# NTSB investigations, UT: 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 2 · 70 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB SEA07LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA251.md): Cessna 172M · Thompson, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2007 · N8945V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering in a box canyon.
- [NTSB LAX07CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA213.md): Diamond DA40-G1000 · Strawberry Rese, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2007 · N747PZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to turn into upsloping terrain at a low altitude.
- [NTSB SEA07CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA128.md): Forney F-1 · Morgan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 18, 2007 · N3007G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the hill on final approach to a landing. Contributing factors were the downdraft weather condition, the hilly terrain, and his lack of familiarity with the geographical area.
- [NTSB SEA07CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA064.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Glen Canyon Nat, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2007 · N224MT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional flight over water at low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water. A contributing factor was the glassy surface condition of the lake.
- [NTSB SEA06CA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA129.md): Mooney M-20F · Summit, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2006 · N2987L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a climb. Encounter with a severe downdraft, and mountainous terrain were factors.
- [NTSB SEA06FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA116.md): Lciv Lancair IV-P Propjet · Provo, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2006 · N95CE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during a VFR approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the low clouds.
- [NTSB DEN05LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA056.md): Hughes 369HS · Provo, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 2005 · N9118F · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, his failure to maintain terrain clearance, and the total failure of the tail rotor drive shaft as a result of the tail rotor strike.
- [NTSB SEA05FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA037.md): Aero Commander AC200D (Meyers) · Hatch, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2005 · N49J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Inadequate airspeed, the pilot's diverted attention, and low altitude flight were factors.
- [NTSB DEN05LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA036.md): Robinson R22 · Provo, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2004 · N333UH · Substantial damage
  > the flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inability to detect a descent because of the obscuration between the water and the horizon due to the gray sky
- [NTSB DEN04FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04FA003.md): Mooney M20J · Grantsville, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2003 · N201KM · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual outlook during low level flight maneuvers that resulted in a collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's attention being diverted.
- [NTSB DEN03LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA027.md): Aircraft Mfg & Dev. CH2000 · Milford, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2003 · N8500R · Destroyed
  > the inadequate altitude chosen by the flight instructor, resulting in inadequate clearance and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the instructor's failure to consult pertinent VFR sectional charts for the area, and the…
- [NTSB DEN03LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA001.md): Let Blanik L-13 · Morgan, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2002 · N99805 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate inflight planning and decision which resulted in an unsuitable off-field landing site. A contributing factor was downdraft weather conditions.
- [NTSB DEN02FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02FA089.md): Mooney M20A · Marysvale, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2002 · N1088B · Destroyed
  > the pilot's poor in-flight decision to fly so close to the ridge (looking for animals). Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain condition, the downdraft weather conditions in high mountains, and the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB DEN02LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA073.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Tooele, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2002 · N4690R · Substantial damage
  > the pilot-in-command failure to obtain/maintain proper rate of climb, resulting in a collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and exceeding the airplane's forward center of gravity limit.
- [NTSB DEN02TA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02TA069.md): WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Fillmore, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jul 8, 2002 · N5198Y · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to follow proper procedures/directives, and the airplane's inability to climb while maneuvering after takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were improperly mixed aerial application materials (fire retardant slurry), the high…
- [NTSB FTW02FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA130.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2002 · N132CP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain and continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the fog and rain weather conditions.
- [NTSB DEN02LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA023.md): Beech V35B · American Fork, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2002 · N1176T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor judgment in that he intentionally initiated VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were low ceiling and obscuration, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument time.
- [NTSB DEN01LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA163.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · Parowan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2001 · N9925 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention, the rising terrain, and the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB DEN01FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01FA064.md): Beech V35 · Wendover, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2001 · N5757K · Destroyed
  > The pilot flying at an altitude insufficient to clear surrounding terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, his subsequent spatial disorientation, and dark night conditions.
- [NTSB DEN00FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00FA136.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Moab, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2000 · N7161L · Destroyed
  > The pilot in command exercising poor judgment and exceeding the aircraft's turning capability. Contributing factors were the pilots' attention being diverted, flying into a known blind canyon, high temperature, and high density altitude.
- [NTSB DEN00LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA121.md): Cessna 172P · Price, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2000 · N51208 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were strong and gusty winds.
- [NTSB DEN99LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA087.md): Cessna 170B · Ogden, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 1999 · N2716C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of altitude during an intentional (practice) low altitude flight maneuver (landing approach).
