# NTSB investigations, VA: 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 · 52 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB NYC07LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA219.md): North American SNJ-2 · Virginia Beach, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2007 · N52033 · Destroyed > The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to physiological incapacitation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to deny or restrict the pilot's medical certification, and the pilot's improper… - [NTSB NYC07LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA008.md): Flynn William Pazmany PL-4 · Fredricksburg, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 2006 · N640F · Substantial damage > The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with terrain. - [NTSB NYC05FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA021.md): Cessna 310R · Paeonian Spring, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2004 · N310DM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor related to the accident was the low cloud ceiling. - [NTSB IAD05MA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05MA006.md): Beech 200 · Stuart, VA · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Oct 24, 2004 · N501RH · Destroyed > The flight crew's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach procedure, including the published missed approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the flight crew's… - [NTSB NYC04CA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA200.md): Cessna 177 · Warrenton, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2004 · N2975X · Substantial damage > The pilot's incorrect aborted landing procedure, which resulted in a collision with terrain. - [NTSB NYC03LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA175.md): Stinson 108 · White Post, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2003 · N97168 · Substantial damage > The pilot/ mechanic's improper annual inspection including his rigging of the elevator flight control, and his subsequent inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane prior to flight, when he failed to detect the improperly rigged elevator flight control,… - [NTSB NYC03LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA029.md): Robinson R-22 · Suffolk, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2002 · N9444Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while landing, which resulted in a collision with an embankment. - [NTSB IAD03FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA019.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Bastian, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2002 · N31554 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling. - [NTSB IAD01LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA108.md): Von Claparede Clemen Preceptor-Ultra · Dublin, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2001 · N66VC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance, which resulted in the airplane's collision with terrain. A factor was the downdraft. - [NTSB DCA01MA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA01MA064.md): Boeing 757-200 · Arlington, VA · Accident · 64 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2001 · N644AA · Destroyed > The Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided… - [NTSB IAD01FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01FA053.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Afton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2001 · N7680J · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of consciousness due to a medical condition, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane and subsequent impact with rising terrain. - [NTSB NYC01LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA091.md): Cessna 150 · Wintergreen, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 2001 · N5433Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather. - [NTSB IAD01FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01FA039.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Paris, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 2001 · N5841P · Substantial damage > pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB IAD01FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01FA038.md): Piper PA-28-RT201 · Manassas, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2001 · N2380U · Destroyed > The pilot's spatial disorientation due to a night visual illusion. A factor was the dark night condition. - [NTSB NYC00FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA112.md): Cessna 172H · Grottoes, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2000 · N1404F · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included the pilot's lack of instrument time under actual conditions, and his lack of recent instrument flight experience. - [NTSB IAD00LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA021.md): Wood Seawind 3000 · Cumberland Gap, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2000 · N94WB · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued flight from visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB IAD98LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA046.md): Let L-23 · New Castle, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1998 · N55BR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn to reverse direction. A factor was his improper use of the speed brake. - [NTSB IAD98GA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98GA039.md): Bell 412 · Quantico, VA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 12, 1998 · N82628 · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the terrain and the lack of management oversight of aircrews and equipment. - [NTSB NYC98FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA020.md): Cessna 172E · Elkton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1997 · N3097U · Destroyed > The pilot's intention VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were clouds and mountainous/hilly terrain.. - [NTSB IAD97FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA039.md): Aerostar 601P · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 1997 · N3CD · Destroyed > failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the ground after takeoff. A related factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart before the arrival of bad weather. - [NTSB IAD97FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA023.md): Beech 65-A90 · Orange, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1996 · N814SW · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to complete the pretakeoff checklist which resulted in a takeoff roll with the control lock in place. - [NTSB NYC96FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96FA163.md): Beech A36 · Roanoke, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1996 · N1795W · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedures, and his delayed missed approach, which resulted in an inflight collision with mountainous terrain. - [NTSB NYC95FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA103.