# NTSB investigations, 2002: 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 · 105 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB MIA03FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA034.md): Cessna 208B · Manteo, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2002 · N1122Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued descent below the minimum descent altitude, for undetermined reasons, while performing a NDB approach, resulting in the airplane crashing into water 1.5 miles from the airport. A factor in the accident was a cloud ceiling below the…
- [NTSB ANC03LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA022.md): Cessna 180 · Petersburg, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2002 · N9701G · Destroyed
  > An in flight collision with ocean water for an undetermined reason.
- [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 CHI03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA036.md): North American T-28B · Glenwood, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2002 · N114DH · Destroyed
  > The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot-in-command. The low altitude maneuvering by the pilot-in-command was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA059.md): Beech 1900C · Eagleton, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2002 · N127YV · Destroyed
  > In-flight collision with terrain due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance and altitude above rapidly rising terrain while on a VFR approach. Contributing factors were the obscuration of the terrain due to clouds.
- [NTSB FTW03FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA055.md): Cessna 421C · Tajique, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2002 · N3855C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. 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 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 LAX03FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA037.md): Beech B36TC · Union City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2002 · N3242Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's loss of situational awareness to his terrain proximity, the dark night, and the…
- [NTSB IAD03LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA012.md): Westland Helicopters Gazelle AH-MK1 · East Hampton, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2002 · N911XW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. Factors included the pilot's decision to fly over water on a moonless night, his lack of experience in that environment, and the dark night lighting…
- [NTSB CHI03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA019.md): Cessna 150M · New Town, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2002 · N2995V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing factors are the pilot becoming lost/disoriented and night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA019.md): Bell 47G-2 · Pollock Pines, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2002 · N2616B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstruction clearance during initial climb, which resulted in a collision with vegetation.
- [NTSB ANC03LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA007.md): Cessna 207 · Marshall, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2002 · N91090 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a ridgeline. Factors contributing to the accident were the high terrain, the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and the dark night light conditions.
- [NTSB CHI03LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA010.md): Cessna 150M · Kincaid, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2002 · N7XC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the terrain during the aerobatic maneuver. A factor to the accident was the pilot being impaired by alcohol.
- [NTSB IAD03FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA004.md): Cessna 182S · Brownville Jct, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2002 · N100TY · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while flying in mountainous terrain at night. A factor was the night lighting conditions.
- [NTSB FTW03FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA008.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Lakeview, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2002 · N4344J · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB LAX03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA003.md): Cessna 140 · Avalon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 2002 · N90168 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering at low altitude. Factors were the pilot's fatigue and the distraction of trying to drop a message onto a boat.
- [NTSB CHI03LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA005.md): Cessna 172L · Fish Lake, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2002 · N713SX · Substantial damage
  > The altitude/clearance not maintained while maneuvering on short final for landing on the lake. The glassy water was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB IAD03FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA001.md): Piper Aerostar 602P · Bradford, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2002 · N700DJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an early descent into trees and terrain. A factor was the night, instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ATL03LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA001.md): Robinson R-22 · Louisburg, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2002 · N222MQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of flight controls (collective and cyclic) during an attempted takeoff to a hover, that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain, and dynamic rollover.
- [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 FTW03LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA004.md): Air Tractor AT-400 · Marmaduke, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2002 · N155HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A contributing factor was the towering cumulus in all quadrants.
- [NTSB DEN03FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA002.md): Cessna T210M · Laramie, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2002 · N210HC · Destroyed
  > the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while attempting a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, the airplane’s low altitude, and the pilot's lack of total instrument…
- [NTSB SEA02FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA185.md): Cessna 172S · Medford, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2002 · N514SP · Substantial damage
  > Terrain clearance was not maintained during cruise flight. Dark night and mountainous terrain were factors.
- [NTSB SEA02FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA180.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2002 · N7027W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees. A factor was trees south of the departure end of the runway.
- [NTSB FTW02FA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA262.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Chromo, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2002 · N6227J · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance with the mountainous terrain during the cross-country flight. A contributing factor was the dark night light conditions.
- [NTSB LAX02LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA291.md): PZL-Bielsko SZD-42-2 Jantar · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2002 · N131AS · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude.
- [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 NYC02LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA186.md): Robinson R-22B · Jamestown, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2002 · N707RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a collision with water.
- [NTSB LAX02LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA268.md): Breezy RLU-1A · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2002 · N3184 · Substantial damage
  > the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering in a canyon.
- [NTSB LAX02FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA255.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Echo Summit, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2002 · N7794C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue the flight into the rising mountainous terrain, and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing factors were the rising mountainous terrain, and the high density altitude,
- [NTSB LAX02LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA258.md): Cessna 185A · Fillmore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2002 · N4145Y · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain during a climb.
- [NTSB CHI02CA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02CA248.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Ray, ND · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2002 · N7634Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane during takeoff. A factor was the tailwind.
- [NTSB FTW02FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA233.md): Cessna 152 · Ithaca, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2002 · N49998 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.
- [NTSB CHI02LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA244.md): Piper J3C-65 · Hillman, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2002 · N6658H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
- [NTSB LAX02FA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA251.md): Aero Commander 690A · Bishop, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2002 · N690TB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering in the traffic pattern due to the sensory and visual illusions created by a lack of ground reference lights and/or terrain conspicuity, and the dark nighttime…
- [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 LAX02LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA248.md): Mooney M20M · Gualala, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2002 · N1038K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delayed decision in executing a go-around. Contributing factors were the pilot's limited experience landing on short fields and the rising terrain.
- [NTSB CHI02LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA249.md): Goode Acro Sport I · Carbondale, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2002 · N65701 · Substantial damage
  > The unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot and his lack of total experience in the accident airplane. The gusting winds were a contributing factor.
- [NTSB SEA02FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA146.md): Beech BE-35 · Idaho Falls, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2002 · N82Z · Destroyed
  > The flying pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in a stall/spin. An additional cause was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB FTW02FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA222.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Gypsum, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2002 · N6444J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to perform remedial action and maintain clearance with the rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's poor planning/decision, the rising terrain, and the high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX02LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA243.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2002 · N4074T · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the flight instructor to ensure maintenance of an adequate terrain clearance altitude while performing low level maneuvers.
- [NTSB NYC02LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA151.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Kelleys Island, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2002 · N15442 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to obtain a proper touchdown point. A factor was the downdraft.
- [NTSB DEN02FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02FA080.md): Cessna 177B · Crowheart, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2002 · N34859 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the high mountain terrain. Contributing factors were the high mountain terrain, and the high density altitude weather condition.
- [NTSB DEN02LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA083.md): Cessna 172S · Georgetown, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2002 · CGKRA · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a flight through high mountainous terrain, and the pilot committing himself to a mountainous flight path where terrain clearance was not possible. Contributing factors were the high density altitude weather…
- [NTSB CHI02LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA221.md): Air Tractor 301 · Ulen, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2002 · N3167P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not performing an aborted takeoff. A factor was the soybean crop.
- [NTSB ANC02LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA084.md): Cessna 206 · Old Harbor, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2002 · N756BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB CHI02LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA206.md): Air Tractor AT-401B · Pratt, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2002 · N60747 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. A factor was low altitude flight.
- [NTSB CHI02LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA208.md): Schweizer 269C-1 · Askov, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2002 · N897TH · Substantial damage
  > Directional control not obtained/maintained during the aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC02LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA078.md): Robinson R-22 · Nome, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2002 · N7183Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance in hilly terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the performance of a low altitude flight maneuver.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=2002&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") = 2002
  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=2002

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