# NTSB investigations, CA: In flight encounter with weather 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 9 · 444 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB LAX08FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA043.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Paso Robles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2007 · N254SR · Substantial damage > The pilot's encounter with isolated moderate (or greater) turbulence, updrafts, and downdrafts associated with localized mountain wave conditions at low altitude, and, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the encounter that resulted in an… - [NTSB SEA08LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA050.md): Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Ontario, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2007 · N943AS · No damage > The lack of turbulence forecasts available to the flight crew, which resulted in the flight attendants not being seated when the flight encountered severe terrain-induced turbulence. Contributing to the accident were the terrain-induced turbulence, the… - [NTSB SEA08LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA021.md): Cessna 340 · Garberville, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2007 · N5049Q · Destroyed > The pilot's intentional visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and terrain during climb. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions of fog and a low… - [NTSB LAX08FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA026.md): Beech A100 · Chino, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2007 · N30GC · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate during an instrument takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the low visibility. - [NTSB LAX08FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA002.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Oak Hills, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2007 · N6549W · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were mountainous terrain, dark night, and fog. - [NTSB SEA07FA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA277.md): Bellanca 8KCAB-180 · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2007 · N240R · Destroyed > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with downdrafts that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the downdrafts, high density altitude, and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX07CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA206.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2C · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2007 · N11YD · Substantial damage > The pilot's encounter with an unfavorable wind and high sink rate conditions. - [NTSB LAX07FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA200.md): Beech E90 · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2007 · N47LC · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an instrument takeoff attempt. Contributing to the accident were fog, reduced visibility, and the low ceiling. - [NTSB SEA07CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA176.md): Commonwealth 185 · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2007 · N92827 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in the airplane's lack of climb performance and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors included the downdraft and the high temperature. - [NTSB SEA07LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA132.md): Schweizer SGS 1-26A · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 2007 · N2707Z · Substantial damage > The glider's encounter with a downdraft while in the traffic pattern, resulting in insufficient altitude to reach the airport. A contributing factor was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing area, which led to an on-ground collision with… - [NTSB SEA07CA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA123.md): Piper PA28-235 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 7, 2007 · N8581W · Substantial damage > Wind shear encounter during approach for landing. - [NTSB SEA07FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA106.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2007 · N8168N · Substantial damage > The pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his ensuing failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the cloudy weather conditions and the mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX07LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA127.md): Boeing 757-200 · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2007 · N525UA · No damage > The flight's encounter with a turbulence event that occurred while the flight attendants were unseated. Contributing to the accident was the apparent conflicting information provided by the flight deck to the flight attendants and the flight attendants'… - [NTSB LAX07LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA065.md): Beech A36 · Lake Hughes, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2006 · N4598S · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and attempted flight into known adverse weather during cruise, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin that resulted in a stall/spin. Turbulence was a factor. - [NTSB LAX07FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA061.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2006 · N8001H · Destroyed > The pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration. - [NTSB LAX07FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA056.md): Bell 412SP · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2006 · N410MA · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions, fog, and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX06CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA253.md): Cessna 172M · Gasquet, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2006 · N5262R · Substantial damage > the pilot's selection of a runway favoring tailwind conditions, his delayed decision to go around, and his failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the tailwind and wind shear conditions… - [NTSB LAX06LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA249.md): Beech V35B · Independence, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2006 · N346D · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning regarding the selection of the altitude and route of flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain in a box canyon after encountering mountain wave. - [NTSB LAX06CA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA248.md): Cessna T210N · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 22, 2006 · N6686N · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed. - [NTSB SEA07CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA138.md): Schleicher ASW-24 · Williams, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2006 · N5LX · Substantial damage > The loss of thermal lift during cruise flight that resulted in a forced landing. - [NTSB LAX06FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA186.md): Cessna T182T · Burney, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2006 · N451JE · Destroyed > the pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX06FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA148.md): Cessna T337C · Wrightwood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2006 · N2620S · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX06FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA131.md): Cessna 208B · Oak Glen, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2006 · N208WE · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, that led to a stall/spin. - [NTSB ANC06LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA030.md): Mooney M-10 · Salinas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2006 · N9533V · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control and an inadvertent stall/spin during cruise flight. Factors associated with the accident are a low ceiling with… - [NTSB LAX06CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA118.md): Mooney M20F · Willits, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 17, 2006 · N9704M · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain visual contact with the runway at night, which resulted in a descent below the proper glide path and a collision with a tree. