# NTSB investigations, WA: 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 · 134 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB SEA07FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA134.md): Cessna 185 · Wilbur, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 28, 2007 · N9434N · Substantial damage
  > In-flight collision with terrain shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA06CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA177.md): Cessna 182RG · Shelton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2006 · N5482T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to a practice soft-field landing, and the certified flight instructor's failure to take remedial action. Factors include the pilot's failure to use a checklist.
- [NTSB SEA06CA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA145.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164B · Lamont, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2006 · N8376K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering.
- [NTSB SEA06TA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06TA071.md): Bell 206B · Sprague, WA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Apr 7, 2006 · N96NW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA06FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA055.md): Cessna 182P · Goldendale, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2006 · N888SR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during descent. Factors contributing to the accident were the high mountains, mountain obscuration, the dark night condition, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision making.
- [NTSB SEA06CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA010.md): Michael Moneyhan Magnum · Cougar, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 22, 2005 · N686JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to land on the uneven terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Factors contributing to the accident included the uneven terrain and the sunglare condition.
- [NTSB SEA05LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA114.md): Avia Stroitel AC-4B · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2005 · N1198Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA05CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA069.md): Cessna A188B · Palouse, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2005 · N4784Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during the initial climb after takeoff. A tailwind, hilly terrain and inadequate airspeed were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA183.md): Piper PA-18 · Blaine, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2004 · N2415P · Substantial damage
  > The instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action during his student's final approach for a simulated engine out water landing.
- [NTSB SEA04FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA106.md): North American SNJ 5 · Oroville, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2004 · C-GKGE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain. Rising terrain was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA04LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA097.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Easton, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2004 · N6245J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Mountain terrain was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA04LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA057.md): Cessna A188B · Palouse, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2004 · N731YZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff downwind resulting in his inability to achieve a positive climb rate and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident included the rising terrain and the tailwind condition.
- [NTSB SEA03LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA151.md): Hughes 269C · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2003 · N53KF · Substantial damage
  > The dual students failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the go-around from a simulated autorotational flare, and the instructor pilot's failure to take adequate remedial action to keep the dual student from allowing the aircraft to impact the…
- [NTSB SEA03LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA034.md): Beech E18S · Burlington, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2003 · N48K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately remove ice/frost from the aircraft and to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff. An inadequate preflight was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA028.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Eastsound, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 2003 · N7282C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his failure to reset the altimeter to the local barometric pressure. Contributing factors were fog and night conditions.
- [NTSB SEA02LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA174.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · Index, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2002 · N16005 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering.
- [NTSB SEA02TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02TA110.md): Bell 206B · Rainier, WA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 25, 2002 · N1087L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while trying to land. Rough/uneven terrain, inaccurate performance data calculations, inadequate in-flight planning and lack of familiarity with the geographic area were factors.
- [NTSB SEA02LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA098.md): Unknown Quicksilver MX II · Cook, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2002 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain aircraft control. High winds were a factor.
- [NTSB SEA02LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA065.md): WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Rockford, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2002 · N81705 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/decision to continue the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the wind gusts.
- [NTSB SEA02LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA026.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Renton, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 2002 · N7185A · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate altitude/clearance above the ground was maintained during hovering flight, resulting in an inadvertent ground contact and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. A factor was the flight…
- [NTSB SEA01LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA150.md): I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2001 · N29JB · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a low altitude turn. The second pilot overshooting the runway was a contributing factor to the accident.
- [NTSB SEA01LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA102.md): Piper PA-18-105 Special · Wilbur, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 22, 2001 · N7155K · Substantial damage
  > A collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA01LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA076.md): Cessna 172 N · Sultan, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2001 · N8402E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the airplane's initial climb.
- [NTSB SEA01FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01FA064.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Greenwater, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2001 · N8769N · Destroyed
  > Failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA01LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA061.md): Eurocopter AS-350 B2 Ecureuil · Mazama, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 2001 · N189EH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Snow covered terrain, high and variable wind conditions, and failure of attaining the proper touchdown point were factors.
- [NTSB SEA01FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01FA060.md): Cessna U206G · Mica, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 2001 · CGISV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were fog, low ceilings, drizzle/mist, rising terrain, and the non-availability of a functioning transponder.
