in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX94LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA160.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 1994 · N189AC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delayed pullout from a vertical aerobatic maneuver for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX94FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA007.md): Cessna 172N · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 1993 · N5365D · Destroyed
  > the pilot's decision to continue VFR at an improper altitude into mountainous terrain at night and the inadvertent encounter with clouds along the route. Self-induced pressure due to a low fuel state contributed to the accident.
- [NTSB LAX93LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA225.md): Cessna 172N · Page, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 1993 · N734DB · Destroyed
  > the pilot's selection of an inadequate cruise altitude. A factor in the accident was the high winds and turbulence in the vicinity of the cliffs.
- [NTSB LAX93LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA102.md): Cessna 172N · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 1993 · N737EA · Substantial damage
  > The pilots inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his delay in executing a go around. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.
- [NTSB LAX93LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA100.md): Wohlers Steen Skybolt · Fountain Hills, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 1993 · N8LW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's initiation of a low level aerobatic maneuver at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain clearance.
- [NTSB LAX93LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA043.md): Hughes 269C · Camp Verde, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1992 · CGGLF · Substantial damage
  > The pilots intentional maneuvering flight at a altitude inadequate to ensure terrain clearance.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=AZ&occurrence=230&page=2

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AZ' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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&state=AZ

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