# NTSB investigations, 1997: 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 · 111 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CHI98LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA072.md): Piper PA-30/A · Hastings, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1997 · N9WG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper IFR procedure, by which he failed to maintain minimum descent altitude. Fog, a low ceiling, and night condition were a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW98FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA074.md): Beech A100 · Colo Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1997 · N100BE · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to follow IFR Procedures and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA). A related factor was fog.
- [NTSB IAD98LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA016.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bally, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 1997 · N8068Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Related factors were tailwind, and lack of total experience.
- [NTSB CHI98LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA060.md): Cessna 152 · Waukegan, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1997 · N68318 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's not identifying unsuitable terrain (snowbank) in the landing area, and his not selecting the proper touchdown point. A factor was the snowbank.
- [NTSB NYC98LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA039.md): Cessna 172M · New Salem, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1997 · N12219 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the water due to his impairment by drugs. A factor in this accident was the glassy water condition.
- [NTSB LAX98FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA050.md): Mooney M20J · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1997 · N301JL · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance during the climb. Contributing factors were dark night conditions, mountainous/hilly terrain, and mountain wave weather conditions.
- [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 MIA98FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA038.md): Cessna C-182E · Townsend, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1997 · N9033Y · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain VFR flight conditions in a mountainous area resulting in inflight collision with rising terrain.
- [NTSB CHI98LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA050.md): Cessna 402B · Spencer, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1997 · N22NC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.
- [NTSB NYC98FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA035.md): Cessna 310R · St Mary'S, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1997 · N6923 · Destroyed
  > was the pilot's descent below the minimum descent altitude and his failure to comply with published procedures.
- [NTSB CHI98LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA051.md): Beech E55 · Gardner, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1997 · N3914A · Substantial damage
  > the inadvertant landing gear retraction, which occurred due to undetermined reason(s).
- [NTSB LAX98FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA043.md): Cessna 172N · La Jolla, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1997 · N6463D · Destroyed
  > the pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean.
- [NTSB SEA98LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA015.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Newberg, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1997 · N7528D · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to account for the increased drag on the runway during the preflight planning. Factors were the long, wet grass.
- [NTSB MIA98LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA022.md): Cessna 172 · Crystal River, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 1997 · N4105F · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left wing of the airplane and the runway, subsequent loss of directional control on landing rollout, and collision…
- [NTSB LAX98GA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98GA029.md): Cessna 182R · Markleeville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 3, 1997 · N2043E · Destroyed
  > the pilot-passenger's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed to avoid collision with terrain, and the pilot-in-command's diverted attention and failure to recognize a deteriorating situation in time to effect a safe recovery.
- [NTSB CHI98GA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98GA025.md): Aerospatiale AS350B · Frankfort, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Oct 30, 1997 · N911RR · Destroyed
  > the pilot in command misjudged the clearance with the terrain during a dark night maneuvering approach to a runway. A related factor was the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX98FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA031.md): Cessna U206B · Markleeville, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1997 · N4982F · Destroyed
  > the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the high density altitude, and the…
- [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 MIA98FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA015.md): Cessna 172M · Rabun Gap, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1997 · N1499U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight under visual flight rules into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude for terrain clearance resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and the ground on the side of a mountain.
- [NTSB LAX98LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA020.md): Cessna 170B · Fernley, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1997 · N3155A · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident.
- [NTSB CHI98FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98FA022.md): Mooney M20K · Emporia, KS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1997 · N305RJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude above the minimum descent altitude for the approach. Factors contributing to this accident were the low ceiling, rain, and fog.
- [NTSB SEA98LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA007.md): Cessna 185A · Damascus, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1997 · N714 · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, and hilly/mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB NYC98FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA017.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA-200 · Radnor, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 1997 · N11EX · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to obtain the proper altitude/clearance above the terrain, to perform an aerobatic maneuver. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model.
- [NTSB ATL97LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA144.md): Piper PA-22-160 · Belleview, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 1997 · N3402Z · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, and his delay in initiating a go-around, which resulted in a hard touchdown, loss of directional control, and collision with objects (fence and trees).
- [NTSB ANC97FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA155.md): Cessna 207A · Twin Hills, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1997 · N9984M · Destroyed
  > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were downdraft conditions, mountainous/hilly terrain, and the use of over-the-counter medications.
- [NTSB ATL97LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA140.md): Cessna 172N · Greenville, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1997 · N738SZ · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff.