- [NTSB SEA01LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA054.md): Robinson R22 · Seattle, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 2001 · N8362Q · Substantial damage
  > Both pilots' exceedance of the proper descent rate during the autorotative descent. Factors included the helicopter's low altitude at maneuver initiation, the failure of both pilots to maintain the proper airspeed during the descent, and both pilots' delay in…
- [NTSB SEA01LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA051.md): Landry Gyrobee · Chehalis, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2001 · N392JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's reverse application of cyclic to counteract a right drift during the takeoff roll in a gyroplane whose controls had been designed reverse of standard. Contributing factors were the gusty wind conditions and the pilot's "expectancy" or…
- [NTSB SEA00FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00FA132.md): Cessna 180F · Gold Bar, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2000 · N37GC · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's attempted VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain and cloud, low ceiling and obscuration conditions.
- [NTSB SEA00LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA054.md): Cessna 172N · Quincy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2000 · N229CP · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB SEA99FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA144.md): Beech F33A · White Swan, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1999 · N2291L · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate preflight planning/preparation and low airspeed. A dirt embankment, soft runway, and an excessive takeoff weight were factors.
- [NTSB SEA99FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA105.md): Gadbury RV-6A · Arlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 1999 · N5987D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's excessive climb rate, which lead to his failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed (Vs). Factors include the pilot's lack of total experience in the aircraft make and model.
- [NTSB SEA98TA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98TA156.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33 · Ephrata, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Aug 2, 1998 · N5720S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing. Contributing factors were panic and inadequate initial training.
- [NTSB SEA98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA119.md): Cessna 170A · Renton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1998 · N1296D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were factors.
- [NTSB SEA98LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA093.md): Cessna 150 · Amboy, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1998 · N7759E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from terrain during a go-around attempt. Factors included a short landing area and trees in the landing area.
- [NTSB SEA98FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA090.md): Maule M-5-220C · Kettle Falls, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 1998 · N16CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. A factor was an attempt to perform aerobatics at low altitude.
- [NTSB SEA98FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA056.md): Cessna P210N · Royal City, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 1998 · CGBFM · Destroyed
  > Attempted VFR flight into IMC and terrain clearance was not maintained. A low ceiling was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA98LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA018.md): Aero Commander 112 · Kettle Falls, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1997 · N1054J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Factors include the physiological impairment of the pilot's judgement due to alcohol.
- [NTSB LAX97GA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA325.md): Bell 205A-1 · Sequim, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Sep 12, 1997 · N90HJ · Destroyed
  > the pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA97LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA191.md): Bell 47G · Wellpinit, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 1997 · N9571 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing.
- [NTSB SEA97LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA189.md): Rotz RAF 2000 GTX SE · Olympia, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1997 · N9155H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain adequate rotor rpm prior to takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA97LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA150.md): Corben Junior ACE · East Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 1997 · N9017 · Substantial damage
  > The dual student's improper attempt to abort the takeoff and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB SEA97LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA099.md): Grumman G-164A · Rosalia, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 1997 · N7926 · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were, hilly terrain conditions and impairment due to recent use of marihuana.
- [NTSB SEA97LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA088.md): Rockwell S-2R · Prescott, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1997 · N4978X · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance from uneven/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB SEA97LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA010.md): Piper PA-36-300 · Prosser, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 1996 · N2331Y · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the terrain, while en route to an apple orchard that he intended to spray. A factor relating to the accident was: the turbulent wind condition over the hills.
- [NTSB SEA96LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA159.md): Cessna A188B · Pullman, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 1996 · N9336R · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance during a swath run. Factors relating to the accident were: unfavorable (variable) wind conditions, low airspeed, and uneven terrain.
- [NTSB SEA96FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA133.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Pomeroy, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1996 · N57514 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the surrounding terrain while maneuvering to land. A factor was the rising terrain conditions.
- [NTSB SEA96LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA112.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · Prescott, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 1996 · N9793 · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to visually clear his flight path, after allowing his attention to be diverted, and his resultant failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from a hill. The hilly terrain was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA96FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA034.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Kapowsin, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1995 · N4008Z · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and terrain clearance. Turbulence was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA96FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA029.md): Cessna 340A · Mead, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1995 · N5GM · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance in mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were: dark night conditions, mountainous terrain, and instrument meteorological conditions.

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

---
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.