# NTSB investigations, IA: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CHI07FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA073.md): Cessna 340A · Council Bluffs, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2007 · N111SC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the presence of severe icing, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear.
- [NTSB CHI06CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA046.md): Cessna 150M · Algona, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 21, 2005 · N9292U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into unexpected instrument conditions and his visual look out not possible during takeoff leading to the nose over during the emergency landing after takeoff. Factors were the unexpected fog and the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB CHI04LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA085.md): Cessna 172R · Dubuque, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2004 · N105FS · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in ice accretion on the airframe, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in a stall. Contributing factors were the ice contamination, the aircraft's low altitude…
- [NTSB CHI04FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA044.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Brooklyn, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2003 · N3733W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning/decision resulting in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his…
- [NTSB CHI03FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA094.md): Beech A36 · New Vienna, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2003 · N1636W · Destroyed
  > The improper planning/decision by the pilot to fly into forecast icing conditions with an airplane not equipped with a certified deice system. The continued flight in known icing conditions and the flight to an alternate destination not performed by the pilot…
- [NTSB CHI00FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA171.md): Cessna 210J · Sumner, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2000 · N3396S · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain after flight into adverse weather. Contributing factors were the thunderstorms and lack of instrument certification by the pilot.
- [NTSB CHI99LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA207.md): Piper J-3C · Independence, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1999 · N3371N · Substantial damage
  > The insufficient information from the weather forecast resulting in an in-flight encounter with turbulence/gusts and the subsequent precautionary landing. Contributing factors were the gusty/turbulent conditions and the terrain condition (crop).
- [NTSB CHI98FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98FA309.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · New Hampton, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1998 · N9350N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning inspection and his continued flight into known adverse weather conditions that led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. Also causal was the pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane causing…
- [NTSB CHI98LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA098.md): Cessna 402B · Mason City, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 1998 · N108RS · Substantial damage
  > the accumulation of airframe ice during flight, and failure of the pilot to attain a proper flare for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) condition; and the pilot's limited forward visibility, due to ice on the…
- [NTSB CHI96IA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96IA173.md): British Aerospace BAE 146 · Des Moines, IA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 27, 1996 · N608AW · No damage
  > failure of the flight crew to follow proper procedures, which resulted in an accumulation of ice and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors relating to the incident were: thunderstorms, turbulence, icing conditions, and the inaccurate method that was…
- [NTSB CHI94LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA299.md): Robert Eldon Idler TIERRA-2 · Prole, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1994 · N6161Q · Destroyed
  > the airplane's encounter with the outflow (gust front) from an approaching thunderstorm. Factors were the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the gust front location, and the inability of the airplanes flight control system to compensate for the rolling moment.
- [NTSB MKC90LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA108.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Dubuque, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 1990 · N111AY · Substantial damage
  > Weather evaluation misjudged resulting in uncontrolled descent by the pilot in command and aircraft control not maintained by the pilot in command.
- [NTSB DEN90FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA027.md): Piper PA-46P-350 · Des Moines, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1989 · N919S · Destroyed
  > Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The light conditions (dusk) and trees in in the emergency landing area were considered to be contributing factors.