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. - [NTSB LAX06IA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06IA076.md): Saab-Scania SF340B+ · Santa Maria, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2006 · N390AE · No damage > An in-flight loss of control due to ice accreted in supercooled liquid droplets (SLD) conditions, and the flight crew's failure to maintain the specified minimum airspeed in icing conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's decision to… - [NTSB LAX06LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA068.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Hopland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2005 · N3953R · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the low clouds. - [NTSB LAX06LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA064.md): Cessna 172 · Gilroy, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2005 · N7383A · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low… - [NTSB LAX06FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA054.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Kingsburg, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2005 · N3039B · Destroyed > The pilot's in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions during descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Fog, low ceiling, and obscuration were factors. - [NTSB LAX06CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA081.md): Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · Llano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 3, 2005 · N4601M · Substantial damage > The flight's encounter with downdrafts. A contributing factor was the unsuitable vegetation-covered mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX06FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA014.md): Lancair LC-41-550FG · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2005 · N285JB · Destroyed > The flight crew's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance and their decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was overcast conditions, and terrain obscuration. A finding of the investigation is that… - [NTSB LAX05FA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Baker, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2005 · N957SH · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the obscuration of mountainous terrain by rain and low clouds, moderate turbulence, and the pilot's… - [NTSB LAX05FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA255.md): Piper PA-28-151 · San Luis Obispo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2005 · N4401X · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the rising hilly terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's inexperience regarding flying during the dark, nighttime condition, and the low… - [NTSB LAX05LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA216.md): Cessna 337G · Mojave, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 2005 · N3BZ · Substantial damage > the pilot's encounter with a downdraft or wind shear during takeoff the initial climb. - [NTSB LAX05FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA213.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Mt. Shasta, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2005 · N4506J · Destroyed > The pilot's continued cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's controlled flight into high mountainous terrain (CFIT). - [NTSB LAX05CA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA190.md): S.A. Centrair Pegase 101D · Williams, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2005 · N70LE · Substantial damage > loss of thermal lift during flight that resulted in a forced landing in an area without suitable landing terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind. - [NTSB LAX05FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA184.md): Bellanca 14-13-3 · Caliente, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2005 · N6511N · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into the terrain. Contributing factors were the pilots' delayed decision to reverse course, the… - [NTSB LAX05LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA144.md): Bishop RV6A · Dulzura, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2005 · N426BB · Destroyed > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with rising mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX05LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA143.md): Firefly Balloon Firefly 11 · Saint Helena, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2005 · N15001 · No damage > The pilot's encounter with wind shear during landing, which resulted in a hard touchdown. - [NTSB LAX05FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA132.md): Cessna T210L · Tranquility, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2005 · N8126L · Destroyed > the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a likely accumulation of airframe ice that led to a high speed descent and a structural breakup once the aerodynamic forces exceeded the strength limits of the structure. A factor in the… - [NTSB LAX05FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA099.md): Beech 95 · Calistoga, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2005 · N8269D · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain clearance and impact with rising terrain. - [NTSB LAX05LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA105.md): Saab-Scania Saab 340B · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2005 · N394AE · No damage > the in-flight encounter with turbulence. - [NTSB LAX05FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA092.md): Cessna P210N · Lebec, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2005 · N432AR · Destroyed > the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the flight's encounter with unforecasted localized mountain wave activity with severe to potentially extreme turbulence, downdrafts, and rotors. - [NTSB LAX05FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA088.md): Cirrus Design SR22 G2 · Norden, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 2005 · N286CD · Destroyed > the pilot's in-flight loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with unforecast severe icing conditions. A factor in the accident was the inaccurate icing forecast developed by the NWS Aviation Weather Center. - [NTSB LAX05FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA034.md): Beech A36 · Lake Havasu, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N6111C · Destroyed > the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions leading to spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control. - [NTSB LAX05FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA023.md): Cessna 182Q · Lebec, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2004 · N95902 · Destroyed > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain, low ceilings, and turbulence. - [NTSB LAX05FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA015.md): Learjet 35A · San Diego, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2004 · N30DK · Destroyed > The failure of the flight crew to maintain terrain clearance during a VFR departure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain, and the air traffic controller's issuance of a clearance that transferred the responsibility for terrain clearance from the… - [NTSB LAX04LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA324.md): Cirrus SR-22 · Peters, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2004 · N931CD · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather and the subsequent encounter with the outer boundaries of a level 5 thunderstorm, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane. - [NTSB LAX04LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA265.md): Ercoupe 415-D · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 2004 · N3837H · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate planning/decision by his inadequate evaluation of the weather resulting in an attempt to conduct flight beyond the aircraft's climb performance capability. - [NTSB LAX04FA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA177.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Ukiah, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2004 · N4130D · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's flight intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a subsequent loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. A… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=CA&occurrence=240&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" = 'CA' 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" = 240) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=240&state=CA --- 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.