# NTSB investigations, 1990: 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 · 141 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB NYC91DGT01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DGT01.md): Kolb Twin Star · Carlisle, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 26, 1990 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above the ground.
- [NTSB ANC91FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA018.md): Cessna 208 · False Pass, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1990 · N9444F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions. The terrain and weather were factors.
- [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 ANC91FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA017.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Evanston, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1990 · N4082H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's premature descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue and poor weather.
- [NTSB LAX91LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA057.md): Cessna 172L · Mcdermitt, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1990 · N4319Q · Substantial damage
  > Intentional buzzing conducted by the pilot. His poor judgement was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB NYC91LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA047.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Easton, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1990 · N9898K · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor allowed the airplane to get too low on final approach during the demonstration of a power off landing.
- [NTSB LAX91FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA059.md): Cessna 182C · Globe, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1990 · N8922T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to conduct a weather evaluation prior to flight and his attempt to conduct his flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions. Low ceilings along his flight route and self induced pressure to reach his…
- [NTSB SEA91FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA027.md): Aero Commander 690A · Ryderwood, WA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1990 · N400N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning and failure to maintain proper altitude in mountainous terrain at night.
- [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 NYC91FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA035.md): Cessna 414A · Atlantic City, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1990 · N2693F · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to follow the published ILS procedure and his continued descent below the decision height. Darkness and the adverse weather conditions were related factors.
- [NTSB FTW91FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA017.md): Beech B55 · England, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1990 · N811J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgement of altitude, which resulted in his failure to arrest descent from a dive. The pilot's impaired judgment from consumption of ethanol (alcohol) was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA91FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA021.md): Beech 95-55 · Hayden Lake, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1990 · N903T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper IFR procedure in failing to intercept the proper glideslope path.
- [NTSB LAX91FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA036.md): Beech 95-A55 · Woodland, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1990 · N1594S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgement of his altitude to assure terrain clearance during a night visual approach. Contributing factors were the dark night, unlit terrain, the pilot's lack of recent night time, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airport, and an…
- [NTSB LAX91FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA040.md): Beech S-35 · Kingman, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1990 · N5748K · Destroyed
  > Proper altitude not maintained. Contributing to the accident was: the lack of supplemental oxygen on board the aircraft, pilot fatigue, improper use of the auto pilot, and pilot complacency.
- [NTSB DEN91FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA020.md): Cessna T210L · Clovis, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1990 · N22054 · Destroyed
  > An inadvertent descent into the ground while conducting a non-precision instrument approach, as a result of the pilot failing to stop his descent at mda. A factor is low visibility due to fog.
- [NTSB LAX91LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA032.md): Cessna 172RG · San Clemente, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1990 · N5257V · Destroyed
  > The pilots selection of improper cruise altitude while operating under a low overcast on a dark night. A factor in the accident was fatigue and lack of sleep.
- [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 ATL91FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA015.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Rock Hill, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1990 · N7840P · Destroyed
  > The pilot misjudged the aircraft's altitude/clearance above the runway during a low pass and allowed the propeller to contact the runway; he then failed to maintain airspeed after a pull-up and allowed the aircraft to stall.
- [NTSB LAX91LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA030.md): Cessna 182G · Portal, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1990 · N3431S · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude.
- [NTSB CHI91DEE01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE01.md): Pitts Special S1-S · Dekalb, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 3, 1990 · N983BW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to perform aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX91FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA022.md): Piper PA-22-108 · Oceanside, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1990 · N5052Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot initiating an instrument flight without operating air/ground communications equipment, and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance after apparently deciding to return to the airport. Factors contributing to the accident were inoperative…
- [NTSB FTW91FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA010.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Kingsland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1990 · N41586 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to avoid flying into the mountain.
- [NTSB DEN91FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA013.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Belen, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1990 · N5058J · Destroyed
  > The pilot misjudged the aircraft's altitude (ground clearance) above the desert terrain.
- [NTSB CHI91LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA015.md): Cessna 152 · Hannibal, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1990 · N24359 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors were: excessive airspeed and the pilot's lack of total experience.
- [NTSB NYC91LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA014.md): Stinson SR8C · Lakeville, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1990 · N17116 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged his altitude above the lake water and allowed the airplane to descend while making a left turn. Factor's related to the accident were: calm winds causing the lake water to be glassy.
- [NTSB ANC91LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA006.md): Mooney M20C · Madison Creek, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 1990 · N6601U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's premature lift off at an inadequate airspeed. Contributing to the accident was the unplowed snow on the runway.
- [NTSB NYC91LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA011.md): Robinson R22 · Woonsocket, RI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1990 · N666U · Substantial damage
  > Pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the terrain to avoid getting the right skid caught in the grass, resulting in a loss of control.