- [NTSB MKC88FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA176.md): Beech C23 · Belle Plaines, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1988 · N6022C · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot received a full weather briefing prior to departure during which he was advised that VFR flight was not recommended. In addition he was advised that, while conditions were forecast to improve, the possibility for scattered…
- [NTSB MKC88LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA084.md): Raven S-55 · Burlington, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1988 · N6436U · Substantial damage
  > While attempting to land the balloon during a commercial operation, a dust devil was encountered. The balloon and gondola twisted and pitched violently. During a hard landing, the PIC was thrown from the aircraft, and the aircraft continued to bounce along…
- [NTSB MKC87FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA106.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Sioux City, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 21, 1987 · N4982J · Destroyed
  > The PIC had telephoned the fss at huron, s.d. for enr wx to Sioux City, IA, fm Sioux falls, s.d., late the evening of may 20. The fcst indicated IFR flt cond's with intermittent trsms along the rte throughout the fcst period. The PIC dptd Sioux falls, s.d. at…
- [NTSB MKC87LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA062.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Mason City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1987 · N56285 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot stated that he had obtained a full weather briefing and an IFR clearance from grand marais, Minnesota to des moines, Iowa prior to departure; and that the flight was uneventful, except for stronger than forecasted headwinds aloft. Enroute, the pilot…
- [NTSB MKC85LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA204.md): Grumman AA5 · Boone, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1985 · N16LB · Substantial damage
  > After departing laporte city airport the plt of the acft proceeded to his destination airport despite deteriorating weather conditions at this destination. The plt stated he should not have proceeded into poor weather conditions. Weather conditions at the…
- [NTSB MKC85FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA066.md): Piper PA-23 · Cedar Rapids, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 1985 · N1241P · Destroyed
  > Plt reported no forward vis due to ice on windshield. N1291P then diverted to cid which has rapcon. The temp at the surface was 32 degs f but was reported to be higher at 4,000 ft MSL. The flt climbed to 4,000 ft and began losing the ice but then reported…
- [NTSB MKC85LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA063.md): Cessna 172M · Fort Madison, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 1985 · N61868 · Substantial damage
  > The plt stated that an inflight encounter with a gust of wind during landing resulted in a sharp loss of altitude and a bounced landing. Consequently a second gust on rollout followed by the plts loss of directional control resulted in the acft departing the…
- [NTSB MKC85LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA048.md): Raven Rally RX7 · Davenport, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 1985 · N55582 · Substantial damage
  > Balloon encountered gust during initial climb and began drifting toward wires. Plt elected to deflate & balloon collided with wires & building.
- [NTSB MKC84FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA271.md): Cessna R182 · Ottumwa, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1984 · N756TN · Substantial damage
  > The acft entered IMC weather, the plt became disoriented & cruised without ATC navigational assistance after failing to make radio contact or file a flt plan. The non-instrument rated private plt flew until acft power was lost due to fuel exhaustion. The…
- [NTSB MKC84FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA131.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Sheldon, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 4, 1984 · N3761R · Destroyed
  > At about 1015 CDT, while en route, the plt radioed a fss & requested the Kansas city wx. VMC conditions were reported at Kansas city, but the plt was informed of an AIRMET, which provide a caution of low ceilings & reduce visibilities across his route of flt.…
- [NTSB MKC83FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA127.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Newton, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 1983 · N5509V · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated plt took off on a x-country flt at night. When advised of wx along his route, he requested & recieved radar advisories. A short time later, he reported that he was in a storm. For about 10 minutes, the radar controller was…
- [NTSB MKC83FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA065.md): Cessna TR182 · Garwin, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1983 · N6144T · Destroyed
  > During a briefing for a flt to western Oklahoma, the plt was advised that IMC wx was forcasted along the route. He changed his destination to waterloo, IA & was advised of IMC in that area also. While en route, the acft crashed in a field covered with snow.…
- [NTSB MKC82FCD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCD10.md): Piper 28-236 · Liscomb, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Sep 7, 1982 · N2157A · Substantial damage
  > N2157A departed on a VFR flight to marshalltown, IA. There is no record of a pilot weather briefing prior to departure. The reported weather at waterloo airport at the approximate time of the accident was: measured ceiling 600 foot overcast, visibility one…
- [NTSB MKC82DA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA168.md): Cessna 150B · Wyoming, IA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 7, 1982 · N1106Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot used his aircraft to commute to his place of employment at east moline, IL. After work, he prepared a flight to his home in Wyoming, IA. He obtained ATIS weather information which in part was: 900 ft overcast, 4 miles visibility, fog, temperature…
- [NTSB MKC82FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FA161.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Mediapolis, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 1982 · N56373 · Destroyed
  > During the 1725 CDT wx briefing the plt was informed that the Kansas city area would be 1600 ft broken, occassional 800 ft broken, 3/4 mi visibility with thunderstorms & moderate rain with strong surface winds about 35K. The forecast was valid to 2200 CDT.…

## 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" = 'IA' 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=IA

---
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.
