# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 10 · 491 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX08CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA034.md): Air Tractor AT-401 · Soledad, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 6, 2007 · N6024M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application mission. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit.
- [NTSB SEA07CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA260.md): Robinson R-22B · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 12, 2007 · N965SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's loss of directional control while hovering, and the instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action while attempting to take control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB LAX07FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA272.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2007 · N119G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during descent. Contributing to the accident were dark night conditions and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA07CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA193.md): Robinson R 22 Beta · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2007 · N457SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper use of the throttle and cyclic, and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA080.md): Mooney M20J · Ranchita, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2007 · N201RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a cruise descent. Contributing to the accident were the dark night lighting conditions and the mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA060.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2006 · N9141Y · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX07LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA054.md): John Lauer Harmon Rocket II · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2006 · N604JL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during an aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX06CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA296.md): Bell 47G · Angels Camp, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2006 · N7762 · Substantial damage
  > a hard landing due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered on final approach and his failure to maintain an adequate translational lift airspeed.
- [NTSB LAX06LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA293.md): Champion 7EC · Clipper Mills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2006 · N9575S · Destroyed
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from ingestion of marijuana.
- [NTSB LAX06GA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06GA287.md): North American OV-10A · Porterville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Sep 6, 2006 · N419DF · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering over rising terrain in a box canyon. Also causal was the pilot's failure to adhere to procedures/directives regarding minimum altitude requirements.
- [NTSB LAX06LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA275.md): Terry Tevis RV-6A · Novato, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2006 · N312RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Rising terrain, fog and dark night conditions were factors.
- [NTSB LAX06FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA256.md): Cessna 182P · Whitethorn, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2006 · N9904E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness with regard to the airplane's proximity to mountainous terrain, and her failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude or flight path, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX06FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA222.md): Raytheon A36 · Somis, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2006 · N615M · Destroyed
  > a ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX06LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA205.md): Cessna 177B · Redwood City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2006 · N35058 · Substantial damage
  > A collision with water for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ANC06CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA039.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · Dixon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2006 · N5397 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain altitude/clearance during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather, and unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB ANC06LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA029.md): Cooper Harmon Rocket ll · McKittrick, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2006 · N96CR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while performing intentional low altitude aerobatic flight maneuvers. Factors associated with the accident are the low altitude aerobatic flight maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX06FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA124.md): Aero Vodochody L39 · California City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2006 · N39DF · Destroyed
  > The flight crew's failure to maintain terrain clearance during an intentionally performed course reversal turn at low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX06FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA091.md): Cessna 182P · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2006 · N6034J · 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.
- [NTSB LAX06FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA066.md): Beech 36 · Livermore, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2005 · N5942S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the appropriate glidepath alignment during an instrument landing system approach, resulting in collision with terrain. A contributing factor to the accident was the failure of the air traffic controllers to issue a minimum safe…
- [NTSB LAX06FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA031.md): Beech F33A · Geyserville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2005 · N9204Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude profile during the descent that resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB LAX05LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA321.md): Cessna 150 · Taft, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 2005 · N1238Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. The mountainous terrain was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX05CA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA257.md): Cessna A150M · Trinity Center, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2005 · N8166V · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to select an adequate altitude, which would assure clearance from the mountainous terrain while flying into a box canyon in high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB LAX05LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA224.md): Schleicher ASW-20 · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2005 · N31AP · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude and his decision to turn toward higher terrain.
- [NTSB LAX05FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA175.md): Cessna 182M · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 15, 2005 · N333LP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, and his failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering in rising terrain, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB SEA05MA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05MA085.md): Lockheed P-3B · Chico, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2005 · N926AU · Destroyed
  > Terrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. Mountainous terrain was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX05FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA106.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Yucaipa, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2005 · N2954P · Destroyed
  > The failure of the private pilot and the flight instructor to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in unfamiliar mountainous terrain in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX05FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA056.md): Eurocopter France AS350BA · Panamint Spring, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2004 · N410JC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudged lateral distance from a mountainside and failure to maintain an adequate clearance from terrain and obstacles while performing a low altitude filming maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX05FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA032.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2004 · N803ZG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to select and maintain an adequate terrain avoidance cruise altitude. Contributing factors were the dark nighttime conditions, the rising mountainous terrain, and the Federal Aviation Administration controller's failure to issue a…
- [NTSB LAX05TA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05TA008.md): Hughes OH-6A · Jacumba, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 15, 2004 · N6639R · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the mountainous terrain, which resulted in the helicopter's tail rotor blades impacting rocks. A factor in the accident was the pilot's complacency.