- [NTSB DEN99LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA018.md): Piper PA28-181 · Tooele, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1998 · N3034B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributng factors were fog, low ceilings, high terrain, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic environment and his misinterpretation of terrain features on…
- [NTSB FTW98LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA150.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Ogden, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 1998 · N83DA · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot not understanding the crew briefing, his premature retraction of the landing gear, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. A factor relating to the accident was: the exchange of unclear information due to the…
- [NTSB SEA97LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA179.md): Cessna 180B · Spanish Fork, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1997 · N929AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
- [NTSB SEA97LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA140.md): Republic RC-3-1 · Monument Valley, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 1997 · N6290K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planing/preparation, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: high, gusty, variable winds, and terrain induced downdrafts.
- [NTSB SEA97LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA123.md): Piper PA-38 · Fruitland, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 1997 · N2362K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors include his improper inflight decision to attempt to fly through a mountain pass under high density altitude conditions in an aircraft that was operating near the limits of its…
- [NTSB SEA96LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA115.md): Cessna 172M · Tooele, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1996 · N9594V · Substantial damage
  > failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure that adequate airspeed was maintained during initial climb after lift-off, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. High density altitude was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA96FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA022.md): Cessna 152 · Provo, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1995 · N6392Q · Destroyed
  > pilot suicide (intentional in-flight collision with rising terrain). A factor relating to the accident was: pilot anxiety/apprehension.
- [NTSB SEA95LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA163.md): Cessna 152 · Wellsville, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 1995 · N588BR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of experience with flying in mountainous terrain and the high density altitude.
- [NTSB SEA95FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA120.md): Cessna 175A · Moab, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 1995 · N6970E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude in the visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to follow dispatch procedures, the dark night conditions, and the unavailability of the airport's…
- [NTSB SEA95LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA070.md): Quicksilver MXL2 · Hildale, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 1995 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while banking the airplane. This led to an unrecoverable aerodynamic stall in close proximity to the ground. Factors contributing to the accident are the pilot exceeding the airplane's weight and balance…
- [NTSB SEA95FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA048.md): Piper PA-601P · Tremonton, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 10, 1995 · N57NW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with the mountainous terrain. Factors were the clouds, and the dark night.
- [NTSB SEA95LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA035.md): Cessna 152 · Lehi, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1994 · N24741 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance above the terrain. Factors include the pilot inadvertently becoming lost/disoriented, his improper inflight decision to attempt to maneuver through unfamiliar mountainous terrain to his original destination,…
- [NTSB SEA94GA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94GA203.md): Hughes OH-6A · Duchesne, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jul 31, 1994 · N12UT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from the surrounding terrain. Factors related to the accident were: thunderstorms in the area (requiring the pilot to deviate from the desired course), high…
- [NTSB SEA94FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA190.md): Bell 206B III · Syracuse, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1994 · N820CW · Destroyed
  > Undetermined
- [NTSB SEA94FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA167.md): Beech P35 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1994 · N1498G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate and clearance from the terrain. Factors in the accident were the high density altitude and the aircraft being above the maximum certificated gross weight.
- [NTSB SEA94FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA004.md): Cessna 182P · Heber City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 1993 · N50TH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper inflight decisions and failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors include the box canyon.
- [NTSB SEA93LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA196.md): Aerospatiale SA-365-N2 · Ogden, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 1993 · N818R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor to the accident was glassy water.
- [NTSB SEA93FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA071.md): Cessna 402B · Oakley, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 1993 · N3103P · Destroyed
  > Poor inflight planning/decision. Factors to the accident were: dark night condition and terrain clearance was not maintained.
- [NTSB SEA93FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA025.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1992 · N5108S · Destroyed
  > Clearance from mountainous terrain was not maintained. Factors to the accident were: dark night condition, snow showers, and intentional flight into known adverse weather.
- [NTSB SEA92LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA173.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Farmington, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 1992 · N7091C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor inflight decision. Factors include downdrafts and a box canyon.
- [NTSB SEA92FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA042.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Ogden, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 1992 · N4370B · Destroyed
  > The improper decision by the instructor pilot to perform maintenance in flight and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors relating to the accident were the dark night light conditions, mountainous terrain in the area, and the instructor diverting…
- [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 SEA91FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA026.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1990 · N4678J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional buzzing of uninhabited island in the great Salt lake and his misjudging the timing of a pull-up maneuver to clear rising terrain of a ridgeline.
- [NTSB SEA91LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA016.md): Cessna 172A · Brigham City, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1990 · N5030A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain a proper climb rate.
- [NTSB DEN90FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA021.md): Cessna 310I · Provo, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1989 · N145Y · Destroyed
  > The Cessna pilot misjudge his altitude above the water. Contributing factors were: the pilot allowing his attention to be diverted and his lack of visual/depth perception over the calm (glassy) water.
- [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 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 DEN89FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA034.md): Cessna 421 · Tooele, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1988 · N222BL · Substantial damage

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

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