- [NTSB LAX91LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA009.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Agua Dulce, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1990 · N5809U · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the pilot to perform preflight planning.
- [NTSB LAX91LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA003.md): Cessna 210 · Riverside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 1990 · N9466T · Destroyed
  > Impairment of the pilot from use of drugs (cocaine), and his failure to maintain clearance (or altitude) from the mountain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the pilot's psychological condtion (depression).
- [NTSB NYC91FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA001.md): Cessna 172P · Gorham, NH · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1990 · N98438 · Destroyed
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain proper altitude while flying over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, mountainous terrain, and pilot fatigue.
- [NTSB ANC90LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA188.md): Cessna 180 · Swift River, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1990 · N9339T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to understand the performance data of the airplane, and his failure to identify unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB ATL90FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA183.md): Grumman AA5B · Gallatin, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1990 · N81099 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude which resulted in the inadvertent descent into the ground, and his diverted attention to another airplane. Factors in the accident were fog, dark night, fatigue from lack of sleep, and a lack of recent night…
- [NTSB SEA90LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA199.md): Cessna 172N · Neilton, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1990 · N738AQ · Destroyed
  > The failure of the crew to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain. Factors to the accident were mountainous and box canyon terrain.
- [NTSB NYC90FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA231.md): Cessna 182Q · Nantucket, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1990 · N5289N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper IFR operation in attempting an ILS approach in an airplane not equipped with an ILS glide slope receiver. The weather conditions were factors in the accident.
- [NTSB SEA90LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA172.md): Cessna 172RG · Brothers, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 1990 · N6522V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper flight planning and decisions that led to him flying into rising terraain while engaged in low level flight activities.
- [NTSB FTW90FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA186.md): Mooney M20A · San Ysidro, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1990 · N6054X · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a night VFR flight. Darkness and mountainous terrain were related factors.
- [NTSB NYC90FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA227.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Eliot, ME · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N8664P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the over weight condition, upsloping runway, premature rotation, and the pilot's lack of experience in type aircraft and general aviation operations.
- [NTSB CHI90LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA271.md): Cessna 152 · Lakeville, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N89038 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command attempting to force the airplane onto the runway.
- [NTSB BFO90FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA077.md): Christen Industries A-1 · Middle River, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N6082P · Destroyed
  > The pilot delayed his recovery from an intentional spin manuever until there was insufficient altitude to recover.
- [NTSB DEN90FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA192.md): Cessna 182P · Marble, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1990 · N9643G · Destroyed
  > Failure of the private pilot (student pilot) to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed above mountainous terrain, and inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot (CFI) and her delay in taking remedial action. Factors related to the accident were: the…
- [NTSB BFO90FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA076.md): Piper PA-601P · Wiley Ford, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1990 · N8249J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper IFR procedure by not maintaining sufficient altitude, while circling to land. Factors related to the accident were: the low ceiling and visibility conditions in fog.
- [NTSB FTW90DRA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA09.md): Grumman G-164A · Altair, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 14, 1990 · N6566 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's use of improper terrain for takeoff.
- [NTSB CHI90DEM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM09.md): Comben Bowers Flybaby IA · Cheboygan, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Sep 13, 1990 · N1175B · Destroyed
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB LAX90LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA321.md): Brantly Helicopter B-2B · Novato, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1990 · N2159W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper execution of the autorotation. Contributing to this accident was the excessive sink rate and misjudging of the altitude.
- [NTSB FTW90FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA178.md): Bell B206LI · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1990 · N882BT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's decision to fly into the known adverse weather and the weather/light conditions.
- [NTSB DEN90FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA184.md): Morane-Saulnier MS760 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1990 · N23ST · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain a climb after takeoff, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, pilot fatigue, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in night flying operation.
- [NTSB LAX90LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA315.md): Cessna U206F · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1990 · N51299 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of visual references during a night approach and his failure to detect and correct a descent. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions.
- [NTSB ANC90FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA158.md): Cessna 414 · Sitka, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 1990 · N8180K · Destroyed
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to follow IFR procedures and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA90FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA167.md): Cessna 150-L · Newman Lake, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 1990 · N7019G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor judgement in attempting to land at an unlighted airstrip at night and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a go around.
- [NTSB CHI90MA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90MA244.md): Bell 206B · Elkhorn, WI · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 1990 · N16933 · Destroyed
  > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to attain adequate altitude before flying over rising terrain at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog, haze, rising terrain, and the lack of visual cues that were available to the…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=1990&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 year(c."eventDate") = 1990
  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&year=1990

---
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.