- [NTSB LAX05LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA007.md): DeRosier DR-107 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 2004 · N31SH · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while performing low-level aerobatic maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX04CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA282.md): Cessna 172P · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2004 · N65615 · Substantial damage
  > the instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and delayed decision to perform a go-around. Contributing factors were wind gusts, windshear, and an excessive descent rate.
- [NTSB LAX04LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA281.md): Bell 206B · Little Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2004 · N549W · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from objects and terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Factors in the accident were the high, rising terrain, and the high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX04LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA260.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2004 · N6106H · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to attain an adequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain during a high density altitude condition.
- [NTSB LAX04CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA238.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Anza, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 13, 2004 · N9009J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged altitude and speed, which resulted in an undershoot and a collision with a berm. Also causal was the control interference from the passenger.
- [NTSB LAX04FA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA205.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Julian, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2004 · N304PA · Destroyed
  > The incorrect use of an abbreviated callsign by the TRACON sector radar controller to issue a descent clearance to N434PA and the sector controllers failure to detect that the clearance had been read back with the full callsign by the pilot of N304PA. Also…
- [NTSB LAX04LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA156.md): American AA-1 · Selma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 2004 · N6175L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which failed to assure adequate takeoff performance, and his failure to abort the takeoff. The aircraft inadequate weight and balance was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB LAX04FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA102.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2004 · N8701E · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA077.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Avalon, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N3747U · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to properly execute the published missed approach procedure.
- [NTSB LAX04LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA034.md): Canadair T33 · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2003 · N99192 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during low altitude maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX03CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA287.md): Aviat Pitts S-2C · Mountain View, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2003 · N57BC · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance with the runway during a low altitude aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB LAX03CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA264.md): Hughes 269C · Columbia, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 25, 2003 · N58363 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's improper execution of the autorotation. Also causal, was the CFI's delayed remedial action and supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB LAX03FA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA224.md): Cessna 182Q · Saugus, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2003 · N129JB · Destroyed
  > in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX03FA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA206.md): Schleicher ASW-27B · Valyermo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2003 · N271EC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance altitude and his delayed remedial action by not turning away from the ridge when a lack of lift became apparent..
- [NTSB LAX03LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA173.md): Aero Vodochody L-39 · Tracy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 2003 · N139RH · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while performing low level aerobatics.
- [NTSB LAX03FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA166.md): Rockwell 114 · Bishop, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 26, 2003 · N4730W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering close to the ground over mountainous terrain in a high density altitude environment near the upper performance capability of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush into…
- [NTSB LAX03FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA134.md): Hughes 269B · Auburn, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2003 · N16133 · Destroyed
  > the misjudged flare maneuver by an unknown crewmember during a likely practice autorotation that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX03FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA131.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Big Bear Lake, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2003 · N8719N · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate decision regarding a departure route and his failure to maintain clearance with rapidly rising mountainous terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's impairment by the effects of exposure to marijuana within the 10-hour period…
- [NTSB LAX03FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA090.md): Cessna 172P · Santa Susana, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2003 · N65005 · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's inadequate in-flight decision to cross mountainous terrain at a inadequate altitude to guarantee terrain clearance.
- [NTSB LAX03LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA079.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2003 · N6087W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance above the surrounding terrain, and his evasive maneuver to avoid a perceived object. A factor in the accident was the dark night.
- [NTSB LAX03FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA061.md): Mooney M20C · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2003 · N5629Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's loss of control during flight as a result of incapacitation due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=CA&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" = 'CA' 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=CA

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