- [NTSB NYC97FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA186.md): Cessna 172 · Normalville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1997 · N35405 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate clearance above an unlighted ridgeline in clouds and fog at night, and his decision to not file an IFR flight plan and his VFR flight into IMC conditions.
- [NTSB FTW97LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA356.md): Sikorsky S-76A · Patterson, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1997 · N517AL · Substantial damage
  > failure of the copilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff, which led to an inadvertent descent and collision with a crop of sugar cane and the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate…
- [NTSB ATL97LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA137.md): John W. Culp KR-2 · Greenwood, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1997 · N9097E · Destroyed
  > The collision with the ground for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB IAD97LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA120.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Danbury, CT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 1997 · N3102R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper planning/decision to not use actual occupant weights and compute takeoff data, which resulted in an overweight takeoff towards rising terrain.
- [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 FTW97FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA340.md): Cessna 182N · Montrose, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1997 · N9043G · Destroyed
  > Inadequate preflight and in-flight planning, preparation and decision making. A related factor was the improper use of flaps.
- [NTSB FTW97LA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA337.md): Piper PA-22 · Saratoga, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 1997 · N8731C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to consult airplane performance data based upon the weather conditions that prevailed. Factors were terrain induced turbulence and high density altitude.
- [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 SEA97LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA190.md): Laister LP-49 · North Plains, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1997 · N40NH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an inadequate landing site, and his failure to adequately plan his return glide back to his home gliderport. A factor contributing to the accident was rough terrain.
- [NTSB CHI97LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA259.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Bradshaw, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1997 · N8622L · Substantial damage
  > the pilot not maintaining clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's diverted attention due to the problems with his global positioning flagger equipment and the other ag- airplane, and the crop.
- [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 MIA97LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA231.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · Pinehurst, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1997 · N8721H · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the cotton crop while maneuvering to begin a spray pass over a 5 foot-tall cotton crop, resulting in the in-flight collision with the crop and terrain.
- [NTSB MIA97FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA232.md): Beech 200 · Dalton, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 1997 · N74EJ · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper IFR procedure, by failing to maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during the ILS localizer approach, until the runway environment was in sight, which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Factors relating to the…
- [NTSB CHI97LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA257.md): Cessna A188B · Elwood, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 1997 · N731GE · Substantial damage
  > the pilot not maintaining clearance from the bushes. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's inadequate preparation prior to the takeoff attempt, his changing flap positions during the takeoff run which degraded the airplane's performance…
- [NTSB FTW97LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA311.md): Air Tractor AT-402 · Patterson, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1997 · N90PK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
- [NTSB CHI97LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA254.md): Cessna A188B · Britton, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1997 · N91919 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain during the spray run and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn after having contacted the terrain. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB IAD97LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA108.md): Riekkenen Ryelong LE · Wurtsboro, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1997 · N4YC · Destroyed
  > The pilot performed an aerobatic maneuver and misjudged the altitude.
- [NTSB LAX97LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA275.md): Grumman American AA-5 · Monterey, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 1997 · N6086L · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from surrounding terrain.
- [NTSB FTW97FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA299.md): Beech 58P · Colorado Spring, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 1997 · N258W · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures; and his failure to maintain proper altitude, while executing a missed approach from an attempted ILS approach. Related factors included: low ceiling, rain, fog, the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability,…
- [NTSB FTW97LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA297.md): Beech F33A · Creede, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1997 · N179DD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional low altitude flight over mountainous terrain, inadequate altitude to clear surrounding obstacles, and his misjudging vertical clearance. A factor was the pilot's use of an inappropriate chart for navigation.
- [NTSB CHI97LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA234.md): Rutan Defiant · Alma, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1997 · N20SR · Destroyed
  > the pilot did not perform an adequate preflight check and he did not perform the takeoff checklist. Factors included the pilot's inadequate design of the safety latch and the canopy inadvertently deploying.
- [NTSB FTW97LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA300.md): Poor Boys Toys Exec 90 · Patricia, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1997 · N596PB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance with the crops during a surveying flight. A factor was the pilots diverted attention.
- [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 LAX97FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA259.md): Piper J3C-85 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1997 · N3339N · Destroyed
  > improper judgement of the pilot by intentionally performing low level maneuvers, and his misjudgment of a level-off over water.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=1997&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") = 1997
  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=1997

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