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Toano, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 1995 · N8311A · Substantial damage > The pilot misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the landing area and collision with water. Contributing factors are inadequate helipad lighting and a dark night light condition. - [NTSB DCA94MA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA94MA061.md): Learjet 25D · Chantilly, VA · Accident · 12 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jun 18, 1994 · XABBA · Destroyed > The poor decisionmaking, poor airmanship, and relative inexperience of the captain in initiating and continuing an unstabilized instrument approach that led to a descent below the authorized altitude without visual contact with the runway environment.… - [NTSB BFO94FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94FA071.md): Bell 412/SP · Bluefield, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 1994 · N70AM · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to intercept the final approach course, and his improper execution of the instrument approach procedure. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the weather conditions, and the failure of the air traffic controller to adequately… - [NTSB NYC94LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA008.md): Featherston Titan Tornado · Mechanicsville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1993 · N7020J · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot to correct the descent. Factors related to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, impairment of the pilot from use of a medication (prescription drug), and possible lack of visual ques (pilot's visual perception). - [NTSB BFO93FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA178.md): Maule M-4-210C · Staunton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 1993 · N2026U · Destroyed > Inadequate preflight by the pilot which resulted in inadequate altitude to clear the embankment during the initial climb. Factors in this accident were a tailwind on takeoff and rising terrain at the departure end of the grass airstrip. - [NTSB BFO92LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA003.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Waynesboro, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1991 · N34396 · Substantial damage > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the instructor (CFI). Contributing to the accident was the instructor's failure to properly monitor the student's performance. - [NTSB BFO91FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA068.md): Beech V35A · Jonesville, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1991 · N118CB · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to assure that the instrument departure procedure was followed and that the aircraft remained clear of mountainous terrain. - [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 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 BFO90FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA032.md): Cessna 172N · Bedford, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 1990 · N76026 · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to fly into known adverse weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance above the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self induced pressure, low ceilings, mountainous terrain and rain. - [NTSB BFO90FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA024.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Norton, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1990 · N40793 · Destroyed > Pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance over mountainous terrain when continuing to fly into deteriorating weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument experience, low ceilings, fog, and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB BFO89FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA081.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Stuarts Draft, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1989 · N44510 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the terrain after flying VFR into IMC. Contributing to the accident were the low ceiling and fog conditions and the mountainous terrain. - [NTSB BFO88FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA002.md): Cessna 172N · Lowmoor, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1987 · N3075E · Destroyed > The acft was involved in powerline patrol over mountainous terrain at low altitude. The plt made a climbing right turn to avoid a ridge and went into a valley where he was boxed in by two ridges. He unsuccessfully tried to outclimb one of the ridges before he… - [NTSB BFO86FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA050.md): Mooney M20F · Leesburg, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1986 · N6443Q · Destroyed > Drg arrival, the plt was clrd for a VOR rwy 35 apch. Also, he was advised that there were problems with the rwy lights &that other plts had made missed apchs that evening due to dim arpt lighting. He was then clrd to UNICOM freq & told to cancel his IFR clnc… - [NTSB BFO86FID04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FID04.md): Cessna 210N · Blacksburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 10, 1986 · N6502C · Substantial damage > While landing at Blacksburg airport in Blacksburg, Virginia, the landing gear failed to extend. The aircraft collided with a runway light and served off the runway onto a grass area causing substantial damage to the left stabilizer and elevator. The pilot… - [NTSB BFO86FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA015.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Lynchburg, VA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 1986 · N9477C · Destroyed > The aircraft had departed elberton, Georgia at about 2043 hours on an IFR flight plan to Lynchburg, Virginia. After failing to descend out of 4000 feet during the first approach, N9477C was vectored around for a second ILS approach to runway 3. Since the… - [NTSB ATL86LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA061.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Rural Retreat, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 1986 · N14259 · Substantial damage > Pilot said first adf approach terminated by missed approach due to oscillating directional needle. On second approach acft broke out of clouds with trees in front of acft. It impacted a cloud obscured ridge 3.5 miles southeast of airport on a southerly… - [NTSB DCA85AA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA85AA037.md): Beech B99 · Grottoes, VA · Accident · 14 fatal · Final report · Sep 23, 1985 · N339HA · Destroyed > Acft arr fm the NE, crossed ovr the arpt in IMC conds & contd twd the sw to the initial apch fix (iaf) for an ILS rwy 4 apch. The iaf was ovr the outer marker (om), 4.2 mi sw of the arpt. As the acft deptd the iaf, it contd outbnd twd the sw on an imprecise… - [NTSB BFO85LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA028.md): Cessna 172L · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1985 · N7586G · Substantial damage > The plt enplaned 3 adult paxs and taxied to rwy 17 for tkof. Rptd wnd was 310 at 8KTS. Tkof roll was iniated and continued until near midfld at which time it became apparent to the plt that the acft would not rotate. The plt then abtd the tkof but as the acft… - [NTSB BFO85FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA006.md): Piper J3C-65 · Waterford, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1984 · N70645 · Destroyed > The aircraft was observed flying around the airstrip at dusk. As it passed over the aprx center of the field it was seen to nose over into a steep angle continuing until impact. Investigation revealed no evidence of any mal funtion of the aircraft or the… - [NTSB BFO85FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA001.md): Beech 58 · Hot Springs, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1984 · N777AB · Destroyed > The destn arpt was unattended at night & when the plt received his last wx briefing at 0519 CDT, no current wx info was available. During arrival, the acft was vectored for an ILS rwy 24 apch & the plt was advised that current wx info was still not available.… - [NTSB BFO84FU003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO84FU003.md): Ultralight Flight Phantom · South Boston, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 14, 1984 · UNREG · Destroyed > The plt arrived at the arpt about 1530 for a demo flt & possible purchase of a phantom Ultralight. The FBO had the plt fly a C-152 from the right seat to familiarize the plt to fly with the control stick on the right & the throttle on the left since this is… - [NTSB ATL84FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA099.md): Piper PA-30-160 · Massies Mill, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1984 · N8742Y · Destroyed > While en route, the plt was progressing northbound when he contacted the Washington fss at 2134 EST for updated wx info. At that time, he described his position as north of lynchburg, VA. The fss briefer noted that his voice was normal, his manner was calm &… - [NTSB ATL83LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA379.md): Bell 47G-4A · Wise, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1983 · N1400W · Substantial damage > The plt held a commercial certificate, but was a student in helicopter flying. He had over 15,000 hrs total time in airplanes, but only aprx 13 hrs of experience in helicopters. On his 1st solo flt in a helicopter, he was making approaches to a grassy area… - [NTSB ATL83LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA288.md): Cessna 310Q · Fredricksburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1983 · N69979 · Destroyed > The acft crashed and burned during a go-around after touching down on the rwy at about the 1500 ft point on a 3000 ft rwy. The right propeller was feathered. The pilot was attempting a single engine practice landing and believed he could not stop on the rwy… - [NTSB ATL83FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FAMS1.md): Piper PA-24 · Fleeton, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Jun 29, 1983 · N7284P · Destroyed > On July 2, a main landing gear, identified by the FAA as part of N7284P, was found floating in the chesapeake bay. The body of the deseased passenger was located on July 9, 1983 in the bay. Investigation revealed no record of communicationbetween the acft and… - [NTSB ATL83LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA241.md): Cessna 152II · Kilmarnock, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 1983 · N6624L · Destroyed > The pilot decided to make a practice landing enroute. The arpt had a wet grass rwy and when the acft skidded during landing the pilot initiated a go-around. He had forgotten the proper positioning of the flaps during the landing approach until reminded by the… - [NTSB ATL83LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA191.md): Enstrom F-28C · Wise, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 20, 1983 · N654H · Substantial damage > The plt reported that he had stayed in the local area & had been practicing slow hover over the grass beside the rwy. There was a paved ramp that he had to cross, each time he went from one end of the rwy to the other. He said when he came to this area, he… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=VA&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" = 'VA' 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=VA --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.